How to Become a Dental Assistant in Wisconsin (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Wisconsin employs about 7,760 dental assistants earning a median $47,520 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Dental Assistant here means completing a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

Compare Dental Assistant Schools in Wisconsin

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
167.6$5,040 - $16,862$55,85763%Yes*61 mi
263.9$4,844 - $14,599$50,98546%Yes*57 mi
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362.3Contact school for pricing$57,76445%Yes*31 mi
459.1Contact school for pricing$55,20728%Yes*40 mi
Sponsored Ad
556.0$4,956 - $16,242$54,14249%Yes*69 mi
652.5$5,184 - $17,359$52,34625%Yes*45 mi
Sponsored Ad
751.3Contact school for pricing$39,98066%Yes*81 mi
849.5Contact school for pricing$50,02838%—78 mi
Sponsored Ad
947.4$4,788 - $14,400$52,82138%—80 mi
1045.1Contact school for pricing$56,99132%—54 mi
Sponsored Ad

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

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 licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: dental assisting program or on-the-job training where the state allows it (find programs)
  • Typical timeline: a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires
  • Exam: DANB CDA and/or state RDA or radiography permit
  • Median wage (Wisconsin): $47,520 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Dental Assistant in Wisconsin

How to become a Dental Assistant in Wisconsin? Complete a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

How long does it take? Most people finish a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.

Do I need a license in Wisconsin? Licensing varies. Confirm with the program and employer. See the licensing section below.

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.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Wisconsin

  1. Meet basic requirements. Most Wisconsin dental assisting programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm age and background rules with the employer.
  2. Complete a dental assisting program or on-the-job training if the state allows it. Finish a certificate (often under a year) or associate program in Wisconsin. Prefer a CODA-accredited program. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
  3. Earn CDA and any state assistant credential. DANB CDA is the national exam. Some states also require RDA, a radiography permit, or expanded-functions (EFDA). Confirm current permits with the employer.
  4. Apply to the state dental board when registration is required. Some states register assistants; others only permit X-ray or expanded duties; some allow OJT with no statewide license. Do not treat a hygienist or dentist license as the assistant path.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Dental Assistant License Requirements in Wisconsin

Dental assistants in Wisconsin typically complete a short program or on-the-job training where allowed, then earn DANB CDA and any RDA or radiography permit the employer requires.

Typical path

  1. Meet the program’s entry rules.

  2. Complete a dental assisting program or OJT if the state allows it.

  3. Earn DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit.

  4. Apply to the employer when registration or licensure is required.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the employer before you enroll.

Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin

Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), dental assistants wages in Wisconsin vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington3,910$72,370$67,420$46,920$76,280
Milwaukee-Waukesha2,400$47,140$48,420$39,700$58,430
Madison920$49,930$52,550$46,720$61,080
Green Bay410$48,700$49,940$44,220$57,010
Appleton370$47,240$50,020$44,220$60,370
Eau Claire330$46,850$48,200$39,090$57,230
Duluth310$59,390$57,590$45,550$70,710
Racine-Mount Pleasant310$45,190$46,240$37,440$57,270
La Crosse-Onalaska230$47,180$49,250$40,700$58,390
Wausau230$46,740$48,110$38,420$57,720
Oshkosh-Neenah200$46,440$48,920$39,170$60,640
Kenosha180$47,310$48,420$39,310$59,860
Janesville-Beloit170$47,750$48,420$38,850$58,230
Sheboygan160$47,760$51,870$46,160$66,130
Fond du Lac130$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 .

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? Confirm reciprocity rules with the program and employer.

What training programs are available in Wisconsin? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for 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.

In Wisconsin

Top local programs

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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

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)