How does a Dentist's salary in Rockford compare to the rest of Illinois?

Rockford's cost of living index is 83 vs. the national average of 100, so salaries are adjusted downward accordingly. A Dentist earning the city-adjusted median of $145,673 earns $94,673 more than the median household income in Rockford ($51,000).

Dentist Salary in Rockford, IL — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Rockford's cost of living (index: 83). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Dentist Salary in Rockford — Key Numbers

$145,673

Median Salary

$95,840

25th Percentile

$198,395

75th Percentile

$249,000

90th Percentile

National median (Dentist)$175,510

vs. National median-17.0%

Rockford median household income$51,000

vs. City household income+185.6%

Cost of Living in Rockford

Cost of Living Index

83(100 = avg)

Median Monthly Rent$780/mo

Rent-to-Income Ratio6.4%

Annual rent cost$9,360

Median Home Price$145,000

Home Price / Salary1.0×

20% Down Payment$29,000

Years to save (20% rate)1.0 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Rockford

5.6%

Unemployment Rate

345,000

Metro Population

20 min

Avg Commute

36.1

Median Age

Rockford has a metro population of 345,000, offering a growing job market with opportunities especially in established local industries. The 5.6% unemployment rate is near the national average.

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Cost of Living — Rockford

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Dentist Salary in Illinois

Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Rockford

Physician$190,319 Chief Executive Officer$174,300 IT Manager$140,693 Marketing Manager$130,825 Lawyer$120,981 HR Manager$113,171

Dentist Salary — Other Illinois Cities

Chicago, IL$200,081 Peoria, IL$147,428

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Dentist make in Rockford, IL?

The estimated median salary for a Dentist in Rockford is $145,673 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $175,510 adjusted by Rockford's cost of living index (83). The typical salary range runs from $95,840 (25th percentile) to $198,395 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $249,000.

Is Rockford affordable for a Dentist?

On a $145,673 annual salary, a Dentist in Rockford would spend approximately 6.4% of gross monthly income on median rent ($780/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Rockford relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $145,000 is 1.0× the annual salary.

How does a Dentist's salary compare to Rockford's overall income?

Rockford's median household income is $51,000. A Dentist earning the city-adjusted median of $145,673 earns 185.6% more than the typical Rockford household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

Dentist — National Dentist in Illinois All Salary Guides

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.