Dental Assistant Salary in Park Ridge, IL: $46,367 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Park Ridge, IL earns a median $46,367/year (≈ $22.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Park Ridge's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $47,752 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Park Ridge, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $46,367, reflecting the area's competitive market. The salary range for this profession is projected to be between $38,338 at the 10th percentile and $58,657 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, indicate a slightly lower compensation compared to the national median of $49,579. The salary levels in Park Ridge may particularly benefit those specializing in oral surgery or orthodontics, as these areas typically command higher pay, indicating a niche market for specialized dental professionals.
About the Park Ridge Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,338 | $18.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,119 | $21.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,367 | $22.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,898 | $25.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,657 | $28.20 |
Median Salary Position
6.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Park Ridge
In Park Ridge, IL, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,319 (2026 est.). At $46,367, the local median is 6.48% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Park Ridge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Park Ridge Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Park Ridge median: $46,367/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Park Ridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $48,198 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -6.48% less |
Dental Assistants in Park Ridge, IL earn a median of $46,367 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.48% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 3.80% below the Illinois state average of $48,198.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Park Ridge 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.
Park Ridge, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $46,367 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $47,752 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$37,483
2025 BLS Actual
$44,955
2026 Current Est.
$46,367
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Park Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,483 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,511 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,155 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,916 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,524 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,946 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,955 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,367 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,822 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Park Ridge metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $37,483 (2019) to $44,955 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,822 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,339 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Park Ridge 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) | $38,338 – $44,119 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,119 – $46,367 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,367 – $53,898 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,898 – $58,657 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Park Ridge
The job market for dental assistants in Park Ridge currently supports seven practitioners, which reveals a targeted, yet stable market environment. The cost of living index for the area is 97.1, suggesting that while earning potential may be slightly below the national average, purchasing power remains reasonable for residents. Among local employers, general dental practices and larger DSO chains such as Heartland and Aspen tend to offer competitive salaries, especially for dental assistants who hold EFDA credentials. The disparity in pay rates can be attributed to the type of dental specialty, additional certifications, and roles such as treatment coordinators. To optimize their compensation in Park Ridge, dental assistants should consider pursuing expanded function training and exploring hybrid roles that increase responsibilities, potentially bridging to higher positions such as registered dental hygienist (RDH).
More salary data for Park Ridge, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Park Ridge, IL in 2026?
Is Park Ridge, IL a good place to work as a dental assistant?
Can dental assistants make $100K in Park Ridge?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Park Ridge?
How much does a dental assistant make per hour in Park Ridge?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 $44,955 for dental assistantsin the Park Ridge 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 Park Ridge 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