Dental Assistant Salary in Orland Park, IL: $48,897 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Orland Park, IL earns a median $48,897/year (≈ $23.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Orland Park's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $50,357 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Orland Park, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $48,897. This figure reflects the ability of dental assistants in the state to achieve higher pay levels compared to the national median of $49,579, largely driven by the expanded function rules allowing some dental assistants to perform more complex tasks. The local salary range is notably broad, spanning from $37,884 at the lower end to $62,104 for those at the higher end of the pay spectrum. These projections are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price levels, indicating that the competitive job market in Orland Park is fostering promising salary opportunities for dental professionals specializing in diverse dental practices or assuming expanded roles.
About the Orland Park Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,884 | $18.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,824 | $21.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,897 | $23.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,575 | $28.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,104 | $29.86 |
Median Salary Position
1.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Orland Park
In Orland Park, IL, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,220 (2026 est.). At $48,897, the local median is 1.38% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Orland Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Orland Park Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Orland Park median: $48,897/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Orland Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $48,222 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | -1.38% less |
Dental Assistants in Orland Park, IL earn a median of $48,897 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.38% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.40% above the Illinois state average of $48,222.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Orland Park has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Orland Park, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $48,897 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,357 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,528
2025 BLS Actual
$47,408
2026 Current Est.
$48,897
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Orland Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,528 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,613 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,128 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,203 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,899 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,289 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,408 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,897 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,432 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Orland Park metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $39,528 (2019) to $47,408 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,432 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,904 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Orland Park metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.14% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $37,884 – $44,824 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,824 – $48,897 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,897 – $58,575 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,575 – $62,104 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Orland Park
The job market for dental assistants in Orland Park is relatively stable, with around nine professionals employed in this field. The cost of living index is slightly below the national average at 97.1, which means that while salaries may not significantly exceed the national average, the purchasing power remains reasonable for residents. Employers in the area vary in their compensation, with dental specialists such as oral surgery and orthodontics typically offering higher pay than general practice roles. The disparity in salaries also relates to credentialing; those with EFDA certification earn a premium, as do dental assistants in hybrid roles combining treatment coordination tasks. As the DSO sector expands, particularly with chains like Heartland and Aspen Dental, staying updated on salary scales and seeking opportunities for professional development through DANB or ADAA certifications can significantly enhance earning potential for dental assistants in Orland Park.
More salary data for Orland Park, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH
Career Analyst
Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $47,408 for dental assistantsin the Orland Park metropolitan area. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Orland Park is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.14%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental assistants (SOC 31-9091).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov