Dental Assistant salary in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
Dental Assistants in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area earn a median of $47,180 a year ($22.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,390 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 1% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $47,520. There are 2.7 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $49,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,700 | $19.57 |
| 25th percentile | $45,360 | $21.81 |
| Median | $47,180 | $22.68 |
| 75th percentile | $55,630 | $26.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,390 | $28.07 |
| Average (mean) | $49,250 | $23.68 |
Half of dental assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,931.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,965.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,814.62 |
| Weekly | $907.31 |
| Hourly | $22.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,180 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dental Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $72,370 | 3,910 |
| Rochester, MN | $63,450 | 320 |
| Mankato, MN | $61,010 | 120 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $61,000 | 270 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $59,390 | 310 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $57,770 | 110 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $56,940 | 330 |
| Madison, WI | $49,930 | 920 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $49,470 | 130 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $48,890 | 450 |
| Green Bay, WI | $48,700 | 410 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $47,760 | 160 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $47,750 | 170 |
| Kenosha, WI | $47,310 | 180 |
| Appleton, WI | $47,240 | 370 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $47,140 | 2,400 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $46,850 | 330 |
| Wausau, WI | $46,740 | 230 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $46,440 | 200 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $45,190 | 310 |
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 |
| Maine | $60,070 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 |
| Oregon | $59,490 |
| Washington | $58,090 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 |
| Alaska | $57,710 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 |
See Dental Assistant pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $47,960 | $23.06 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,080 | $22.16 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $35,480 | $17.06 |
| Massage Therapist | $61,050 | $29.35 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $35,990 | $17.30 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $37,140 | $17.86 |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,510 | $20.92 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $63,180 | $30.37 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $60,940 | $29.30 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?
The median salary for dental assistants in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area is $47,180 a year, or $22.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area earn at least $58,390 a year. The top 25% earn $55,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,700 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $45,360 or less.
How many dental assistants work in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?
About 230 dental assistants are employed in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.