SOC 31-9091 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Dental Assistants — South Illinois
South Illinois nonmetropolitan area · 8 metro areas compared
At $44,820, median pay for Dental Assistants in South Illinois, IL tracks the national median of $48,070 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $44,820, median pay for Dental Assistants in South Illinois, IL tracks the national median of $48,070 closely. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $39,780 and $46,190. The lowest tenth earn under $36,590, while the highest tenth earn more than $58,030.
Employment stands at 290, or 2.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Chicago leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $48,950. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 262nd of 372 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,590 | −23.9% |
| 25th | $39,780 | −17.2% |
| Median (50th) | $44,820 | −6.8% |
| 75th | $46,190 | −3.9% |
| 90th | $58,030 | +20.7% |
| Mean | $44,590 | −7.2% |
Other metro areas in Illinois
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago | $48,950 | 10,490 | |
| 2 | Decatur | $47,770 | 60 | |
| 3 | Peoria | $47,280 | 300 | |
| 4 | Champaign | $47,120 | 180 | |
| 5 | Bloomington | $46,390 | 140 | |
| 6 | Rockford | $45,970 | 530 | |
| 7 | Kankakee | $45,610 | 60 | |
| 8 | Springfield | $45,390 | 360 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Illinois sit close to the national average, so $44,820 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$44,820as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$44,820US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $44,820 a year, 6.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,590 to $58,030 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 290 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Chicago, at $48,950.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Dental Assistants in South Illinois, IL?
The median annual wage is $44,820, or $21.55 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $48,070, so pay in South Illinois, IL is 6.8% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in South Illinois, IL earns more than $58,030 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,590 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Chicago, at $48,950 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 290 jobs in this occupation in South Illinois, IL. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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