Dental Hygienist Salary in Wisconsin: $101,180 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Wisconsin's 46 metropolitan areas, the average median dental hygienist pay sits at $101,180/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1292. Because Wisconsin sits at BEA RPP 93.4 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $108,330 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Madison ($100,340), Waukesha ($100,025), Sheboygan ($98,940).
In Wisconsin, dental hygienists can expect an average median salary of $101,180 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $102,946, reflecting a difference of approximately 1.7%. The highest salaries are found in Madison at $105,297, while Eau Claire offers the lowest at $91,119, indicating a wage gap of $14,178 between these cities. Factors driving this disparity include cost of living, demand for dental services, and local economic conditions. Wisconsin requires dental hygienists to obtain state licensure, which includes completing an accredited program and passing national and state exams. The scope of practice laws in the state allow hygienists a varied range of duties, which can enhance job opportunities. The demand for dental hygienists is projected to grow at an annual rate of 4.94%, aligning with an increasing emphasis on preventive oral care. With a total employment of 4,019 dental hygienists across 46 metro areas, the job market remains stable. The top cities for employment, including Waukesha, Sheboygan, Milwaukee, and Onalaska, offer competitive salaries, underscoring the importance of geographic factors in earning potential. Overall, the outlook for dental hygienists in Wisconsin appears promising, driven by both growing demand and the established regulatory framework.
Wisconsin Dental Hygienist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Wisconsin: $55,093 (lowest entry-level) to $129,825 (highest top earner)
Wisconsin vs National Average
Wisconsin dental hygienists earn 1.72% less than the national median ($-1,766/year difference).
Wisconsin Dental Hygienist Salary Distribution (2026)
Dental Hygienist salaries in Wisconsin range from $74,559 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $112,576 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $101,180. The Wisconsin median is $1,766 below the US national median of $102,946. The average hourly rate is $48.64/hr. Approximately 4,019 dental hygienists are employed across 46 cities.
2020 BLS Actual
$70,448
2025 BLS Actual
$96,417
2026 Current Est.
$101,180
2020–2027 Growth
+50.7%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Wisconsin (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $70,448 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,339 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,316 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,065 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,293 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,417 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,180 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,179 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wisconsin metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 36.9% from $70,448 (2020) to $96,417 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,179 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,731 (50.72%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wisconsin metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Wisconsin
Lowest Paying Cities in Wisconsin
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Eau Claire | $91,119 |
| Wausau | $91,791 |
| Wisconsin Rapids | $92,320 |
| Middleton | $93,092 |
| Platteville | $94,092 |
Best Value Cities for Dental Hygienists in Wisconsin
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Wisconsin cities offer the most purchasing power for dental hygienists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waukesha | $104,966 | 93.4 | $112,383 |
| Sheboygan | $103,828 | 94.014 | $110,439 |
| La Crosse | $100,690 | 91.769 | $109,721 |
| Appleton | $101,110 | 92.419 | $109,404 |
| Onalaska | $102,039 | 93.4 | $109,249 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Wisconsin
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $74,559 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $101,180 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $112,576 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Wisconsin metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 46 Cities in Wisconsin
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madison | $105,297 |
| 2 | Waukesha | $104,966 |
| 3 | Sheboygan | $103,828 |
| 4 | Milwaukee | $103,660 |
| 5 | Onalaska | $102,039 |
| 6 | Kenosha | $101,393 |
| 7 | Beloit | $101,182 |
| 8 | Appleton | $101,110 |
| 9 | Janesville | $100,952 |
| 10 | West Allis | $100,772 |
| 11 | La Crosse | $100,690 |
| 12 | Fitchburg | $100,103 |
| 13 | Greenfield | $100,095 |
| 14 | Racine | $100,018 |
| 15 | Mount Pleasant | $99,870 |
| 16 | Menomonee Falls | $99,228 |
| 17 | Brookfield | $98,994 |
| 18 | West Bend | $98,938 |
| 19 | De Pere | $98,861 |
| 20 | New Berlin | $98,673 |
| 21 | Oshkosh | $98,486 |
| 22 | Sun Prairie | $97,838 |
| 23 | Fond du Lac | $97,752 |
| 24 | Caledonia | $97,571 |
| 25 | Muskego | $97,360 |
| 26 | Stevens Point | $96,908 |
| 27 | Franklin | $96,798 |
| 28 | Oak Creek | $96,493 |
| 29 | Green Bay | $96,461 |
| 30 | Superior | $96,344 |
| 31 | Manitowoc | $96,298 |
| 32 | Pewaukee | $95,939 |
| 33 | South Milwaukee | $95,659 |
| 34 | Pleasant Prairie | $95,644 |
| 35 | Menomonie | $95,546 |
| 36 | Whitewater | $95,538 |
| 37 | Wauwatosa | $95,454 |
| 38 | Germantown | $95,387 |
| 39 | Marshfield | $95,348 |
| 40 | River Falls | $94,879 |
| 41 | Mequon | $94,100 |
| 42 | Platteville | $94,092 |
| 43 | Middleton | $93,092 |
| 44 | Wisconsin Rapids | $92,320 |
| 45 | Wausau | $91,791 |
| 46 | Eau Claire | $91,119 |
More Wisconsin Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced dental hygienists.
Explore More Dental Hygienist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Wisconsin in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dental hygienists in Wisconsin?
How does Wisconsin dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dental hygienist salary in Wisconsin?
How many dental hygienists are employed in Wisconsin?
Which Wisconsin city offers the best value for dental hygienists?
Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH
Dental Career Analyst
Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 dental hygienist compensation across Wisconsin. State averages are employment-weighted across 46 metro areas — larger metro areas with more dental hygienistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov