Dental Assistant Salary in Eau Claire, WI: $48,321 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Eau Claire, WI earns a median $48,321/year (≈ $23.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Eau Claire's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $52,072 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for dental assistants in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is $48,321, which positions this role slightly below the national median of $49,579. Dental assistants in this region can expect to earn between $40,317 and $59,027, with salaries influenced by the state's expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) rules. These regulations incentivize higher compensation levels since EFDA-credentialed professionals can perform additional duties that traditional dental assistants may not, thereby enhancing their value in the workforce. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights a competitive local market for dental assistants, given the unique qualifications that can drive earnings above typical rates.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,317 | $19.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,485 | $22.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,321 | $23.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,139 | $26.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,027 | $28.38 |
Median Salary Position
2.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Eau Claire
In Eau Claire, WI, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,710 (2026 est.). At $48,321, the local median is 2.54% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Eau Claire: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Eau Claire Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Eau Claire median: $48,321/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Eau Claire Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $48,711 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -2.54% less |
Dental Assistants in Eau Claire, WI earn a median of $48,321 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.54% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 0.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $48,711.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Eau Claire has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Eau Claire, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.796 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $48,321 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,072 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,840
2025 BLS Actual
$46,850
2026 Current Est.
$48,321
2019–2027 Growth
+35.3%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Eau Claire (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,730 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,850 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,321 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,838 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Eau Claire metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 27.2% from $36,840 (2019) to $46,850 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,838 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,998 (35.28%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Eau Claire 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) | $40,317 – $46,485 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,485 – $48,321 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,321 – $55,139 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,139 – $59,027 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Eau Claire
The local job market in Eau Claire shows a positive outlook, with approximately 330 dental assistants currently employed in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 92.796, living expenses are below the national average, meaning salary levels can stretch further for professionals in this field. Among various employers, general dental practices and DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen typically offer the most lucrative compensation packages. Factors influencing the pay scale include the type of dental specialty, with roles in oral surgery and orthodontics commanding higher salaries compared to general practices. Additionally, hybrid treatment coordinator roles can enhance earnings further. To maximize their pay, dental assistants should consider pursuing EFDA credentials, exploring job opportunities with larger DSO chains, and seeking mentorship or leadership roles within their practices.
More salary data for Eau Claire, 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 $46,850 for dental assistantsin the Eau Claire 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
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