Dental Hygienist Salary in Kenosha, WI: $101,393 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Kenosha, WI earns a median $101,393/year (≈ $48.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Kenosha's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.1), that paycheck buys what $100,272 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Kenosha, WI, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $101,393, slightly below the national median of $102,946. The salary range for this profession in the area varies significantly, with the lower 10% earning around $85,453 and the top 10% reaching approximately $104,992. These figures, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys, illustrate a competitive pay landscape for dental hygienists in Kenosha, especially when considering the area's strong demand for oral healthcare services. With approximately 100 dental hygienists currently employed locally, the job market remains favorable, providing various opportunities for practitioners in both private and public health sectors.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,453 | $41.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,631 | $44.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,393 | $48.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,576 | $49.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,992 | $50.48 |
Median Salary Position
1.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kenosha
In Kenosha, WI, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,539 (2026 est.). At $101,393, the local median is 1.51% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kenosha: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Kenosha Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Kenosha median: $101,393/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kenosha Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $100,688 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | -1.51% less |
Dental Hygienists in Kenosha, WI earn a median of $101,393 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.51% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.70% above the Wisconsin state average of $100,688.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kenosha has a cost of living 1.12% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kenosha, WI has a cost-of-living index of 101.118 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $101,393 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $100,272 — a 1.11% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$70,011
2025 BLS Actual
$96,620
2026 Current Est.
$101,393
2020–2027 Growth
+52.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Kenosha (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $70,011 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,856 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,826 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,559 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,190 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,620 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,393 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,402 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kenosha metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 38.0% from $70,011 (2020) to $96,620 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,402 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,391 (51.98%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kenosha 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) | $85,453 – $92,631 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,631 – $101,393 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,393 – $103,576 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,576 – $104,992 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Kenosha
The cost of living in Kenosha, indicated by a cost-of-living index of 101.118, suggests that while salaries are competitive, they also reflect the moderate expenses associated with life in this city. Those seeking to maximize dental hygienist pay in Kenosha should consider employment with Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), which often offer more comprehensive benefits compared to solo practices or small group offices. Additionally, performance-based bonuses—often tied to patient retention and production metrics—can also influence earnings significantly. Strategies such as seeking positions that offer a 4-day work week or negotiating sign-on bonuses can further enhance salary potential. Overall, understanding the local employment market and company structures is essential for dental hygienists aiming to increase their profitability in Kenosha, WI.
More salary data for Kenosha, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $96,620 for dental hygienistsin the Kenosha 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