Dental Hygienists Salary
The median pay for a dental hygienists in Wisconsin is $96,540/year ($46.41/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $80K at the entry level to $110K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.33), which stretches that salary to about $102,343 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,202/month, or 19.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Wisconsin. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $97K get you in Wisconsin?
About dental hygienists
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Wisconsin
Dental hygienists pay in Wisconsin tracks closely to the national median, $97K locally vs. $98K nationwide, a 2% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,202/month, 20% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.33 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Wisconsin
Entry-level dental hygienists (10th percentile) start around $80K. Mid-career wages sit at $97K. Top earners bring in $110K or more, a $30K spread from bottom to top.
Dental Hygienists salary by metro in Wisconsin
13 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | $100K | +4% | 680 |
| Sheboygan | $99K | +2% | 110 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | $99K | +2% | 1,360 |
| Kenosha | $97K | +0% | 100 |
| Appleton | $96K | -0% | 240 |
| Janesville-Beloit | $96K | -0% | 120 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | $96K | -1% | 150 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant | $95K | -1% | 160 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah | $94K | -3% | 130 |
| Fond du Lac | $93K | -4% | 90 |
| Green Bay | $92K | -5% | 340 |
| Wausau | $87K | -9% | 150 |
| Eau Claire | $87K | -10% | 180 |
Showing 1–10 of 13 metros
Compare to other states
Track dental hygienists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Wisconsin numbers change.
Related careers in Healthcare
Frequently asked questions
Can a dental hygienist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Wisconsin?
Yes — at the median salary of $97K, rent takes 20% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,202/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for dental hygienists in Wisconsin?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new dental hygienists typically earn — is $80K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,822/month. At HUD’s $1,202/month FMR, rent would take 25% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is dental hygienist a high-paying job in Wisconsin?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $97K locally vs. $98K nationally, a 2% difference.
How does Wisconsin compare to the national average for dental hygienists?
Wisconsin pays $97K median vs. the U.S. average of $98K — that’s -2%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.33), the purchasing-power equivalent is $102K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do dental hygienists make in Wisconsin?
The median is $96,540 a year, that works out to about $46 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $80,370, and experienced dental hygienists can clear $110,240. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $97K enough to live in Wisconsin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,019/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,202/month, which eats 20% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a dental hygienists salary go in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has a Regional Price Parity of 94.33 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median dental hygienists salary is worth about $102,343 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do dental hygienists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.