Salary report · Chicago, IL

What is the average Dentist salary in Chicago, IL?

Dentists in Chicago earn a median of $181,200 per year — about 6% above the national average. Pay ranges from $130,500 (25th percentile) to $280,900 (90th percentile).

25th percentile
$130,500
Median
$181,200
75th percentile
$231,900
90th percentile
$280,900
YoY change
+4.3%

Dentist salary by experience level

Entry · 0–2 yrs
$117,800
Mid · 3–5 yrs
$181,200
Senior · 6–8 yrs
$231,900
Lead · 8+ yrs
$262,700

How Chicago pay compares

Chicago median$181,200
National median$170,910
Cost-of-living adjusted(COL index 107)$169,300

Cost-of-living adjusted is the Chicago salary translated into equivalent purchasing power vs the US average (COL index 100). Useful for comparing offers across cities.

5-year salary trend

$153K
2022
$160K
2023
$167K
2024
$174K
2025
$181K
2026

Trend extrapolated from BLS May 2024 BLS OEWS OEWS data using the latest year-over-year growth rate of 4.3%.

Dentist job market in Chicago

Chicago's economy is anchored by finance, manufacturing, and a growing tech scene. Salaries are competitive without the coastal cost of living.

An estimated 15,100 dentists work in the Chicago metro. Daily responsibilities typically include:

  • Perform exams and cleanings
  • Diagnose oral conditions
  • Perform procedures
  • Educate patients
  • Manage dental practice

Related job salaries in Chicago

Dentist salary in other cities

FAQ

How much does a Dentist make in Chicago, IL?+

Dentists in Chicago earn a median of $181,200 per year — about 6% above the national average of $170,910.

What's the entry-level Dentist salary in Chicago?+

Entry-level Dentists in Chicago typically earn around $117,800 per year. Salaries scale to about $262,700 at the senior level with 8+ years of experience.

Is $181,200 a good Dentist salary in Chicago?+

$181,200 is the median, meaning half of Dentists in Chicago earn more and half earn less. Adjusted for the city's cost-of-living index of 107, that's roughly $169,300 in nationally-equivalent purchasing power.

How fast is Dentist pay growing in Chicago?+

Dentist salaries in Chicago grew about 4.3% year-over-year in the latest BLS data. The 10-year national outlook for this role is +5%.

Where do Dentists in Chicago get paid the most?+

The 90th percentile Dentist salary in Chicago is around $280,900. These typically include senior, lead, or specialist roles at major employers.

Are you being paid fairly in Chicago?

Run a free comparison against BLS data — see if your salary is below, at, or above the Chicago median.

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