Dental Hygienist Pay

Green Bay vs Madison: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

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

Green Bay, WI
$96,461
$46.37/hr
Madison, WI
$105,297
$50.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGreen Bay, WIMadison, WI
Median Salary$96,461$105,297
Hourly Rate$46.37$50.62
Entry Level (P10)$84,687$87,793
25th Percentile$87,677$99,095
75th Percentile$98,853$106,462
Top Earner (P90)$103,041$110,649
Total Employed340680
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Green Bay ($96,461) and Madison ($105,297) dental hygienist salaries.Green BayMadisonMedian Salary$96,461$105,297Entry Level (P10)$84,687$87,793Top Earner (P90)$103,041$110,649US Median $102,946

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Green Bay and Madison is $8,836 (9.16%). Madison's median is +2.28% 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,Madison spans $22,856. Madison 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
Madison
P10 (Entry)$87,793
P25$99,095
Median$105,297
P75$106,462
P90 (Top)$110,649

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($108,233 effective) pays 4.45% more than Green Bay ($103,626 effective).

Green Bay
Nominal: $96,461
CoL Index: 93.086
Adjusted: $103,626
Madison
Nominal: $105,297
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $108,233

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Green Bay if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($105,297/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($110,649)
  • Larger job market (680 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,233)
  • 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 35.1% growth in Madison over the same period.

Green Bay, WI

+37.1%

$67,050 (2020) → $91,920 (2025)

Madison, WI

+35.1%

$74,260 (2020) → $100,340 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Madison has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $105,297/year, compared to Green Bay at $96,461/year — a difference of $8,836 (9.16%).

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

Green Bay dental hygienists earn $46.37/hr while Madison hygienists earn $50.62/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Green Bay and Madison. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Green Bay = $103,626, Madison = $108,233), job availability (340 vs 680 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $84,687 in Green Bay and $87,793 in Madison. The Madison 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