WI · Appleton · Updated October 15, 2026

Dental Hygienist jobs in Appleton, WI

Dental Hygienists in the Appleton area earn a median of $38.68 per hour, about $80,460 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $38.03 and $45.16. That ranks 254th of 369 U.S. metro areas for dental hygienist pay, and 233rd of 332 once local prices are factored in. 3 open roles with published pay are listed for Appleton. The free report below lists employers near Appleton and what they pay.

Open Dental Hygienist roles in Appleton

PermanentPosted 30+ days ago

Dental Hygienist

Smile Brands · Appleton, WI

$44.00–$50.00/ hour
  • Full-time
  • Req 34888
View role

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

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Who is hiring dental hygienists near Appleton

EmployerRolesMedian pay / hour
Smile Brands2$52.75
Aspen Dental1$52.88

Dental Hygienist pay in Appleton, WI

The metro median is 4% below the Wisconsin statewide median of $40.31 per hour. Nationally the median is $45.32 per hour. BLS counts about 240 dental hygienists employed in the Appleton metro area, 1.9 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.37).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$37.26$77,50018% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$38.03$79,10016% below U.S. median
Median$38.68$80,46015% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$45.16$93,930in line with U.S. median
Top 10%$46.54$96,8003% above U.S. median

How Appleton ranks

  • 254th of 369 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 233rd of 332 after adjusting for local prices
  • 12th of 12 Wisconsin metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Dental Hygienists (SOC 29-1292), 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 $38.68 median hour buys what $41.85 buys at the national price level, 8% below 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 Appleton paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,392
  • Per year: $69,624
  • Per month: $5,802

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.

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 Hygienist pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Oshkosh, WI20 mi$40.49/hr67,242
Green Bay, WI26 mi$40.36/hr106,311
Milwaukee, WI87 mi$39.68/hr563,531
Waukesha, WI88 mi$39.68/hr71,461
West Allis, WI90 mi$39.68/hr59,784
Madison, WI97 mi$44.36/hr285,300

Dental Hygienist jobs in Wisconsin · Dental Hygienist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Wisconsin

Active dental hygiene license in the state of the job. 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 Appleton

Appleton city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do dental hygienists make in Appleton, WI?

Dental Hygienists in the Appleton metro area have a median pay of $38.68 per hour, about $80,460 a year. The middle half earn between $38.03 and $45.16 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Appleton a good place for dental hygienists once cost of living is counted?

Appleton ranks 233rd of 332 metro areas for dental hygienist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 254th of 369 before adjusting. Overall prices run 8% below the U.S. average.

Who is hiring dental hygienists in Appleton?

We list 3 open roles with published pay from 2 employers in Appleton. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Appleton.

Do I need a Wisconsin license to work in Appleton as a dental hygienist?

Active dental hygiene license in the state of the job. 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 hygienists 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 hygienists? 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 · Hygienist near Appleton, WI
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Hygienist pay reportTop-paying employers shown · your Wisconsin list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • Aspen DentalOak Creek, WI · 4 postings$53.94/ hr$50–$60
  • Smile BrandsOshkosh, WI · 31 postings$51.50/ hr$40–$65
  • PDS HealthEverett, WA · 3 postings$77.50/ hr$70–$85
  • PDS HealthPortland, OR · 3 postings$69.00/ hr$58–$80

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Wisconsin list

2What they are offering now

Low$47Median$52.00High$57

35 Hygienist postings with published pay in Wisconsin, 6 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 35 Hygienist roles

  1. Dental HygienistPermanent
    $48.00–$52.00/ hour
    Smile Brands · Germantown, WI · posted today
  2. Dental Hygienist (RDH)Permanent
    $53.00–$57.00/ hour
    Aspen Dental · Oak Creek, WI · posted 2 days ago

+ 33 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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