Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Fond du Lac, WI: $24.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Fond du Lac, WI runs $24.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,023 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Fond du Lac's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.6, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,622 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, dental assistants earn a median hourly rate of $24.54, which is higher than the national hourly median of $23.84. This competitive pay can significantly benefit individuals working part-time or as per-diem professionals in settings ranging from general dentistry operatories to specialized oral surgery suites. For those in these roles, typically working three days a week, the hourly pay allows for financial flexibility. Entry-level dental assistants earn around $20.55, while the top earners can reach up to $29.11 per hour based on official BLS data projected for 2026. Such figures reflect both the growing demand for dental assistants in Fond du Lac and the vital roles these professionals play in various dental practices across the city.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.55 | $164.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.86 | $182.85 |
| Median (P50) | $24.54 | $196.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.43 | $227.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.11 | $232.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fond du Lac
Based on $24.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.54/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fond du Lac, WI can expect to earn approximately $51,037 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,444. With a cost-of-living index of 91.64 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fond du Lac.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fond du Lac
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $981.48 | $4,253 | $51,037 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $588.89 | $2,552 | $30,622 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $392.59 | $1,701 | $20,415 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Fond du Lac) | $24.54 |
| Dental Hygienist (National Avg) | $42.45 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
Dental Assistants in Fond du Lac, WI earn a median of $51,023 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.91% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 4.70% above the Wisconsin state average of $48,733.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.54/hr = $30,622/year (purchasing power: $33,415).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,037/year (purchasing power: $55,691).
CoL index: 91.643 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Fond du Lac (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Fond du Lac grew 18.9% from $20.01/hr (2019) to $23.79/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.31/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fond du Lac metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.14% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Dental Assistant in Fond du Lac
Analyzing the part-time earning potential, a dental assistant working 24 hours a week can expect to take home approximately $31,380 annually, compared to full-time counterparts who enjoy more financial stability. The per-diem landscape for dental assistants in Fond du Lac highlights another revenue option, with rates typically ranging from $22 to $35 per hour, and specialized roles in oral surgery or orthodontics can command $28 to $45 per hour. Additionally, hourly pay rates frequently vary based on employer types: general practices, pediatric offices, and specialty clinics tend to have different wage structures, influenced by the level of benefits offered. Many dental assistants face a tough decision—accepting lower hourly rates that include health insurance benefits or opting for higher pay without such perks. For those looking to negotiate, understanding the pay scale differences across various practices and leveraging factors such as certification from groups like DANB can increase their appeal and earning potential in Fond du Lac.
More salary data for Fond du Lac, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH
Career Analyst
Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental assistants in Fond du Lac. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.14%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental assistants (SOC 31-9091).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov