Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Wausau, WI: $23.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Wausau, WI runs $23.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,208 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Wausau's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,923 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wausau, Wisconsin, dental assistants earn a median hourly pay of $23.18, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $23.84. This compensation facilitates a workable income for those in part-time or per-diem positions, commonly involving three-day workweeks at various dental facilities such as general dentistry practices, pediatric offices, or specialty surgical suites. Entry-level dental assistants in the area may start at around $19.05 per hour, while top earners can command up to $28.62 per hour. These figures are derived from official BLS data, indicating the financial landscape for dental assistants here in 2026.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.05 | $152.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.96 | $175.67 |
| Median (P50) | $23.18 | $185.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.06 | $208.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.62 | $228.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wausau
Based on $23.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.18/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wausau, WI can expect to earn approximately $48,205 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,811. With a cost-of-living index of 92.65 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wausau.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wausau
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $927.02 | $4,017 | $48,205 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $556.21 | $2,410 | $28,923 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $370.81 | $1,607 | $19,282 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Wausau) | $23.18 |
| 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 Wausau, WI earn a median of $48,208 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.77% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.10% below the Wisconsin state average of $48,744.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.18/hr = $28,923/year (purchasing power: $31,217).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,205/year (purchasing power: $52,029).
CoL index: 92.651 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.47/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.47/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Wausau grew 23.4% from $18.21/hr (2019) to $22.47/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.90/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 Wausau 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 Wausau
Considering part-time opportunities, a dental assistant working three days a week could bring home approximately $36,297 annually, a figure that’s considerably less than a full-time assistant's earnings. Per diem dental assistant pay in Wausau ranges widely, with general assignments typically billed at $22-$35 per hour, while specialized roles in oral surgery or orthodontics can see rates soaring to $28-$45 per hour. Employment settings also influence earning potential; those associated with dental service organizations (DSOs) like Heartland or Pacific Dental may encounter standardized pay structures, potentially offering fewer benefits for higher pay rates. On the flip side, dental assistants might accept lower hourly wages from independent practices that provide health insurance, balancing immediate income against long-term financial security. Negotiation is vital; understanding the local market rates and being prepared to articulate one's qualifications can greatly enhance the chances of obtaining a favorable hourly rate in Wausau's dental industry.
More salary data for Wausau, 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 Wausau. 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