Dental Assistant Salary in Peoria, IL: $48,765 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Peoria, IL earns a median $48,765/year (≈ $23.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Peoria's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.2), that paycheck buys what $53,452 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the dental assistant salary in Peoria, Illinois, is projected to reach a median of $48,765, closely aligning with the national median of $49,579. This compensation reflects the influence of Illinois' expanded function rules, which empower dental assistants to perform more complex procedures, consequently driving pay above the general rates seen in other states. The salary range spans from $37,883 at the lower end (P10) to $60,337 at the higher end (P90). Derived from comprehensive statistics by BLS based on 2025 data, this outlook highlights not only the earning potential of dental assistants in Peoria but also indicates a healthy demand for these professionals, given the ongoing emphasis on trained dental personnel.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,883 | $18.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,492 | $18.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,765 | $23.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,189 | $25.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,337 | $29.01 |
Median Salary Position
1.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Peoria
In Peoria, IL, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,454 (2026 est.). At $48,765, the local median is 1.64% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Peoria: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Peoria Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Peoria median: $48,765/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Peoria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $48,234 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | -1.64% less |
Dental Assistants in Peoria, IL earn a median of $48,765 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.64% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.10% above the Illinois state average of $48,234.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Peoria has a cost of living 8.77% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Peoria, IL has a cost-of-living index of 91.231 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $48,765 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,452 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,170
2025 BLS Actual
$47,280
2026 Current Est.
$48,765
2019–2027 Growth
+13.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Peoria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,170 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,510 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,765 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,296 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Peoria metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 7.0% from $44,170 (2019) to $47,280 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,296 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,126 (13.87%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Peoria 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) | $37,883 – $38,492 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,492 – $48,765 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,765 – $52,189 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,189 – $60,337 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Peoria
Peoria's job market for dental assistants appears robust, with approximately 300 individuals employed in this field, presenting a solid career opportunity for those seeking work in the area. The local cost of living index sits at 91.231, suggesting that while salaries may be slightly below the national average, they still provide a sustainable lifestyle. Employers such as general dental practices and specialized clinics—particularly in oral surgery and orthodontics—tend to offer the most competitive salaries. Factors contributing to salary variances include the specific dental specialty, the extent of EFDA credentialing, and the possibility of hybrid roles such as treatment coordinators, especially within larger DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen. For dental assistants aiming to maximize their pay in Peoria, pursuing advanced certifications, embracing expanded function roles, and aligning with established practices that recognize experience and specialization can be highly beneficial.
More salary data for Peoria, 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 $47,280 for dental assistantsin the Peoria 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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