Dental Assistant Pay

Dental Assistant Salary in Romeoville, IL: $46,157 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Romeoville, IL earns a median $46,157/year (≈ $22.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Romeoville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $47,536 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Illinois state average.

$46,157
Median Annual Salary
$22.20/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$37,825
Entry Level (P10)
$57,990
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Dental Assistant Salary in Romeoville, IL — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Romeoville, IL dental assistant salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, dental assistants in Romeoville, Illinois can expect a median annual salary of $46,157, a figure that reflects local trends and the influence of expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) rules in the state. With earnings ranging from $37,825 at the 10th percentile to $57,990 at the 90th percentile, salaries here are slightly below the national median of $49,579. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted to regional cost patterns in Romeoville. As the job market adapts to evolving roles and responsibilities, including expanded duties in specialized settings, dental assistants in this area may find themselves positioned for competitive pay within the sector.

About the Romeoville Market

Salary estimated from Illinois average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$37,825$18.18
Lower Range (P25)$43,667$20.99
Median (P50)(typical)$46,157$22.20
Upper Range (P75)$55,143$26.51
Top Earners (P90)$57,990$27.88

Median Salary Position

$37,825$57,990
City Median: $46,157
National: $49,579
P10–P90 Range

6.9% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Romeoville

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for dental assistants in Romeoville. The median salary is $46,157, compared to the national median of $49,579.$34.0K$40.8K$47.5K$54.2K$60.9K$37.8K10th Pctl$43.7K25th Pctl$46.2KMedian$55.1K75th Pctl$58.0K90th PctlUS Median$49.6K

In Romeoville, IL, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,165 (2026 est.). At $46,157, the local median is 6.9% below the national median of $49,579.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of dental assistant pay in the Romeoville metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$888
per week
$3,847
per month
$46,167
per year

At 40 hours/week in Romeoville: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Romeoville Dental Assistant Pay Compares

Romeoville median: $46,157/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryRomeoville Pays
Illinois Average$48,231-4.30% less
National Average$49,579-6.90% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing dental assistant median salary in Romeoville ($46,157) with Illinois average ($48,231) and the US national median ($49,579).Romeoville$46,157Illinois Avg$48,231-4.30%US National$49,579-6.90%

Dental Assistants in Romeoville, IL earn a median of $46,157 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.90% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 4.30% below the Illinois state average of $48,231.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$46,157
Nominal Salary
97.1
CoL Index
$47,536
Adjusted Salary

Romeoville 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.

The nominal salary is $46,157. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 97.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $47,536, a gain of $1,379.$39.2K$43.7K$48.1K$52.6K$57.0K$46,157NominalSalary$47,536CoL Adjusted(CoL: 97.1) 2.99%US Median $49.6K

Romeoville, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $46,157 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $47,536 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$37,314

2025 BLS Actual

$44,752

2026 Current Est.

$46,157

2019–2027 Growth

+27.6%

Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Romeoville (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for dental assistants in Romeoville. Baseline $37,314 in 2025, projected to $47,607 by 2027.$33.7K$37.7K$41.8K$45.9K$49.9K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$37.3K$38.3K$36.0K$41.7K$43.3K$42.8K$44.8K$46.2K$47.6K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$37,314Actual
2020$38,338Actual
2021$35,992Actual
2022$41,726Actual
2023$43,328Actual
2024$42,752Actual
2025$44,752Actual
2026(current)$46,157Estimated
2027$47,607Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Romeoville metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $37,314 (2019) to $44,752 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,607 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,293 (27.58%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Romeoville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$37,825$43,667
3-5 years (Mid Career)$43,667$46,157
5+ years (Experienced)$46,157$55,143
10+ years (Top Earner)$55,143$57,990

DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Dental Assistant Job Market in Romeoville

Despite the relatively modest number of employed dental assistants—just seven in this community—the cost of living index in Romeoville stands at 97.1, indicating that while salaries may be lower than some national averages, the local purchasing power is closer to the norm. Among employers, general dental practices and larger DSO chains like Heartland or Pacific Dental often offer more substantial compensation, particularly for roles that combine treatment coordination or advanced functions, which can significantly differentiate pay. The salary variation is heavily influenced by specialty areas; dental assistants in orthodontics or oral surgery typically earn more than those in pediatric or general practice. To maximize earning potential in Romeoville, pursuing EFDA certification and seeking roles that leverage advanced skills can provide a pathway to higher salaries, aligning with the growth of the DSO consolidation trend, which often brings standardized pay scales and expanded career opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do dental assistants make in Romeoville, IL in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median dental assistant salary in Romeoville is $46,157/year ($22.20/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.14% annual growth). Salaries range from $37,825 at entry level (10th percentile) to $57,990 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Romeoville at 6.9% below the national median. Full-time dental assistants typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Romeoville, IL a good place to work as a dental assistant?

Romeoville dental assistant salaries are 6.9% below the national average and 4.3% below the Illinois state average. The metro area employs approximately 7 dental assistants. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can dental assistants make $100K in Romeoville?

The median dental assistant salary in Romeoville is $46,157, and the 90th percentile earns $57,990. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Romeoville?

After adjusting for Romeoville's cost-of-living index of 97.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $46,157 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $47,536 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 3.0% further in Romeoville compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for dental assistants seeking strong real wages.

How much does a dental assistant make per hour in Romeoville?

Dental Assistants in Romeoville earn a median hourly rate of $22.20, which translates to approximately $46,157/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $18.18 for entry-level positions to $27.88 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem dental assistants sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

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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.

Clinically reviewed by James Thompson, CDAData verified by Aisha Patel, CDA, MA

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 $44,752 for dental assistantsin the Romeoville 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 Romeoville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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