IL · Evanston · Updated October 15, 2026

Dental Specialist jobs in Evanston, IL

Pay for dental specialists in the Evanston area centers on $106.63 per hour, or about $221,790 a year. The lower quarter earns under $89.26 and the upper quarter over $115+. That ranks 4th of 10 U.S. metro areas for dental specialist pay, and 5th of 10 once local prices are factored in. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Evanston.

Dental Specialist pay in Evanston, IL

The metro median is 1% below the Illinois statewide median of $107.19 per hour. Nationally the median is $108.54 per hour. BLS counts about 80 dentists, all other specialists employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area, 0.0 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.47).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$55.49$115,42049% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$89.26$185,66018% below U.S. median
Median$106.63$221,7902% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$115+$239,200+6% above U.S. median
Top 10%$115+$239,200+6% above U.S. median

How Evanston ranks

  • 4th of 10 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 5th of 10 after adjusting for local prices

BLS does not publish a separate figure for dental specialist. These numbers are for the broader category it belongs to, Dentists, All Other Specialists.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Dentists, All Other Specialists (SOC 29-1029), all industries. Figures marked $115+ are the BLS top-coded maximum. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Evanston

  • Overall prices in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin run 4% above the U.S. average (index 103.6, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 12% above the U.S. average (index 112.0).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $106.63 median hour buys what $102.93 buys at the national price level, 5% below the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

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Estimate your Evanston paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$3,839
  • Per year: $191,934
  • Per month: $15,994

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Dental health shortage areas in Cook County

HRSA lists 42 active dental health shortage designations that include Cook County (10 population-group, 32 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 25 on a 0 to 26 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.

Shortage areas are where demand for dentists, hygienists and dental assistants is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.

Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.

Dental Specialist pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Skokie, IL2 mi$106.63/hr65,850
Des Plaines, IL11 mi$106.63/hr58,832

Dental Specialist jobs in Illinois · Dental Specialist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Illinois

Active dental license in the state of the job. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Illinois requires for your role with the Illinois licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

Illinois taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

Illinois state guide

Other healthcare roles in Evanston

Evanston city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do dental specialists make in Evanston, IL?

Dental Specialists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area have a median pay of $106.63 per hour, about $221,790 a year. The middle half earn between $89.26 and $115+ per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Evanston a good place for dental specialists once cost of living is counted?

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin ranks 5th of 10 metro areas for dental specialist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 4th of 10 before adjusting. Overall prices run 4% above the U.S. average.

Do I need a Illinois license to work in Evanston as a dental specialist?

Active dental license in the state of the job. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Illinois requires for your role with the Illinois licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Is Evanston in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 42 active dental health shortage designations that include Cook County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.

Does Valorem Health place dental specialists in Evanston?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Evanston and across Illinois. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Evanston.

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    What they are offering now

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Pay report · Dental Specialist near Evanston, IL
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Dental Specialist pay reportEvanston, IL · employer-reported wage offers in federal filings, July 2025 – June 2026

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Chicago, PCOrland Park, IL · 1 wage offer$173.19/ hr$173–$173
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Chicago, PCChicago, IL · 1 wage offer$144.23/ hr$144–$144
  • Pediatric Dental Associates, P.C.Buffalo Grove, IL · 1 wage offer$88.85/ hr$76–$102

Median pay per hour, with the range each employer reported in federal filings.

2What they are offering now

Low$68Median$116.54High$166

4 employer-reported wage offers for Dental Specialist in federal filings in Illinois, July 2025 – June 2026. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open Dental Specialist roles

Open Dental Specialist roles near Evanston, IL, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.

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