Dental Assistant Salary in Pleasant Prairie, WI: $46,282 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Pleasant Prairie, WI earns a median $46,282/year (≈ $22.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Pleasant Prairie's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $49,552 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, can expect a median annual salary of $46,282, reflecting the dynamic nature of the local market versus national trends. The comprehensive salary range spans from $37,019 at the 10th percentile to $58,277 at the 90th percentile, showing a diverse array of earning potential. The data, derived from state-level BLS estimates and adjusted for regional price parities, highlights how the pay scale can fluctuate depending on the type of practice. Those working in DSO chains may find more standardized compensation packages, while solo practices might offer greater flexibility but less consistent pay. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for anyone considering a career in dental assisting in Pleasant Prairie.
About the Pleasant Prairie Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,019 | $17.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,975 | $20.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,282 | $22.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,016 | $25.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,277 | $28.01 |
Median Salary Position
6.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pleasant Prairie
In Pleasant Prairie, WI, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,258 (2026 est.). At $46,282, the local median is 6.65% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pleasant Prairie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pleasant Prairie Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Pleasant Prairie median: $46,282/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pleasant Prairie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $48,718 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -6.65% less |
Dental Assistants in Pleasant Prairie, WI earn a median of $46,282 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.65% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 5.00% below the Wisconsin state average of $48,718.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pleasant Prairie 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.
Pleasant Prairie, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $46,282 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,552 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,414
2025 BLS Actual
$44,873
2026 Current Est.
$46,282
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Pleasant Prairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,414 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,441 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,089 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,839 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,445 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,811 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,873 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,282 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,735 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pleasant Prairie metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $37,414 (2019) to $44,873 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,735 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,321 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pleasant Prairie 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) | $37,019 – $42,975 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,975 – $46,282 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,282 – $54,016 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,016 – $58,277 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Pleasant Prairie
Within Pleasant Prairie, the local job market currently employs four dental assistants, illustrating a modest demand in the area. However, the relatively low cost-of-living index of 93.4 suggests that take-home pay can stretch further than in many other regions, providing improved purchasing power for residents. Among the employers, general dental practices typically offer lower compensation compared to specialty offices like oral surgery or orthodontics, where the highest salaries can be found. The difference in pay can be influenced by various factors, including expanded function authority (EFA), which allows credentialed DAs to perform a wider range of tasks, boosting their earning potential by 25-40% in states where this is permissible. To maximize dental assistant pay in Pleasant Prairie, seeking employment in higher-paying specialties or pursuing additional credentials—such as EFDA or taking on hybrid roles like treatment coordinators—may yield significant financial benefits.
More salary data for Pleasant Prairie, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can dental assistants make $100K in Pleasant Prairie?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Pleasant Prairie?
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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 $44,873 for dental assistantsin the Pleasant Prairie 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 Pleasant Prairie 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