Dental Assistant Salary in Middleton, WI: $45,047 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Middleton, WI earns a median $45,047/year (≈ $21.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Middleton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $48,230 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a dental assistant salary in Middleton, Wisconsin, reaches a median of $45,047, slightly below the national average of $49,579. The salary range offers substantial variability, with entry-level positions starting around $37,847 and more experienced practitioners earning up to $56,120. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS estimates projected to 2026, reflect local cost-of-living adjustments, important for interpreting purchasing power in Middleton. Dental assistants specializing in oral surgery or orthodontics may benefit from higher pay levels due to the complexity and skill required in these areas, making the specialty path particularly appealing for career advancement in the local job market.
About the Middleton Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,847 | $18.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,114 | $20.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,047 | $21.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,767 | $25.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56,120 | $26.98 |
Median Salary Position
9.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Middleton
In Middleton, WI, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,273 (2026 est.). At $45,047, the local median is 9.14% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Middleton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Middleton Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Middleton median: $45,047/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Middleton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $48,700 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -9.14% less |
Dental Assistants in Middleton, WI earn a median of $45,047 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.14% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 7.50% below the Wisconsin state average of $48,700.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Middleton 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.
Middleton, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $45,047 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,230 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,416
2025 BLS Actual
$43,676
2026 Current Est.
$45,047
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Middleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,416 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,416 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,126 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,723 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,286 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,722 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,676 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,047 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,462 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Middleton metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $36,416 (2019) to $43,676 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,462 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,046 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Middleton 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) | $37,847 – $43,114 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,114 – $45,047 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,047 – $53,767 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,767 – $56,120 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Middleton
The job market for dental assistants in Middleton remains relatively niche, with only six dental assistants currently employed in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 93.4, the purchasing power for local salaries tends to stretch further than in many metropolitan regions. Among local employers, those in orthodontic and oral surgery practices typically offer the highest compensation, reflecting the increased expertise required in these specialties. The wage disparities are largely influenced by factors such as whether a dental assistant holds an expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) credential, their role as a treatment coordinator, or any leadership responsibilities. To maximize dental assistant pay in Middleton WI, candidates should consider pursuing additional credentials recognized by DANB and seeking positions within larger DSO chains, where standardized salaries often exceed average local pay scales.
More salary data for Middleton, 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 $43,676 for dental assistantsin the Middleton 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 Middleton 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