Dental Salaries in Wausau, Wisconsin

Dentist: a median of $202,250 a year ($97.24 an hour). That is $8,560 above the Wisconsin dentist median of $193,690 and $31,300 above the national median of $170,950. It ranks 7th of the 12 Wisconsin metro areas where BLS publishes a dentist median.

Dental Hygienist: a median of $87,470 a year ($42.05 an hour). That is $9,070 below the Wisconsin dental hygienist median of $96,540 and $10,630 below the national median of $98,100. It ranks 12th of the 13 Wisconsin metro areas where BLS publishes a dental hygienist median.

Dental Assistant: a median of $46,740 a year ($22.47 an hour). That is $780 below the Wisconsin dental assistant median of $47,520 and $1,330 below the national median of $48,070. It ranks 11th of the 13 Wisconsin metro areas where BLS publishes a dental assistant median.

Dentist: the middle half of Wausau dentists earn $155,360 to $269,820. The lowest-paid tenth earn under $118,900 (against $121,780 statewide and $86,250 nationally). The top tenth earn over $285,410 (against $306,370 statewide and $319,630 nationally). The gap between the two is $166,510.

Dental Hygienist: the middle half of Wausau dental hygienists earn $79,010 to $97,620. The lowest-paid tenth earn under $77,670 (against $80,370 statewide and $74,880 nationally). The top tenth earn over $99,830 (against $110,240 statewide and $126,050 nationally). The gap between the two is $22,160.

Dental Assistant: the middle half of Wausau dental assistants earn $44,290 to $52,560. The lowest-paid tenth earn under $38,420 (against $39,500 statewide and $37,130 nationally). The top tenth earn over $57,720 (against $58,840 statewide and $62,250 nationally). The gap between the two is $19,300.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts the Wausau metro's 2024 price level at 92.7 (U.S. = 100), so prices overall run 7.3% below the national average, and housing costs (index 71.5) run 28.5% below. Wisconsin as a whole sits at 94.1.

Converted to national average prices:

• Dentist: $202,250 here buys about what $218,290 buys at national average prices — $47,340 above the national median of $170,950.
• Dental Hygienist: $87,470 here buys about what $94,410 buys at national average prices — $3,690 below the national median of $98,100.
• Dental Assistant: $46,740 here buys about what $50,450 buys at national average prices — $2,380 above the national median of $48,070.

Dentists: about 70 jobs in the metro, or 1.066 per 1,000 jobs of all kinds. Dentists hold a 33% larger share of local jobs than nationally (location quotient 1.33).

Dental Hygienists: about 150 jobs in the metro, or 2.188 per 1,000 jobs of all kinds. Dental hygienists hold a 53% larger share of local jobs than nationally (location quotient 1.53).

Dental Assistants: about 230 jobs in the metro, or 3.322 per 1,000 jobs of all kinds. Dental assistants hold a 33% larger share of local jobs than nationally (location quotient 1.33).

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: Eau Claire (75 mi) pays $209,750, Oshkosh (78 mi) pays $205,000 and Appleton (80 mi) pays $206,650. Wausau's $202,250 is below all 3.

Dental Hygienist: Eau Claire (75 mi) pays $86,830, Oshkosh (78 mi) pays $93,850 and Appleton (80 mi) pays $96,350. Wausau's $87,470 is below 2 of the 3.

Dental Assistant: Eau Claire (75 mi) pays $46,850, Oshkosh (78 mi) pays $46,440 and Appleton (80 mi) pays $47,240. Wausau's $46,740 is below 2 of the 3.