Dental Assistant salary in Madison, WI
Dental Assistants in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $49,930 a year ($24.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 920 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,080 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 5% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $47,520. There are 2.3 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $52,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,720 | $22.46 |
| 25th percentile | $48,240 | $23.19 |
| Median | $49,930 | $24.01 |
| 75th percentile | $58,430 | $28.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,080 | $29.37 |
| Average (mean) | $52,550 | $25.26 |
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 | $4,160.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,080.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,920.38 |
| Weekly | $960.19 |
| Hourly | $24.01 |
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 |
| 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 |
| Appleton, WI | $47,240 | 370 |
| 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 Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $48,750 | $23.44 |
| Phlebotomist | $47,740 | $22.95 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $38,490 | $18.51 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $50,120 | $24.10 |
| Massage Therapist | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $49,600 | $23.84 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $42,350 | $20.36 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $37,220 | $17.89 |
| Nursing Assistant | $45,260 | $21.76 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $54,870 | $26.38 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $63,380 | $30.47 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $39,420 | $18.95 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Madison, 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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Madison, WI metro area is $49,930 a year, or $24.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $61,080 a year. The top 25% earn $58,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,720 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $48,240 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Madison, WI?
About 920 dental assistants are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.