Dental Assistant Salary in Racine, WI: $46,609 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Racine, WI earns a median $46,609/year (≈ $22.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Racine's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $48,571 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Racine, Wisconsin, the projected dental assistant salary for 2026 stands at $46,609, slightly below the national median of $49,579. The salary range is broad, encompassing a low of $38,616 at the 10th percentile and reaching up to $59,068 for the 90th percentile. These figures stem from official BLS OEWS surveys, reflecting the area's job market dynamics. With Wisconsin's EFDA expanded function rules allowing dental assistants to take on a wider scope of practice, those with additional qualifications can expect to earn at the higher end of this spectrum. This adds a competitive edge, especially considering Racine's specific hiring trends and the influence of DSO chains that often adopt standardized pay scales across locations.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,616 | $18.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,175 | $21.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,609 | $22.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,806 | $23.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,068 | $28.40 |
Median Salary Position
5.99% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Racine
In Racine, WI, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,452 (2026 est.). At $46,609, the local median is 5.99% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Racine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Racine Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Racine median: $46,609/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Racine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $48,703 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -5.99% less |
Dental Assistants in Racine, WI earn a median of $46,609 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.99% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 4.30% below the Wisconsin state average of $48,703.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Racine has a cost of living 4.04% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Racine, WI has a cost-of-living index of 95.961 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $46,609 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,571 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.21% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,620
2025 BLS Actual
$45,190
2026 Current Est.
$46,609
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Racine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,620 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,310 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,190 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,609 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,072 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Racine metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 20.1% from $37,620 (2019) to $45,190 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,072 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,452 (27.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Racine 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) | $38,616 – $44,175 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,175 – $46,609 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,609 – $48,806 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,806 – $59,068 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Racine
The local job market in Racine employs approximately 310 dental assistants, painting a picture of steady demand in this field. The cost of living index at 95.961 suggests that while salaries may trail national medians, the purchasing power of dental assistants in Racine can still be favorable. Notably, employers such as specialty practices in orthodontics and oral surgery often pay more compared to general dental offices or dental school clinics. Pay variability is influenced by factors like the level of specialization, EFDA credentials, and additional roles such as treatment coordinators that can widen earning potential. For dental assistants looking to maximize their salary in Racine, pursuing further education and obtaining EFDA certification can be strategic moves that align with both local employment opportunities and the broader landscape of dental assistance careers.
More salary data for Racine, 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 $45,190 for dental assistantsin the Racine 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