How Much Do Dentists Make in Illinois? Your Comprehensive Salary Guide for 2024

That moment when you start thinking about your job options and ask, “Will being a dentist in Illinois actually pay well?”—you’re not the only one. Whether you’re thinking about dental school, already in the thick of classes, or just curious about dentist pay, it’s worth asking. If you’re going to spend years studying teeth and learning how to fix them, you should know what your hard work will mean for your bank account.

Dentist pay in Illinois is about more than just money, though. The numbers matter for your future lifestyle, how fast you can pay back student loans, and even which city or town will fit you best. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the real numbers, explain what changes them, and help you think things through with confidence.

In This Article: What We’ll Cover

• The Average Dentist Salary in Illinois: An Overview
• Dentist Salary by Experience Level in Illinois
• How Specialization Impacts Dentist Earnings in Illinois
• Geographic Variations: Dentist Salaries Across Illinois
• Practice Type and Ownership: Associate vs. Owner vs. DSO
• Additional Factors Influencing Dentist Compensation in Illinois
• Dentist Job Outlook in Illinois
• Is Becoming a Dentist in Illinois Worth It?
• Key Takeaways: Your Salary & Career Checklist
• Frequently Asked Questions

The Average Dentist Salary in Illinois: An Overview

Let’s get to the point: How much do dentists make in Illinois? The short answer—more than most other jobs, but that’s just the start.

• General dentists in Illinois usually make between $180,000 and $195,000 a year. This is where most full-time dentists end up. Based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and big pay websites, the pay can go from $100,000 when you’re just starting out to well over $320,000+ if you run a busy place or work long hours.
• The national median for U.S. dentists, says the BLS, is $163,220 per year. So, Illinois is often a bit higher because there’s a lot of need for dentists and both city and suburb patients.
• Top 10% of Illinois dentists (think of people who own busy clinics or have special training) often take home more than $237,560 a year, and sometimes way over $350,000, mostly if they are in special fields or run the business.

But here’s the real deal: These numbers aren’t set in stone. What you actually get paid depends on where you work, how long you’ve been a dentist, your specialty, and whether you own your practice or work for someone else.

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Indeed, Glassdoor, Salary.com

Dentist Salary by Experience Level in Illinois

Here’s what you can expect as you go from beginner to expert in Illinois dentistry.

Entry-Level/New Graduate Dentists (0-5 Years Experience)

You just finished school, diploma in hand, both excited and nervous. What’s the usual first offer?

• Average Starting Salary: $120,000 – $150,000 per year
• Range: $90,000 – $170,000
• Most dentists just out of school start as employees or with pay based on how many patients they see. In places like Chicago, you might get more at first, but living costs there are higher, too.
• Real Talk: Don’t get down if these pay numbers seem low. Many great dentists started here, then moved up quickly after learning new skills and getting more patients.

Mid-Career Dentists (5-10 Years Experience)

Now you’ve got some experience, maybe you’re seeing repeat patients or handling harder cases.

• Average Mid-Career Salary: $175,000 – $220,000
• Range: $150,000 – $260,000
• At this stage, most dentists earn bonuses, parts of the business profits, or more of what the office makes.

Experienced/Senior Dentists (10+ Years)

Now you’re the one new dentists ask for advice. Maybe you own a practice, run the show, or are a busy partner in the city.

• Average Senior Salary: $220,000 – $350,000+
• Possible Range: $200,000 – $500,000+
• Examples: Practice owners in big cities or those with special skills may pass the $350k mark. Out in the country, you might have lower basic pay but bigger profit margins since costs are lower and fewer dentists are around.

A Quick Story

Dr. Alex started in Springfield at $125,000 right out of school. Five years later, after learning more skills, he was making $210,000. Ten years in, he partnered up and opened his own shop—now he takes home $300,000 a year. Stories like this show that patience, hard work, and business smarts matter.

How Specialization Impacts Dentist Earnings in Illinois

Just like not all teeth do the same thing, dentists who learn special skills can get paid a lot more.

