Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Madison, WI: $24.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Madison, WI runs $24.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,498 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Madison's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,905 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Madison, Wisconsin, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $24.76, surpassing the national median hourly pay of $23.84. This favorable compensation reflects the demand for skilled dental assistants across various settings, such as general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, and orthodontic practices. This wage allows part-time dental assistants working three days a week to take home a comfortable income, while also meeting the needs of per-diem workers who enjoy flexibility. The hourly pay range for dental assistants in the area is set between $23.17 at the lower end and $30.29 for experienced professionals, underscoring potential earnings from entry-level positions to top earners based on skills and experience. All figures are drawn from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data reflected in projections for the 2026 fiscal year.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.17 | $185.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.92 | $191.35 |
| Median (P50) | $24.76 | $198.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.97 | $231.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.29 | $242.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Madison
Based on $24.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.76/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Madison, WI can expect to earn approximately $51,509 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,717. With a cost-of-living index of 97.29 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Madison.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Madison
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $990.56 | $4,292 | $51,509 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $594.33 | $2,575 | $30,905 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $396.22 | $1,717 | $20,604 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Madison) | $24.76 |
| 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 Madison, WI earn a median of $51,498 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.87% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 5.70% above the Wisconsin state average of $48,721.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.76/hr = $30,905/year (purchasing power: $31,767).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,509/year (purchasing power: $52,945).
CoL index: 97.287 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.27/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Madison grew 15.4% from $20.80/hr (2019) to $24.01/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.54/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 Madison 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 Madison
Considering part-time employment, a dental assistant working three days a week could earn roughly $36,264 annually, whereas a full-time role could provide higher returns. For those choosing the per diem path, pay scales can vary widely; common bill rates for per-diem dental assistants range between $22 to $35 per hour, with higher rates in specialized fields, such as oral surgery and orthodontics, often reaching $28 to $45 per hour. In Madison, the differences in hourly rates can also depend on the setting. General dental practices, whether solo or part of larger chains like Heartland and Aspen, might offer competitive wages compared to specialty offices or dental school clinics. Some dental assistants may opt for slightly lower hourly wages in exchange for the benefits offered by full-time positions. For those interested in negotiating pay, understanding the specifics of employer types and local market rates is essential for maximizing their earning potential.
More salary data for Madison, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Madison in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Madison?
Are dental assistants in Madison paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental assistant make per year in Madison?
Do dental assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Madison?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 Madison. 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