What the numbers say
Wisconsin's median wage for Dental Hygienists was $83,850 in 2024, about 11% below the national median of $94,162. That gap is real, but it does not tell the whole story.
Wisconsin's cost of living sits roughly 7% below the national average. After adjusting for what the money actually buys, the in-state median lands closer to $90,600 in national-baseline dollars. That closes most of the headline gap. A hygienist choosing between a Wisconsin offer and a higher-paying coastal position would want to run that comparison before deciding.
The spread from bottom to top is relatively tight by professional-occupation standards. The 10th percentile came in at $69,880 and the 90th at $102,150. Top earners made about 1.5 times what entry-level peers earned. That is a narrower range than we see in many clinical occupations, which suggests pay here clusters around a fairly consistent midpoint rather than separating sharply by specialty or seniority.
BLS projects employment for Dental Hygienists to grow 7% between 2024 and 2034, which it classifies as faster than average. Wisconsin's 5,620 employed hygienists in 2024 gave the state a solid base for that growth to build on.
Salary distribution
Where Wisconsin dental hygienists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $80,080 and $94,990, with a median of $83,850.
Dental Hygienists pay by experience level in Wisconsin
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Wisconsin over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Associate's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 3.9 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 3.9 / 5
Arm-Hand Steadiness
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Finger Dexterity
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Near Vision
Ability
- 3.8 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 3.8 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Record and review patient medical histories.
- 02
Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease.
- 03
Examine gums, using probes, to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease.
- 04
Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments.
- 05
Provide clinical services or health education to improve and maintain the oral health of patients or the general public.
- 06
Chart conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.
- 07
Expose and develop x-ray film.
- 08
Attend continuing education courses to maintain or update skills.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+7.0%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for dental hygienists in major Wisconsin metropolitan areas.
- Milwaukee$82,540
Compare Dental Hygienists pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Dental Hygienists in Wisconsin?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Dental Hygienists in Wisconsin is $83,850.
- How does Wisconsin compare to the national median for Dental Hygienists?
- The Wisconsin median is -11.0% versus the BLS national figure of $94,162.
- What is the salary range for Dental Hygienists in Wisconsin?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $69,880 and the 90th-percentile at $102,150, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Dental Hygienists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 7.0% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Dental Hygienists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Associate's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.