Dental Hygienist Salary in Oshkosh, WI: $98,486 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Oshkosh, WI earns a median $98,486/year (≈ $47.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Oshkosh's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.9), that paycheck buys what $105,980 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Oshkosh, WI, currently employs about 130 dental hygienists, reflecting a stable job market with opportunities for growth. The projected median annual salary of $98,486 for dental hygienists in the area is slightly less than the national median of $102,946, establishing a competitive but accessible pay environment. Salary ranges vary widely, with the lowest 10% earning $86,701 and the highest 90% making $106,315. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, indicate a robust local demand for these healthcare professionals, suggesting a favorable environment for those considering a career in dental hygiene in Oshkosh.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,701 | $41.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,563 | $43.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,486 | $47.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,048 | $50.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,315 | $51.12 |
Median Salary Position
4.33% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oshkosh
In Oshkosh, WI, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,614 (2026 est.). At $98,486, the local median is 4.33% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oshkosh: You'd be above the median
How Oshkosh Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Oshkosh median: $98,486/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oshkosh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $100,702 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -4.33% less |
Dental Hygienists in Oshkosh, WI earn a median of $98,486 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.33% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 2.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $100,702.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oshkosh has a cost of living 7.07% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oshkosh, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.929 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $98,486 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,980 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.61% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2020 BLS Actual
$62,950
2025 BLS Actual
$93,850
2026 Current Est.
$98,486
2020–2027 Growth
+64.2%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Oshkosh (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $62,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,170 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,380 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,220 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,850 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,486 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,351 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oshkosh metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 49.1% from $62,950 (2020) to $93,850 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,351 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,401 (64.18%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oshkosh metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $86,701 – $90,563 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,563 – $98,486 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,486 – $104,048 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,048 – $106,315 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Oshkosh
The cost of living in Oshkosh, reflected by a cost-of-living index of 92.929, plays a significant role in the actual purchasing power of dental hygienist salaries in the area. While solo dental practices and smaller offices may offer competitive pay, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland Dental and Aspen often provide higher compensation and benefits, including sign-on bonuses for new graduates. The variability in pay can also be attributed to differences in working arrangements, such as schedules, production-based bonuses, and benefits packages. For instance, those employed in high-demand periods, such as pediatric or periodontal specialties, might earn higher wages compared to public health clinic roles. To maximize earning potential in Oshkosh, dental hygienists should consider opportunities with DSOs and leverage the demand for skilled professionals, while also assessing the balance between work-life and financial compensation.
More salary data for Oshkosh, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Oshkosh, WI in 2026?
Is Oshkosh, WI a good place to work as a dental hygienist?
Can dental hygienists make $100K in Oshkosh?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental hygienist salary in Oshkosh?
How much does a dental hygienist make per hour in Oshkosh?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH
Dental Career Analyst
Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $93,850 for dental hygienistsin the Oshkosh metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov