Dental Hygienist salary in Wausau, WI
Dental Hygienists in the Wausau, WI metro area earn a median of $87,470 a year ($42.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,830 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $98,100. Pay here is 9% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $96,540. There are 2.2 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $89,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Wausau, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,670 | $37.34 |
| 25th percentile | $79,010 | $37.99 |
| Median | $87,470 | $42.05 |
| 75th percentile | $97,620 | $46.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,830 | $48.00 |
| Average (mean) | $89,460 | $43.01 |
Half of dental hygienists 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 | $7,289.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,644.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,364.23 |
| Weekly | $1,682.12 |
| Hourly | $42.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $87,470 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 Hygienist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $112,630 | 2,590 |
| Madison, WI | $100,340 | 680 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $98,940 | 110 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $98,780 | 1,360 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $98,600 | 220 |
| Kenosha, WI | $96,620 | 100 |
| Appleton, WI | $96,350 | 240 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $96,200 | 120 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $95,950 | 150 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $95,310 | 160 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $93,850 | 130 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $93,150 | 90 |
| Green Bay, WI | $91,920 | 340 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $86,830 | 180 |
Highest-paying states for dental hygienists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $137,220 |
| Alaska | $132,690 |
| Washington | $131,160 |
| California | $124,930 |
| Oregon | $122,080 |
| Nevada | $115,290 |
| Colorado | $109,580 |
| Maryland | $107,830 |
| New Jersey | $107,040 |
| New York | $106,130 |
See Dental Hygienist pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wausau, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $89,190 | $42.88 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,720 | $62.36 |
| Physicians, All Other | $364,260 | $175.12 |
| Pharmacist | $148,740 | $71.51 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,910 | $48.03 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,980 | $62.49 |
| Dentists, General | $202,250 | $97.24 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $269,790 | $129.71 |
| Occupational Therapist | $90,030 | $43.28 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,030 | $37.52 |
| Veterinarian | $101,540 | $48.82 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,740 | $35.45 |
| Optometrist | $142,690 | $68.60 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $41,710 | $20.06 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Wausau, WI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1292. 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 hygienist make in Wausau, WI?
The median salary for dental hygienists in the Wausau, WI metro area is $87,470 a year, or $42.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Wausau, WI?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in the Wausau, WI metro area earn at least $99,830 a year. The top 25% earn $97,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Wausau, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,670 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $79,010 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Wausau, WI?
About 150 dental hygienists are employed in the Wausau, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.