General Dentists

• Average: $180,000 – $195,000
• They deal with normal checkups, fillings, and common fixes.

Orthodontists

• Range: $280,000 – $330,000 (sometimes hit $480,000+)
• They straighten teeth with braces or clear aligners.

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons

• Range: $350,000 – $450,000+ (top can be $600,000+)
• They do surgeries like pulling wisdom teeth, fixing jaws, and placing implants. It takes extra years of study, but the pay is high.

Pediatric Dentists

• Range: $230,000 – $280,000 (sometimes up to $380,000)
• They take care of kids and teens. More training and often higher need in family areas.

Endodontists

• Range: $240,000 – $290,000 (up to $400,000)
• Handle root canals and deep tooth pain.

Periodontists

• Range: $220,000 – $270,000 (can reach $360,000)
• Work on gums and dental implants.

Prosthodontists

• Range: $210,000 – $260,000 (up to $340,000)
• They rebuild smiles with crowns, bridges, and dentures.

Why do pays differ so much?

• Special skills mean more training after dental school, sometimes 2–6 extra years. Not everyone does it, but those who do usually end up making more.
• These specialists work on higher-priced, often tricky cases, which brings in more money.

Geographic Variations: Dentist Salaries Across Illinois

Where you work makes a difference on your pay. It’s not just city life or small town living; it’s about how many patients are around and how much it costs to live there.

Chicago Metropolitan Area

• Usually pays 10-20% more than smaller towns
• More patients, more specialties, but also more dentists to compete with.
• Keep in mind: Living in Chicago means higher rent, transport, and maybe taxes, so bigger pay may not go as far.

Other Big Cities: Rockford, Peoria, Springfield, Naperville

• Slightly lower average pay, but costs are lower, too.
• Less competition might mean better patient relationships and steady earnings.

Rural Illinois

• Pay may be 5-10% less
• But there’s a flip side. There are fewer dentists, so your skills are needed more. Many places will offer:
• Signing bonuses
• Help paying back student loans
• Money for moving there
• A quicker road to own your own practice
• Business costs, like office space and supplies, are also cheaper in the country.

Think About It

Your dental job is kind of like buying a house: Where you are really matters! A dentist in busy Chicago might pay a ton for office rent, but both city and country dentists can build a good life.

Practice Type and Ownership: Associate vs. Owner vs. DSO

Your place in the dental world makes a big difference in pay too.

Associate Dentists

• Typical Pay: $120,000 – $220,000
• You work for someone else (another dentist, a group, or a bigger company).
• Good stuff: Steady pay, you can focus on patient care, not business.
• Not so good: There’s a pay ceiling, and you don’t get to call the shots on your schedule or which patients you see.

Private Practice Owners

• Range: $250,000 – $500,000+ (sometimes more in busy places)
• Good stuff: More control, set your hours, make bigger profits.
• Not so good: You pay for everything—staff, rent, supplies—and handle all business worries.

Dental Support Organizations (DSOs)

• Range: $120,000 – $220,000+ (often have good benefits)
• DSOs run the business side so you can just see patients. You get regular pay and things like health insurance.

Public Health or Teaching

• Range: $90,000 – $170,000
• You help the community or teach new dentists. The pay is lower but you’ll get work-life balance, retirement help, and sometimes help with loans.

Tip: Starting out? Working as an associate or with a DSO is common for learning the ropes. Later on, owning your own place means more money and freedom if you want it.

Additional Factors Influencing Dentist Compensation in Illinois

A dentist’s pay in Illinois is about more than just job title or how long you’ve worked. Here are some things that also matter.

Education & Learning New Things

• Getting more education or certifications helps you see harder cases which often pay more. Learning about new tools, like 3D printing for teeth, can help your career too.
• You have to keep learning to keep your license, so staying up to date is important.

Patient Volume & Office Earnings

• More patients usually means more money, but only if costs are managed.
• Good scheduling, working fast but well, and happy patients build strong earnings.

