Launch your dental career with free online training. Illinois dental assistants earn $47,170+ annually. Study at your pace, pay only when you're ready to certify.
Featured Image
800 x 600 recommended
Average Salary
$47,170/year
Job Growth
6 (2024-2034)
Dental Practices
7,500+
Population 65+
17.4
Training Cost
FREE
Prairie State offers excellent opportunities for dental assistants with 7,500+ dental practices and a population where 17.4 are over 65.
Illinois dental assistants earn $47,170 annually on average, with experienced DAs earning $50,500 - $58,000.
6 projected job growth through 2034 as dental care demand increases across Illinois.
Complete training in 4-8 weeks online. No prior experience needed. Start your dental career fast.
Illinois requires dental assistants to register with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Registration is required to perform clinical duties. Illinois offers Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) credentials for additional procedures through approved training and examination.
Illinois requires dental assistants to complete a IDFPR-approved radiography course (minimum 24 hours) and pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam or equivalent state exam. Certification must be maintained with continuing education requirements.
Largest market, multiple dental schools
Affluent suburbs, premium practices
Western suburbs, family practices
State capital, central Illinois hub
Northern Illinois, manufacturing community
Illinois offers diverse dental employment opportunities from DSO networks to academic institutions.
Employees: 1,500+
Facilities: 70+ locations
Location: Multiple IL locations
Major DSO with extensive Illinois presence offering structured career development.
View Careers →Employees: 2,000+
Facilities: 100+ locations
Location: Headquartered in Effingham, IL
Doctor-led DSO founded and headquartered in Illinois with strong statewide presence.
View Careers →Employees: 800+
Facilities: 40+ locations
Location: Northern Illinois
Regional DSO with significant Illinois presence offering career growth opportunities.
View Careers →Employees: 400+
Facilities: 1 dental school
Location: 801 S Paulina St, Chicago, IL 60612
Chicago's major dental school with extensive clinical programs.
View Careers →Employees: 200+
Facilities: 1 dental school
Location: 2800 College Ave, Alton, IL 62002
Downstate dental school serving Southern Illinois communities.
View Careers →Employees: 150+
Facilities: 1 dental school
Location: 555 31st St, Downers Grove, IL 60515
Private dental school in Chicago's western suburbs.
View Careers →Employees: 200+
Facilities: 13 locations
Location: Chicago metro
Community health center serving Chicago's diverse neighborhoods.
View Careers →Employees: 10,000+
Facilities: 6,500+ practices
Location: Statewide
Massive private practice market across Chicago metro and downstate Illinois.
View Careers →Maria L.
Chicago • UIC Dental
"Working at the dental school means cutting-edge procedures and excellent mentorship."
2024-11
Brian T.
Naperville • Heartland Dental
"Heartland started in Illinois—great career ladder from assistant to practice management."
2024-10
Jessica R.
Evanston • Private Practice
"North Shore patients expect premium care. Higher pay reflects higher expectations."
2024-09
Illinois dental assistants earn an average of $47,170 annually ($22.68/hour). Entry-level positions start at $38,000-$43,000, while experienced DAs earn $50,500-$58,000. North Shore suburbs pay premiums up to $58,000. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024.
Yes, Illinois requires dental assistants to register with IDFPR for clinical duties. Registration requires completion of an approved program or DANB certification. EFDA credentials require additional approved training and state examination.
EHired's free online program can be completed in 4-8 weeks. Illinois requires 24-hour radiography course plus DANB RHS exam for X-ray certification. Most students complete training and certification in 2-3 months.
Solid outlook with 6% projected growth through 2034. Illinois' 12.5 million population, 7,500+ dental practices, and three dental schools create substantial employment opportunities. Heartland Dental, headquartered in Illinois, drives significant DSO employment.
Yes! EHired's training is completely free. You pay for Illinois IDFPR registration ($40), radiography certification course and exam, and any optional certifications. Many Illinois employers reimburse certification costs.
Chicago's North Shore suburbs (Evanston, Wilmette, Highland Park) lead with $48,000-$58,000 serving affluent communities. Naperville/DuPage County offers $46,000-$55,000 in western suburbs. Downtown Chicago practices pay $45,000-$54,000 with diverse patient populations.
Illinois offers: (1) Three dental schools creating academic employment opportunities, (2) Heartland Dental headquarters providing DSO career paths, (3) Diverse Chicago market with varied practice types, (4) Mix of urban, suburban, and rural opportunities, (5) Strong community health center presence.
Each state has different requirements, so direct reciprocity isn't automatic. However, DANB certification is nationally recognized and often facilitates credentialing in neighboring states. Verify current requirements with Wisconsin and Indiana boards if considering cross-state work.
Join thousands of Illinois residents who launched their dental assisting careers with our free training.
Enroll Free Today — No Credit Card RequiredIllinois' dental workforce serves approximately 12.5 million residents through an estimated 7,500+ dental practices. The Chicago metropolitan area dominates dental employment, though opportunities extend across downstate Illinois from Springfield to Carbondale.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports Illinois employed approximately 18,500 dental assistants in May 2024, earning a median annual wage of $47,170—near the national median. Chicago metro wages exceed statewide averages, particularly in affluent North Shore communities.
Illinois hosts three dental schools—UIC College of Dentistry in Chicago, SIU School of Dental Medicine in Alton, and Midwestern University in Downers Grove. This concentration creates substantial academic employment opportunities and strong dental workforce pipelines.
Heartland Dental, one of America's largest dental support organizations, maintains headquarters in Effingham, Illinois. Founded in 1997, Heartland supports 1,700+ practices nationally, with strong Illinois presence creating structured employment with benefits and career advancement.
Chicago's diverse neighborhoods create varied dental practice environments. From Gold Coast cosmetic practices to community health centers serving immigrant populations in Pilsen and Chinatown, dental assistants can find practice settings matching their interests and cultural connections.
Erie Family Health Centers and other Chicago-area FQHCs serve underserved populations with dental services. These employers offer mission-driven work with potential loan repayment eligibility and diverse clinical experiences.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023; BLS OEWS May 2024; ADA Health Policy Institute; DANB.