How to Become A Dental Assistant in Illinois
Illinois employs approximately 13,740 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $48,610 1. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 52,900 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a dental assistant in Illinois, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Dental Assistant in Illinois
How do I become a dental assistant in Illinois? Illinois requires credentials such as DENTAL HYGIENIST, DENTAL SPECIALIST, DENTAL TRAINING LICENSE, TEMPORARY. The licensing authority is the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Illinois? Yes. Illinois has licensing or registration requirements for dental assistants. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do dental assistants earn in Illinois? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Illinois is $48,610 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,360 and experienced professionals can earn $59,910 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
- Median wage (Illinois): $48,610 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Dental Assistant License Requirements in Illinois
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation oversees dental assistant licensing in Illinois 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| DENTAL HYGIENIST | An individual who, under the supervision of a dentist, is engaged in helping people prevent tooth decay and gum disease and maintain oral health. |
| DENTAL SPECIALIST | An individual currently licensed as a dentist in Illinois who is trained and qualified to practice in one or more of the following specialties of dentistry; endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery… |
| DENTAL TRAINING LICENSE, TEMPORARY | An individual who has received an appointment to teach dentistry at an approved dental school or hospital located in Illinois. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Specific type of conviction prohibited
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), dental assistants wages in Illinois vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 10,490 | $48,950 | $50,370 | $38,950 | $61,150 |
| St. Louis | 2,990 | $48,120 | $49,660 | $37,780 | $60,530 |
| Rockford | 530 | $45,970 | $45,660 | $36,460 | $58,560 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 380 | $47,410 | $49,760 | $38,880 | $59,900 |
| Springfield | 360 | $45,390 | $46,080 | $35,250 | $59,630 |
| Peoria | 300 | $47,280 | $45,930 | $36,730 | $58,500 |
| Paducah | 190 | $46,750 | $47,700 | $35,020 | $59,260 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 180 | $47,120 | $47,680 | $37,090 | $59,240 |
| Cape Girardeau | 150 | $44,370 | $43,710 | $35,200 | $55,830 |
| Bloomington | 140 | $46,390 | $46,680 | $35,160 | $57,870 |
| Decatur | 60 | $47,770 | $47,680 | $37,670 | $59,290 |
| Kankakee | 60 | $45,610 | $46,450 | $36,690 | $56,700 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Dental assistants in Illinois
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest dental assistant employment within Illinois according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 10,490 | $48,950 |
| Rockford | 530 | $45,970 |
| Springfield | 360 | $45,390 |
| Peoria | 300 | $47,280 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 180 | $47,120 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Illinois? Illinois currently employs approximately 13,740 dental assistants 1. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a dental assistant in Illinois with an out-of-state license? Contact the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Illinois? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Illinois.
How much do dental assistants earn in Illinois compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Illinois is $48,610, which is $1,310 above the national median of $47,300 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation - Licensing Information: https://www.idfpr.com/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |