Dental Assistant Salary in De Pere, WI: $47,838 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in De Pere, WI earns a median $47,838/year (≈ $23.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in De Pere's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $51,218 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In De Pere, Wisconsin, the average dental assistant salary in 2026 is projected to be $47,838 annually. This figure positions local dental assistants slightly below the national median of $49,579, reflecting a difference of 3.51%. The salary range for dental assistants in this area extends from $37,263 at the lower end (P10) to $57,930 at the upper end (P90). These figures, derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional price parity, highlight the local market dynamics. Dental assistants in De Pere can capitalize on the higher earning potential associated with specialties such as orthodontics and oral surgery, which often command premiums, enhancing the overall value for professionals in these fields.
About the De Pere Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,263 | $17.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,826 | $21.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,838 | $23.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,794 | $27.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,930 | $27.85 |
Median Salary Position
3.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in De Pere
In De Pere, WI, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,667 (2026 est.). At $47,838, the local median is 3.51% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in De Pere: You'd be above the median
How De Pere Dental Assistant Pay Compares
De Pere median: $47,838/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | De Pere Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $48,715 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -3.51% less |
Dental Assistants in De Pere, WI earn a median of $47,838 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.51% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $48,715.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
De Pere has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
De Pere, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $47,838 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,218 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,673
2025 BLS Actual
$46,382
2026 Current Est.
$47,838
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in De Pere (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,673 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,734 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,302 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,246 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,906 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,184 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,382 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,838 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,341 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the De Pere metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $38,673 (2019) to $46,382 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,341 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,668 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the De Pere 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $37,263 – $43,826 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,826 – $47,838 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,838 – $56,794 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,794 – $57,930 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in De Pere
Despite employing only six dental assistants in De Pere, the demand can remain stable and offers competitive advantages because the cost of living index in the area is lower at 93.4, meaning your take-home pay stretches further. In terms of salary potential, practices specializing in oral surgery and orthodontics generally offer the highest compensation, outpacing general dental practices, including those affiliated with national chains like Heartland and Aspen. Factors contributing to the pay variance include the specialty of the practice, any expanded function credentials such as EFDA where allowed, and hybrid roles that incorporate treatment coordinator responsibilities. For dental assistants seeking to maximize their pay in De Pere, obtaining additional certifications or pursuing roles in specialty practices can significantly enhance earning potential, particularly as the DSO model becomes more prevalent in the region.
More salary data for De Pere, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $46,382 for dental assistantsin the De Pere metropolitan area. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for De Pere is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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