Dental Assistant in Illinois: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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Illinois employs 13,740 dental assistants, with a statewide median of $48,610 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Illinois licensing picture, and where to train.

What Dental assistants Earn in Illinois (May 2025)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for dental assistants in major Illinois markets:

What That Pay Is Worth in Illinois

Prices in Illinois run right about the national average (cost-of-living index 100.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $48,610 median holds roughly its face value.

Job Outlook in Illinois (2024–2034)

Illinois is projected to grow dental assistants employment +5.1%, slower than the +6.4% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,990 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Illinois License and Certification Requirements

No state license — dental radiography training required — regulated by the Illinois State Dental Society / Illinois Dental Practice Act.

1. Illinois does not require a state license for basic dental assistants. Entry is possible with on-the-job training at a dental office. However, dental assistants who take X-rays must have completed a dental radiography training course recognized under the Illinois Radiation Protection Act.
2. The DANB Radiation Health & Safety (RHS) exam satisfies the Illinois radiography qualification requirement. Complete a dental assisting program (9–12 months at an Illinois community college) for the strongest career foundation.
3. DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification — requiring graduation from a CODA-accredited program — is the national credential most Chicago-area practices prefer for hiring.

Official requirements: Illinois State Dental Society / Illinois Dental Practice Act →

Training in Illinois

Illinois community colleges with CODA-accredited dental programs include Kennedy-King College (Chicago City Colleges), Elgin Community College, and others. Chicago's large private and academic dental practices (University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry is a major employer trainer) create strong DA demand.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Illinois include:

• Carl Sandburg College — Associate
• City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College — Associate
• City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College — Associate
• College of DuPage — Associate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want a fast entry into healthcare and enjoy working closely with patients in a clinical environment.

Think twice if: Sitting in a dental operatory all day, exposure to dental materials, or a pay ceiling that's hard to break through sounds limiting.

Why it's resilient: Dental assisting involves chairside patient care, instrument handling, and real-time clinical support that requires physical presence in the operatory.

First Steps

Check whether your state requires a formal program or allows on-the-job training — requirements vary significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Illinois statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-9091. Licensing summary compiled from the Illinois State Dental Society / Illinois Dental Practice Act (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Illinois wages · Illinois licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.