Dental School Debt & Cost of Living

• Most new grads carry a lot of dental school debt—the average is now over $300,000. Choosing the right repayment plan can mean the difference between money stress and feeling in control.
• Living costs matter. A higher city salary may not do much good if rent and taxes eat it up.

Benefits & Bonuses

• Don’t ignore things besides pay. Health insurance, retirement plans, paid days off, and bonuses all add to your real income.

Dentist Job Outlook in Illinois

Is dentistry still a good job to have in Illinois? Here’s what we can see:

• BLS predicts 6% national growth from 2022–2032. Illinois is following that trend, especially as people get older and care more about teeth.
• Why more jobs?
• Many older dentists are retiring and leaving job spots open.
• More people have dental insurance.
• New treatments like implants are growing fast.
• Rural towns are often looking hard for new dentists and offer deals to get them to move in.

In short: Good dentists who care about people and learn business skills can keep finding good jobs—whether that’s in the city or out in the country.

Is Becoming a Dentist in Illinois Worth It?

Time for some honesty. You want a job that:

• Pays you back for your schooling (and those big loans!)
• Feels steady, even when things are changing
• Has purpose and lets you help people

For most people, dentistry hits all those marks. But always keep close track of costs, your own happiness, and what parts of the job fit you best.

Weighing costs and rewards:

• Big early costs: Dental school in Illinois can cost $200,000–$300,000+ before living money!
• First years: You’ll probably spend a lot of your pay paying off loans.
• Good stuff after: Once you’re set up, pay goes up, especially if you own a practice, specialize, or get a good contract.
• Job satisfaction: Most surveys rank dentistry as a top job for work-life balance, steady pay, and job choice.

One Last Tip

If you’re thinking about dentistry, use pay data to help you decide, but don’t let it be everything. See if you can watch a real dentist at work, talk to recent grads, and learn all you can about what the day-to-day is like.

Key Takeaways: Your Salary & Career Checklist

Here’s what to remember:

• General dentists in Illinois usually earn $180k–$195k, with room to grow as you gain experience.
• Specialists can double that pay with more school and training.
• Where you work matters. Cities pay more but cost more, while country areas can give you unique bonuses and less competition.
• Owning a practice means more money, but also more work and risk.
• New dentists: Be patient. The first few years are for learning and paying off debt. Your income will grow over time.
• Never forget to count benefits, bonuses, and what style of work fits you—including your interest in new tools or special procedures.
• Jobs outlook in Illinois? Still strong and looking better. More people will need dentists, especially as the older generation retires.

Frequently Asked Questions

What factors affect how much a dentist in Illinois makes?

Your pay depends on your experience, special skills, location (city or country), how many patients you see, and whether you own your practice or work for someone else. Benefits and bonuses also count.

How much student debt do Illinois dentists usually have?

Most new dentists owe $300,000 or more. Some jobs in rural areas can help you pay this back faster.

Do dental specialists always make more than general dentists?

Most of the time, yes—especially surgeons, orthodontists, and endodontists. But it takes more years and extra money to get there.

Is it worth owning or starting a dental practice in Illinois?

For a lot of dentists, yes. You can earn more, but there’s more risk and business stuff to handle. Work as an employee first to see what you like best.

What should I do first if I’m thinking about dentistry?

Find a dentist you can watch for a day or two. Get hands-on time or talk with new dentists about their experience. Real-life info helps a lot.

A Final Word of Encouragement

Choosing to become a dentist—especially in Illinois—can be both exciting and a bit scary. Remember, you’re not just looking at pay numbers; you’re thinking about where you’ll live, how you’ll work, and what makes you happy. Take the time to learn, ask questions, and meet people in the job. Your hard work now can pay off not just in money but in the smiles you help create and the difference you’ll make every day.

Ready to learn more? If you want to read about dental treatments or the newest dental tech like 3D printing, check out our guide on dental problems or read up on veneers and dental implants.

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Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Society, Glassdoor, Indeed, Salary.com, UIC College of Dentistry Reports, Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

This guide is for you—the planners, dreamers, and the future leaders of dental care in Illinois. Stay curious, stay caring, and let your journey be as good as your goal.