Dental Assistant salary in Appleton, WI
Dental Assistants in the Appleton, WI metro area earn a median of $47,240 a year ($22.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,370 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 1% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $47,520. There are 3.0 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $50,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Appleton, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,220 | $21.26 |
| 25th percentile | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| Median | $47,240 | $22.71 |
| 75th percentile | $56,760 | $27.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,370 | $29.03 |
| Average (mean) | $50,020 | $24.05 |
Half of dental assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,936.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,968.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,816.92 |
| Weekly | $908.46 |
| Hourly | $22.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dental Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $72,370 | 3,910 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $59,390 | 310 |
| Madison, WI | $49,930 | 920 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $49,470 | 130 |
| Green Bay, WI | $48,700 | 410 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $47,760 | 160 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $47,750 | 170 |
| Kenosha, WI | $47,310 | 180 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $47,180 | 230 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $47,140 | 2,400 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $46,850 | 330 |
| Wausau, WI | $46,740 | 230 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $46,440 | 200 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $45,190 | 310 |
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 |
| Maine | $60,070 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 |
| Oregon | $59,490 |
| Washington | $58,090 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 |
| Alaska | $57,710 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 |
See Dental Assistant pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Appleton, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $49,330 | $23.72 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,120 | $22.17 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,610 | $18.08 |
| Massage Therapist | $64,360 | $30.94 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $38,210 | $18.37 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $47,460 | $22.82 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $48,010 | $23.08 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $37,010 | $17.79 |
| Nursing Assistant | $44,760 | $21.52 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $57,920 | $27.85 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $64,240 | $30.88 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Appleton, WI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Appleton, WI?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Appleton, WI metro area is $47,240 a year, or $22.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Appleton, WI?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Appleton, WI metro area earn at least $60,370 a year. The top 25% earn $56,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Appleton, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,220 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $45,660 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Appleton, WI?
About 370 dental assistants are employed in the Appleton, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.