PermanentPosted yesterday
Dental Assistant
Dental Care Alliance · Greendale, WI
$23.00–$25.00/ hour
Top 25% payNew this week
Dental Assistant jobs in Appleton, WI
Pay for dental assistants in the Appleton area centers on $23.10 per hour, or about $48,050 a year. The lower quarter earns under $22.26 and the upper quarter over $27.46. That ranks 95th of 383 U.S. metro areas for dental assistant pay, and 61st of 339 once local prices are factored in. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Appleton.
- $23.10median pay per hour, Appleton
- $22–$27typical range per hour
- 360dental assistants employed in the metro area
- 92cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Dental Assistant pay in Appleton, WI
The metro median is in line with the Wisconsin statewide median of $23.08 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.74 per hour. BLS counts about 360 dental assistants employed in the Appleton metro area, 2.9 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.20).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $20.21 | $42,040 | 11% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $22.26 | $46,300 | 2% below U.S. median |
| Median | $23.10 | $48,050 | 2% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $27.46 | $57,120 | 21% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $28.42 | $59,110 | 25% above U.S. median |
How Appleton ranks
- 95th of 383 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 61st of 339 after adjusting for local prices
- 4th of 12 Wisconsin metro areas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Dental Assistants (SOC 31-9091), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Appleton
- Overall prices in Appleton run 8% below the U.S. average (index 92.4, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 29% below the U.S. average (index 70.8).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $23.10 median hour buys what $24.99 buys at the national price level, 10% above the national median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Get the Appleton Dental Assistant pay report
Named employers near Appleton, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Appleton paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$832
- Per year: $41,580
- Per month: $3,465
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Appleton metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Open Dental Assistant roles in Wisconsin
Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Appleton as they open.
PermanentPosted 2 days ago
Dental Assistant
Aspen Dental · Madison, WI
$21.00–$23.00/ hour
New this week
For youUpdated weekly
70+ more Dental Assistant roles for you in Wisconsin
Most are never shown on this page. Tell us your role and get the full list, with the pay on every one, in your inbox within 24 hours.
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PermanentPosted 2 days ago
Dental Assistant
Dental Care Alliance · New Berlin, WI
$19.00–$22.00/ hour
New this week
PermanentPosted 4 days ago
Dental Assistant
Smile Brands · Stevens Point, WI
$19.00–$23.00/ hour
New this week
PermanentPosted 4 days ago
Dental Assistant - Entry Level
Aspen Dental · Madison, WI
$19.00–$21.00/ hour
New this week
PermanentPosted 8 days ago
Dental Assistant
Dental Care Alliance · Onalaska, WI
$20.00–$24.00/ hour
Dental health shortage areas in Outagamie County
HRSA lists 1 active dental health shortage designation that include Outagamie County (1 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 25 on a 0 to 26 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.
Shortage areas are where demand for dentists, hygienists and dental assistants is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.
Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.
Dental Assistant pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oshkosh, WI | 20 mi | $22.34/hr | 67,242 |
| Green Bay, WI | 26 mi | $22.94/hr | 106,311 |
| Milwaukee, WI | 87 mi | $23.48/hr | 563,531 |
| Waukesha, WI | 88 mi | $23.48/hr | 71,461 |
| West Allis, WI | 90 mi | $23.48/hr | 59,784 |
| Madison, WI | 97 mi | $23.30/hr | 285,300 |
Dental Assistant jobs in Wisconsin · Dental Assistant jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Wisconsin
State registration, license or certificate where required, often including radiography. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Wisconsin requires for your role with the Wisconsin licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
Wisconsin taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Appleton
Appleton city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do dental assistants make in Appleton, WI?
Dental Assistants in the Appleton metro area have a median pay of $23.10 per hour, about $48,050 a year. The middle half earn between $22.26 and $27.46 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Appleton a good place for dental assistants once cost of living is counted?
Appleton ranks 61st of 339 metro areas for dental assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 95th of 383 before adjusting. Overall prices run 8% below the U.S. average.
Do I need a Wisconsin license to work in Appleton as a dental assistant?
State registration, license or certificate where required, often including radiography. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Wisconsin requires for your role with the Wisconsin licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
Is Appleton in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 1 active dental health shortage designation that include Outagamie County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.
Does Valorem Health place dental assistants in Appleton?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Appleton and across Wisconsin. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Appleton.
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What do employers near Appleton pay dental assistants? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other employers
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
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70+ Dental Assistant roles in Wisconsin, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]
Your Dental Assistant pay reportAppleton, WI · pay published by employers, collected October 15, 2026
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Dental Care AllianceGreendale, WI · 4 postings$23.00/ hr$19–$28
- Smile BrandsLa Crosse, WI · 9 postings$22.50/ hr$18–$35
- Aspen DentalMadison, WI · 11 postings$21.50/ hr$18–$31
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published.
2What they are offering now
Low$19Median$22.00High$25
24 Dental Assistant postings with published pay in Wisconsin, 12 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 24 Dental Assistant roles
- Dental AssistantPermanent$23.00–$25.00/ hour
- Dental AssistantPermanent$21.00–$23.00/ hour
+ 22 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.
I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.