WI · Milwaukee · Updated October 15, 2026

Dental Assistant jobs in Milwaukee, WI

Pay for dental assistants in the Milwaukee area centers on $23.48 per hour, or about $48,840 a year. The lower quarter earns under $21.87 and the upper quarter over $26.00. That ranks 71st of 383 U.S. metro areas for dental assistant pay, and 94th of 339 once local prices are factored in. 1 open role with published pay is listed for Milwaukee. The free report below lists employers near Milwaukee and what they pay.

Open Dental Assistant roles in Milwaukee

PermanentPosted 30+ days ago

Dental Assistant

Smile Brands · Milwaukee, WI

$20.00–$25.00/ hour
  • Full-time
  • Req 39526
View role

More open Dental Assistant roles in Milwaukee

2 more open roles from employers in Milwaukee. Each employer’s range arrives with your free pay report.

PermanentPosted today

Dental Assistant

Ascension Health · Milwaukee, WI

Pay range with your report
  • Part Time
  • Req 17352
New this week
View role

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Named employers near Milwaukee, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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Dental Assistant pay in Milwaukee, WI

The metro median is 2% above the Wisconsin statewide median of $23.08 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.74 per hour. BLS counts about 1,910 dental assistants employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha metro area, 2.3 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is about as concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.96).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$19.60$40,77014% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$21.87$45,4904% below U.S. median
Median$23.48$48,8403% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$26.00$54,08014% above U.S. median
Top 10%$28.18$58,61024% above U.S. median

How Milwaukee ranks

  • 71st of 383 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 94th of 339 after adjusting for local prices
  • 1st 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 Milwaukee

  • Overall prices in Milwaukee-Waukesha run 3% below the U.S. average (index 96.9, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 3% below the U.S. average (index 97.1).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $23.48 median hour buys what $24.22 buys at the national price level, 7% 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.

Estimate your Milwaukee paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$845
  • Per year: $42,264
  • Per month: $3,522

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Milwaukee-Waukesha metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Dental health shortage areas in Milwaukee County

HRSA lists 9 active dental health shortage designations that include Milwaukee County (2 population-group, 7 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

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
West Allis, WI5 mi$23.48/hr59,784
Waukesha, WI15 mi$23.48/hr71,461
Racine, WI25 mi$21.08/hr78,057
Kenosha, WI33 mi$22.75/hr99,578
Waukegan, IL48 mi$22.87/hr88,570
Janesville, WI59 mi$22.57/hr66,428

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.

Wisconsin state guide

Other healthcare roles in Milwaukee

Milwaukee city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do dental assistants make in Milwaukee, WI?

Dental Assistants in the Milwaukee-Waukesha metro area have a median pay of $23.48 per hour, about $48,840 a year. The middle half earn between $21.87 and $26.00 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Milwaukee a good place for dental assistants once cost of living is counted?

Milwaukee-Waukesha ranks 94th of 339 metro areas for dental assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 71st of 383 before adjusting. Overall prices run 3% below the U.S. average.

Who is hiring dental assistants in Milwaukee?

We list 1 open role with published pay from 1 employer in Milwaukee. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Milwaukee.

Do I need a Wisconsin license to work in Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 9 active dental health shortage designations that include Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Milwaukee and across Wisconsin. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Milwaukee.

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What do employers near Milwaukee pay dental assistants? Get the report.

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    Pay for your role at other employers

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    What they are offering now

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Pay report · Dental Assistant near Milwaukee, WI
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Dental Assistant pay reportMilwaukee, 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

  1. Dental AssistantPermanent
    $23.00–$25.00/ hour
    Dental Care Alliance · Greendale, WI · posted yesterday
  2. Dental AssistantPermanent
    $21.00–$23.00/ hour
    Aspen Dental · Madison, WI · posted 2 days ago

+ 22 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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