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.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 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
6.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Romeoville
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.
Salary Calculator
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 To | Median Salary | Romeoville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $48,231 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -6.90% less |
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
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.
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.
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
$37,314
2025 BLS Actual
$44,752
2026 Current Est.
$46,157
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Romeoville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,314 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,338 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,992 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,726 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,328 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,752 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,752 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,157 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,607 | Projected |
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 (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Romeoville 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) | $37,825 – $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.
More salary data for Romeoville, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Romeoville, IL in 2026?
Is Romeoville, IL a good place to work as a dental assistant?
Can dental assistants make $100K in Romeoville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Romeoville?
How much does a dental assistant make per hour in Romeoville?
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 $44,752 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).
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