Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Racine, WI: $22.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Racine, WI runs $22.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,609 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Racine's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,971 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the dental assistant hourly pay in Racine, Wisconsin is projected to be $22.41, slightly below the national median of $23.84. This rate provides clarity on what dental assistants can expect whether they are working full-time, part-time, or on a per-diem basis. For part-time professionals clocking in three days a week, this equates to a solid income while allowing flexibility in their schedule. Per-diem workers, often employed in various settings ranging from general dentistry to oral surgery, might also see different hourly rates based on the nature of the job and the urgency of the hiring need. In Racine, dental assistants can expect to earn between $18.57 at entry-level positions to as much as $28.40 at the higher end of the pay scale, reflecting the wide range of expertise and responsibilities across different dental settings.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.57 | $148.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.24 | $169.89 |
| Median (P50) | $22.41 | $179.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.46 | $187.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.40 | $227.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Racine
Based on $22.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.41/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Racine, WI can expect to earn approximately $46,618 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,895. With a cost-of-living index of 95.96 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Racine.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Racine
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $896.49 | $3,885 | $46,618 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $537.90 | $2,331 | $27,971 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $358.60 | $1,554 | $18,647 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Racine) | $22.41 |
| 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 Racine, WI earn a median of $46,609 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.99% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 4.30% below the Wisconsin state average of $48,703.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.41/hr = $27,971/year (purchasing power: $29,148).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,618/year (purchasing power: $48,580).
CoL index: 95.961 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Racine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Racine grew 20.1% from $18.09/hr (2019) to $21.73/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.12/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 Racine 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 Racine
Considering the potential earnings for part-time roles, a dental assistant working 24 hours a week could take home approximately $27,738 annually at the median hourly rate, compared to full-time counterparts, who could earn over $46,000. Per diem dental assistant pay in Racine typically ranges from $22 to $35 per hour, while specialized roles in orthodontics or oral surgery may command hourly wages between $28 and $45. The disparity in wages often arises from differences in employer type; for instance, general dental practices, specialty offices, and educational clinics can offer varying compensation levels due to their operational structures. Importantly, dental assistants should weigh the trade-offs between hourly rates and benefits, as higher pay without health insurance might necessitate financial planning. Negotiating hourly pay in Racine involves understanding local market trends and emphasizing relevant certifications like DANB and expanded function authority, which may justify asking for higher compensation based on skill set and market demand.
More salary data for Racine, 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 Racine. 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