Wisconsin's mean dental hygienist salary of $94,180 places it above Illinois ($91,820), Indiana ($89,660), Iowa ($86,640), and Michigan ($85,940), but below Minnesota ($103,830). For employers, this means Wisconsin is a competitive market regionally, but candidates with offers from Minnesota may expect a meaningful premium. Anchoring your offer to the Wisconsin median of $96,540 is a practical starting point for most hires.
Dental hygienist salary in Wisconsin (2026)
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The average dental hygienist salary in Wisconsin is $94,180 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $96,540 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Wisconsin employs 5,080 dental hygienists, and the $2,360 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Entry-level dental hygienists in Wisconsin typically earn around $80,370, while senior specialists commonly reach or exceed the $110,240 level. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a dental hygienist hire in Wisconsin, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $96,540 |
Average Annual Salary | $94,180 |
vs. National Average | 4.9% below the national mean of $98,990 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 5,080 employed dental hygienists across Wisconsin.
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Dental hygienist salary percentiles in Wisconsin
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $80,370 |
25th Percentile | $83,880 |
75th Percentile | $100,750 |
90th Percentile | $110,240 |
Employers setting an offer for a dental hygienist in Wisconsin should expect that most candidates will fall between $83,880 and $100,750, depending on experience level. Offers below $80,370 will likely fall outside the range most candidates consider, while roles requiring advanced specialization may need to reach toward $110,240 to attract senior talent.
Dental hygienist salary by city in Wisconsin
City | Average Annual Salary |
Madison | $98,090 |
Racine | $94,810 |
Appleton | $94,230 |
Milwaukee | $93,790 |
Green Bay | $89,740 |
Where you hire within Wisconsin will meaningfully affect your compensation budget for this role. Madison commands the highest average at $98,090, while Green Bay sits at $89,740, a difference of $8,350 per year that can add up quickly across a multi-hygienist practice. Employers hiring in Madison should budget closer to the upper end of the statewide range, while those in Green Bay have more room to anchor offers toward the midpoint.
How Wisconsin compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Wisconsin | $94,180 | $96,540 |
Minnesota | $103,830 | $103,970 |
Illinois | $91,820 | $96,670 |
Indiana | $89,660 | $92,330 |
Iowa | $86,640 | $84,010 |
Michigan | $85,940 | $83,790 |
Wisconsin sits in the middle of the regional market, making it a moderately priced state to hire dental hygienists compared to its neighbors. Minnesota pays notably more, with a mean of $103,830, so employers competing for candidates who could relocate north should factor that gap into their offers. Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Michigan all pay less than Wisconsin on average, which gives Wisconsin employers a reasonable position when recruiting from those markets.
Frequently asked questions about dental hygienist salary in Wisconsin
How does Wisconsin compare to other states for dental hygienist salary?
What do the top-earning dental hygienists make in Wisconsin?
The 90th percentile for dental hygienists in Wisconsin is $110,240, which represents what senior specialists in the state typically reach or exceed. Employers competing for highly experienced candidates should plan for offers in this range and recognize that specialization, tenure, and practice setting all drive compensation toward this level. Budget accordingly if the role requires advanced clinical skills or supervisory responsibilities.
What is the salary range for a dental hygienist in Wisconsin?
The salary range for a dental hygienist in Wisconsin runs from $80,370 at the 10th percentile to $110,240 at the 90th percentile. Most candidates you will encounter fall between the 25th percentile of $83,880 and the 75th percentile of $100,750. Use that middle band as your primary budgeting range and adjust up or down based on the candidate's experience and the demands of the role.
What is the average dental hygienist salary in Wisconsin?
The average dental hygienist salary in Wisconsin is $94,180 per year, though the median of $96,540 is the more useful figure for setting individual offers. The gap between the two reflects a segment of higher-compensated roles pulling the mean slightly below the median in this market. For most hiring decisions, anchoring to the median gives you a more accurate picture of what candidates in the active pool expect.
Dental Hygienist salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 29-1292 (Dental Hygienists).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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The Rippling Team
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