Dental Salaries in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Dentist: a median of $155,940 a year ($74.97 an hour). That is $37,750 below the Wisconsin dentist median of $193,690 and $15,010 below the national median of $170,950. It ranks 12th of the 12 Wisconsin metro areas where BLS publishes a dentist median.

Dental Hygienist: a median of $98,780 a year ($47.49 an hour). That is $2,240 above the Wisconsin dental hygienist median of $96,540 and $680 above the national median of $98,100. It ranks 3rd of the 13 Wisconsin metro areas where BLS publishes a dental hygienist median.

Dental Lab Technician: a median of $47,480 a year ($22.83 an hour). That is $310 above the Wisconsin dental lab technician median of $47,170 and $2,130 below the national median of $49,610. It ranks 4th of the 4 Wisconsin metro areas where BLS publishes a dental lab technician median.

Dental Assistant: a median of $47,140 a year ($22.66 an hour). That is $380 below the Wisconsin dental assistant median of $47,520 and $930 below the national median of $48,070. It ranks 9th of the 13 Wisconsin metro areas where BLS publishes a dental assistant median.

Dentist: the middle half of Milwaukee dentists earn $124,370 to $203,570. The lowest-paid tenth earn under $117,460 (against $121,780 statewide and $86,250 nationally). The top tenth earn over $283,800 (against $306,370 statewide and $319,630 nationally). The gap between the two is $166,340.

Dental Hygienist: the middle half of Milwaukee dental hygienists earn $83,570 to $106,040. The lowest-paid tenth earn under $52,500 (against $80,370 statewide and $74,880 nationally). The top tenth earn over $114,190 (against $110,240 statewide and $126,050 nationally). The gap between the two is $61,690.

Dental Lab Technician: the middle half of Milwaukee dental lab technicians earn $38,390 to $60,240. The lowest-paid tenth earn under $36,900 (against $36,840 statewide and $36,660 nationally). The top tenth earn over $71,970 (against $68,680 statewide and $76,940 nationally). The gap between the two is $35,070.

Dental Assistant: the middle half of Milwaukee dental assistants earn $45,200 to $50,060. The lowest-paid tenth earn under $39,700 (against $39,500 statewide and $37,130 nationally). The top tenth earn over $58,430 (against $58,840 statewide and $62,250 nationally). The gap between the two is $18,730.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts the Milwaukee metro's 2024 price level at 96.9 (U.S. = 100), so prices overall run 3.1% below the national average, and housing costs (index 97.1) run 2.9% below. Wisconsin as a whole sits at 94.1.

Converted to national average prices:

• Dentist: $155,940 here buys about what $160,870 buys at national average prices — $10,080 below the national median of $170,950.
• Dental Hygienist: $98,780 here buys about what $101,900 buys at national average prices — $3,800 above the national median of $98,100.
• Dental Lab Technician: $47,480 here buys about what $48,980 buys at national average prices — $630 below the national median of $49,610.
• Dental Assistant: $47,140 here buys about what $48,630 buys at national average prices — $560 above the national median of $48,070.

Dentists: about 830 jobs in the metro, or 1.012 per 1,000 jobs of all kinds. Dentists hold a 27% larger share of local jobs than nationally (location quotient 1.27).

Dental Hygienists: about 1,360 jobs in the metro, or 1.66 per 1,000 jobs of all kinds. Dental hygienists hold a 16% larger share of local jobs than nationally (location quotient 1.16).

Dental Lab Technicians: about 210 jobs in the metro, or 0.257 per 1,000 jobs of all kinds. Dental lab technicians hold a 16% larger share of local jobs than nationally (location quotient 1.16).

Dental Assistants: about 2,400 jobs in the metro, or 2.919 per 1,000 jobs of all kinds. Dental assistants hold a 17% larger share of local jobs than nationally (location quotient 1.17).

The closest metro areas with their own salary page and a published median for each role (distance between metro centers, up to 250 miles).

Dentist: Racine (10 mi) pays $209,550, Kenosha (22 mi) pays $207,140 and Janesville (64 mi) pays $208,000. Milwaukee's $155,940 is below all 3.

Dental Hygienist: Racine (10 mi) pays $95,310, Kenosha (22 mi) pays $96,620 and Janesville (64 mi) pays $96,200. Milwaukee's $98,780 is above all 3.

Dental Lab Technician: Rockford, Illinois (72 mi) pays $49,310, Chicago, Illinois (80 mi) pays $51,380 and Madison (88 mi) pays $47,570. Milwaukee's $47,480 is below all 3.

Dental Assistant: Racine (10 mi) pays $45,190, Kenosha (22 mi) pays $47,310 and Janesville (64 mi) pays $47,750. Milwaukee's $47,140 is below 2 of the 3.