Dental Hygienist Pay

Green Bay vs Waukesha: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Green Bay, WI and Waukesha, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Green Bay, WI
$96,461
$46.37/hr
Waukesha, WI
$104,966
$50.47/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGreen Bay, WIWaukesha, WI
Median Salary$96,461$104,966
Hourly Rate$46.37$50.47
Entry Level (P10)$84,687$78,422
25th Percentile$87,677$87,358
75th Percentile$98,853$113,508
Top Earner (P90)$103,041$129,825
Total Employed34014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Green Bay ($96,461) and Waukesha ($104,966) dental hygienist salaries.Green BayWaukeshaMedian Salary$96,461$104,966Entry Level (P10)$84,687$78,422Top Earner (P90)$103,041$129,825US Median $102,946

Verdict

Waukesha, WI offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Green Bay.

The salary gap between Green Bay and Waukesha is $8,505 (8.82%). Waukesha's median is +1.96% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Green Bay spans $18,354,Waukesha spans $51,403. Waukesha has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Green Bay
P10 (Entry)$84,687
P25$87,677
Median$96,461
P75$98,853
P90 (Top)$103,041
Waukesha
P10 (Entry)$78,422
P25$87,358
Median$104,966
P75$113,508
P90 (Top)$129,825

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Waukesha ($112,383 effective) pays 8.45% more than Green Bay ($103,626 effective).

Green Bay
Nominal: $96,461
CoL Index: 93.086
Adjusted: $103,626
Waukesha
Nominal: $104,966
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $112,383

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Green Bay if…

  • Larger job market (340 employed)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Waukesha if…

  • Higher median salary ($104,966/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($129,825)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $112,383)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Green Bay grew 37.1% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 41.3% growth in Waukesha over the same period.

Green Bay, WI

+37.1%

$67,050 (2020) → $91,920 (2025)

Waukesha, WI

+41.3%

$70,766 (2020) → $100,025 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Green Bay or Waukesha?

Waukesha has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $104,966/year, compared to Green Bay at $96,461/year — a difference of $8,505 (8.82%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Green Bay and Waukesha?

Green Bay dental hygienists earn $46.37/hr while Waukesha hygienists earn $50.47/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Green Bay to Waukesha as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Green Bay and Waukesha. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Green Bay = $103,626, Waukesha = $112,383), job availability (340 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Green Bay vs Waukesha?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $84,687 in Green Bay and $78,422 in Waukesha. The Green Bay area offers higher starting salaries.
SCSarah Chen

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov