PayByState

Wisconsin · BLS SOC 31-9091

Dental Assistant salary in Wisconsin

Median $45,460 · Top 10% earn $56,940+ · Roughly 6,788 workers in Wisconsin. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Wisconsin median
$45,460
$21.86/hr
Top 10%
$56,940
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$31,790
Entry-level range
Real pay
$49,040
CoL-adjusted (RPP 92.7)

Wisconsin pays close to the U.S. median for dental assistants — $45,460 versus the national median of $47,350. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 6,788 dental assistants.

What drives dental assistant pay in Wisconsin

Wisconsin pays close to the U.S. median for dental assistants. The state's pay landscape reflects typical national patterns — hospital and academic medical center roles paying above private practice, specialty credentials adding meaningful premiums, and metropolitan areas paying above rural ones.

Wisconsin ranks #26 of 50 states

Where Wisconsin sits in the national distribution for dental assistant pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Wisconsin
#24 Utah $45,930 +$470
#23 Pennsylvania $46,400 +$940
#22 Virginia $46,880 +$1,420
#26 Wisconsin (this page) $45,460 —
#27 Michigan $44,980 −$480
#28 Montana $44,980 −$480
#29 North Dakota $44,980 −$480
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Education path for Wisconsin

The typical path is a postsecondary nondegree certificate (8–12 mo); on-the-job in some states, taking about 10 months. Tuition ranges from $1,000 (community college) to $12,000 (private accelerated). On the Wisconsin median of $45,460, payback periods are typically 0.9 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Dental Assistant salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Wisconsin selected.

Dental Assistant salary in Wisconsin — FAQ

What is the average dental assistant salary in Wisconsin?
The median dental assistant salary in Wisconsin is $45,460 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $31,790; the top 10% earn $56,940 or more. About 6,788 people work in this role across the state.
How does Wisconsin dental assistant pay compare to the national average?
Wisconsin's median of $45,460 is $1,890 below the U.S. national median of $47,350. After adjusting for Wisconsin's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 92.7), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $49,040.
Is dental assistant a good career in Wisconsin?
On the data: Wisconsin employs roughly 6,788 dental assistants, with a median wage of $45,460 and the top decile clearing $56,940. The role is projected to grow +7% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for dental assistants in Wisconsin?
At the Wisconsin median of $45,460 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $21.86/hr. The top 10% earn around $27.38/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $15.28/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Wisconsin-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 31-9091: Dental Assistants), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Wisconsin's RPP is 92.7 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.