Pay by state / Wisconsin
WI · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental pay in Wisconsin
Wisconsin's 5,080 dental hygienists earned a mean of $94,180 in May 2025, 5% below the US mean and number 25 of 50 states. Salaried general dentists averaged $203,600 (+6% against the US), and orthodontists $225,580. Dental assistants earned $49,150.
- 1Dental hygienists $94,180
- 2General dentists $203,600
- 3Orthodontists $225,580
- 4Dental assistants $49,150
| Occupation | Employed | Per 1,000 jobs | WI mean | US mean | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orthodontists | 90 | 0.031 | $225,580 | $259,400 | -13% |
| General dentists | 2,560 | 0.872 | $203,600 | $191,350 | +6% |
| Dental hygienists | 5,080 | 1.727 | $94,180 | $98,990 | -5% |
| Dental assistants | 7,760 | 2.637 | $49,150 | $50,200 | -2% |
How Wisconsin ranks
- Orthodontists: number 16 of 19 published states for mean pay ($225,580, median $212,860), with 0.031 per 1,000 jobs.
- General dentists: number 13 of 47 published states for mean pay ($203,600, median $193,690), with 0.872 per 1,000 jobs.
- Dental hygienists: number 25 of 50 published states for mean pay ($94,180, median $96,540), with 1.727 per 1,000 jobs.
- Dental assistants: number 27 of 50 published states for mean pay ($49,150, median $47,520), with 2.637 per 1,000 jobs.
Wisconsin and the East North Central division
Among the 5 East North Central jurisdictions with published figures, Wisconsin ranks 1 for dental hygienists' pay; half of its hygienists earn more than $96,540 and half less. The Census Bureau groups these states as a division, which makes a fairer comparison than the national figure when living costs differ by region.
| East North Central | Hygienists | Dentists | Assistants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $91,820 | $193,050 | $48,990 |
| Indiana | $89,660 | $195,140 | $50,480 |
| Michigan | $85,940 | $188,930 | $49,650 |
| Ohio | $89,900 | $180,440 | $52,370 |
| Wisconsin | $94,180 | $203,600 | $49,150 |
Staffing in Wisconsin
There are 2 salaried hygienists for every salaried general dentist in Wisconsin, more than the national ratio of about 1.8 — hygienists carry more of the routine work here. A practice here employing one hygienist and one assistant at the state's mean wages pays $143,330 a year in their salaries alone, before benefits. Owners of practices are not counted in these BLS figures, so dentist and orthodontist numbers understate how many work in Wisconsin.
What it means for your braces
Orthodontists in Wisconsin earn 13% less than the US mean. Wages are one input to what practices charge, alongside rent, equipment and competition, so they explain only part of why quotes differ. Your quote is what matters: put it, your insurance's orthodontic benefit and your FSA or HSA plans into the calculator.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (state and national files). “–” = not published by BLS. Checked 2026-10-24. Methodology.