Dental Assistant Salary in Sun Prairie, WI: $47,343 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Sun Prairie, WI earns a median $47,343/year (≈ $22.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Sun Prairie's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $50,688 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Earning a competitive income as a dental assistant in Sun Prairie, WI, involves navigating a dynamic salary landscape. With a projected median annual salary of $47,343 in 2026, this figure is slightly below the national average of $49,579, indicating a solid earnings potential that aligns well with the community’s cost of living decisions. Salaries in the area range from $36,060 at the lower end to $60,737 for those in higher-paying roles. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price levels, reflect the unique job market conditions in Sun Prairie. As the demand for dental professionals continues to grow, especially in specialized fields such as oral surgery and orthodontics, those who pursue additional training may find opportunities to enhance their earnings beyond the median.
About the Sun Prairie Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,060 | $17.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,653 | $21.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,343 | $22.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,469 | $27.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,737 | $29.20 |
Median Salary Position
4.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sun Prairie
In Sun Prairie, WI, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,677 (2026 est.). At $47,343, the local median is 4.51% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sun Prairie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sun Prairie Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Sun Prairie median: $47,343/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sun Prairie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $48,707 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -4.51% less |
Dental Assistants in Sun Prairie, WI earn a median of $47,343 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.51% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 2.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $48,707.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sun 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.
Sun Prairie, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $47,343 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,688 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$38,272
2025 BLS Actual
$45,902
2026 Current Est.
$47,343
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Sun Prairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,272 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,323 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,916 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,799 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,441 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,747 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,902 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,343 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,830 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sun Prairie metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $38,272 (2019) to $45,902 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,830 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,558 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sun 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) | $36,060 – $45,653 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,653 – $47,343 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,343 – $57,469 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,469 – $60,737 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Sun Prairie
The local job market for dental assistants sees a modest workforce of nine professionals, offering a glimpse into the competitive landscape in Sun Prairie. With a cost-of-living index of 93.4, dental assistant pay in Sun Prairie, WI, allows for a satisfactory standard of living, although it remains slightly below the national average. Among various employers, specialized practices like orthodontic offices and oral surgery clinics typically provide higher salaries compared to general dentistry practices. The disparity in compensation may be attributed to various factors, including whether a dental assistant holds an EFDA credential or assumes a pivotal hybrid role as a treatment coordinator, as well as individual employer pay scales, particularly within larger DSO chains such as Heartland or Aspen. To maximize their pay potential in this area, dental assistants should consider pursuing certifications like the CDA through DANB or seeking expanded responsibilities that can elevate their positions and salary trajectories.
More salary data for Sun Prairie, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Sun Prairie, WI in 2026?
Is Sun Prairie, WI a good place to work as a dental assistant?
Can dental assistants make $100K in Sun Prairie?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Sun Prairie?
How much does a dental assistant make per hour in Sun Prairie?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 $45,902 for dental assistantsin the Sun 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 Sun 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