Dental Assistant Salary in Oak Creek, WI: $46,693 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Oak Creek, WI earns a median $46,693/year (≈ $22.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Oak Creek's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $49,993 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dental assistants in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $46,693 in 2026. The salary range spans from $38,356 at the lower end (P10) to $60,424 at the upper range (P90). These figures are informed by estimates derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, adjusted for local cost of living through regional price parities. The job market in Oak Creek features a combination of employment opportunities through various types of practices, including both solo practices and larger dental service organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland and Aspen Dental. Employment dynamics may offer differing salary structures, with DSOs typically implementing standardized pay scales that can be competitive.
About the Oak Creek Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,356 | $18.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,242 | $21.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,693 | $22.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,855 | $27.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,424 | $29.05 |
Median Salary Position
5.82% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Creek
In Oak Creek, WI, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,068 (2026 est.). At $46,693, the local median is 5.82% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Creek: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Creek Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Oak Creek median: $46,693/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Creek Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $48,740 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -5.82% less |
Dental Assistants in Oak Creek, WI earn a median of $46,693 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.82% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 4.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $48,740.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Creek 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.
Oak Creek, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $46,693 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,993 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,746
2025 BLS Actual
$45,271
2026 Current Est.
$46,693
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Oak Creek (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,746 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,782 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,409 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,830 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,173 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,271 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,693 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,159 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Creek metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $37,746 (2019) to $45,271 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,159 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,413 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Creek 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) | $38,356 – $44,242 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,242 – $46,693 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,693 – $56,855 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,855 – $60,424 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Oak Creek
The local job market hosts five dental assistants, reflecting a modest level of employment in this field. Oak Creek's cost-of-living index sits at 93.4, meaning that while the salaries for dental assistants might seem lower compared to the national average, the purchasing power in the area is relatively favorable. Employers across the city, especially general dental practices, pay varying wages based on specialization. Pediatric and orthodontic practices often provide higher pay than general dentistry, and roles incorporating expanded functions or hybrid positions can command even more. To maximize earnings, dental assistants in Oak Creek should consider pursuing additional certifications such as the EFDA, which can significantly increase earning potential, or seek employment with DSOs that provide clear growth paths and career advancement opportunities in a competitive market.
More salary data for Oak Creek, 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 $45,271 for dental assistantsin the Oak Creek 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 Oak Creek 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