Dental Hygienist Salary in Racine, WI: $100,018 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Racine, WI earns a median $100,018/year (≈ $48.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Racine's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $104,228 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Racine, Wisconsin, approximately 160 dental hygienists are actively contributing to the local healthcare landscape, reflecting a competitive job market for aspiring professionals in the field. With a projected median annual salary of $100,018 in 2026, dental hygienist pay in Racine exceeds expectations given the median salary falls slightly below the national average of $102,946. The salary range for this occupation spans from $84,949 at the 10th percentile to $119,327 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a healthy disparity based on experience and workplace setting. This data is derived from the 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, showcasing a growing demand for dental hygienists within the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,949 | $40.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,703 | $43.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,018 | $48.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,316 | $49.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,327 | $57.37 |
Median Salary Position
2.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Racine
In Racine, WI, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,378 (2026 est.). At $100,018, the local median is 2.84% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Racine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Racine Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Racine median: $100,018/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Racine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $100,723 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -2.84% less |
Dental Hygienists in Racine, WI earn a median of $100,018 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.84% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.70% below the Wisconsin state average of $100,723.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Racine has a cost of living 4.04% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Racine, WI has a cost-of-living index of 95.961 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $100,018 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,228 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.21% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$73,030
2025 BLS Actual
$95,310
2026 Current Est.
$100,018
2020–2027 Growth
+43.7%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Racine (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $73,030 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,770 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,018 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,959 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Racine metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 30.5% from $73,030 (2020) to $95,310 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,959 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,929 (43.72%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Racine 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) | $84,949 – $89,703 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,703 – $100,018 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,018 – $102,316 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,316 – $119,327 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Racine
While the compensation in Racine showcases promising figures, the local cost-of-living index of 95.961 suggests that take-home pay may stretch further than in many other areas. Dental hygienists working in multi-doctor group practices or Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) often enjoy the highest salaries, aided by production-based incentives and potential sign-on bonuses that entice new graduates. In contrast, solo dental practices may offer less financial security due to the lack of comprehensive benefits typically provided by larger organizations. Additionally, the varying pay can also be affected by weekly schedules, with those working fewer days potentially having opportunities for greater hourly rates. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in Racine, strategically considering employment at larger practices or DSOs and negotiating benefits can prove beneficial in navigating the local employment landscape.
More salary data for Racine, 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 $95,310 for dental hygienistsin the Racine 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