How to Become A Dental Assistant in Wisconsin
Wisconsin employs approximately 7,760 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $47,520 1. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 52,900 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a dental assistant in Wisconsin, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Dental Assistant in Wisconsin
How do I become a dental assistant in Wisconsin? Wisconsin requires credentials such as DENTAL HYGIENIST. The licensing authority is the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Wisconsin? Yes. Wisconsin has licensing or registration requirements for dental assistants. The WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do dental assistants earn in Wisconsin? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Wisconsin is $47,520 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,500 and experienced professionals can earn $58,840 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing
- Median wage (Wisconsin): $47,520 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Dental Assistant License Requirements in Wisconsin
The WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing oversees dental assistant licensing in Wisconsin 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| DENTAL HYGIENIST | A dental hygienist is an individual who practices dental hygiene. Dental hygiene is the performance of educational, preventive or therapeutic dental services. See s. 447.01(3), Wis. Stats. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin
Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), dental assistants wages in Wisconsin vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 3,910 | $72,370 | $67,420 | $46,920 | $76,280 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | 2,400 | $47,140 | $48,420 | $39,700 | $58,430 |
| Madison | 920 | $49,930 | $52,550 | $46,720 | $61,080 |
| Green Bay | 410 | $48,700 | $49,940 | $44,220 | $57,010 |
| Appleton | 370 | $47,240 | $50,020 | $44,220 | $60,370 |
| Eau Claire | 330 | $46,850 | $48,200 | $39,090 | $57,230 |
| Duluth | 310 | $59,390 | $57,590 | $45,550 | $70,710 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant | 310 | $45,190 | $46,240 | $37,440 | $57,270 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | 230 | $47,180 | $49,250 | $40,700 | $58,390 |
| Wausau | 230 | $46,740 | $48,110 | $38,420 | $57,720 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah | 200 | $46,440 | $48,920 | $39,170 | $60,640 |
| Kenosha | 180 | $47,310 | $48,420 | $39,310 | $59,860 |
| Janesville-Beloit | 170 | $47,750 | $48,420 | $38,850 | $58,230 |
| Sheboygan | 160 | $47,760 | $51,870 | $46,160 | $66,130 |
| Fond du Lac | 130 | $49,470 | $50,210 | $41,430 | $58,690 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Dental assistants in Wisconsin
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest dental assistant employment within Wisconsin according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | 2,400 | $47,140 |
| Madison | 920 | $49,930 |
| Green Bay | 410 | $48,700 |
| Appleton | 370 | $47,240 |
| Eau Claire | 330 | $46,850 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Wisconsin? Wisconsin currently employs approximately 7,760 dental assistants 1. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a dental assistant in Wisconsin with an out-of-state license? Contact the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Wisconsin? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Wisconsin.
How much do dental assistants earn in Wisconsin compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Wisconsin is $47,520, which is $220 above the national median of $47,300 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing - Licensing Information: https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/Default.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |