Dental Assistant Salary in Stevens Point, WI: $46,893 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Stevens Point, WI earns a median $46,893/year (≈ $22.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Stevens Point's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $50,207 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Stevens Point, the projected median annual salary for dental assistants in 2026 is $46,893, which is slightly below the national median of $49,579. This local figure is derived from BLS estimates that account for state-level data and regional price parities, with salaries ranging from $38,848 at the 10th percentile to $59,293 at the 90th percentile. The hourly rates reflect similar trends, with a median rate of $22.55, indicating that dental assistants in this city may find their earning potential affected by the type of practice and specialization pursued. The relatively narrow employment pool of four dental assistants emphasizes the importance of finding positions at providers where specialized skills, such as those in oral surgery or orthodontics, can command higher wages.
About the Stevens Point Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,848 | $18.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,674 | $21.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,893 | $22.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,394 | $27.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,293 | $28.51 |
Median Salary Position
5.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Stevens Point
In Stevens Point, WI, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,445 (2026 est.). At $46,893, the local median is 5.42% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Stevens Point: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Stevens Point Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Stevens Point median: $46,893/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Stevens Point Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $48,745 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -5.42% less |
Dental Assistants in Stevens Point, WI earn a median of $46,893 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.42% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 3.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $48,745.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Stevens Point 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.
Stevens Point, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $46,893 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,207 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,908
2025 BLS Actual
$45,465
2026 Current Est.
$46,893
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Stevens Point (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,908 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,948 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,565 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,391 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,018 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,350 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,465 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,893 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,365 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Stevens Point metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $37,908 (2019) to $45,465 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,365 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,457 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Stevens Point 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) | $38,848 – $44,674 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,674 – $46,893 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,893 – $56,394 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,394 – $59,293 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Stevens Point
Analyzing the job market in Stevens Point reveals a cost-of-living index of 93.4, indicating that residents enjoy a slightly lower expense level compared to the national average. This can enhance the purchasing power of dental assistant pay in Stevens Point, WI, making it an attractive location for both newcomers and seasoned professionals. Employers that typically pay higher salaries include specialty practices such as orthodontics and oral surgery, where advanced skills and certifications can significantly raise earning potential. Factors driving the salary range include specialization, educational credentials like the EFDA, and the evolving DSO chain structures that influence pay scales across practices. For dental assistants looking to maximize their income in Stevens Point, pursuing additional certifications and seeking opportunities in specialty offices or dental chains could provide significant advantages.
More salary data for Stevens Point, 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 $45,465 for dental assistantsin the Stevens Point 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 Stevens Point 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