Dental Hygienist Pay

Greenfield vs Milwaukee: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Greenfield, WI and Milwaukee, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Greenfield, WI
$100,095
$48.13/hr
Milwaukee, WI
$103,660
$49.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGreenfield, WIMilwaukee, WI
Median Salary$100,095$103,660
Hourly Rate$48.13$49.84
Entry Level (P10)$79,115$55,093
25th Percentile$86,076$87,698
75th Percentile$108,053$111,278
Top Earner (P90)$122,464$119,831
Total Employed91,360
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Greenfield ($100,095) and Milwaukee ($103,660) dental hygienist salaries.GreenfieldMilwaukeeMedian Salary$100,095$103,660Entry Level (P10)$79,115$55,093Top Earner (P90)$122,464$119,831US Median $102,946

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Greenfield.

The salary gap between Greenfield and Milwaukee is $3,565 (3.56%). Milwaukee's median is +0.69% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Greenfield spans $43,349,Milwaukee spans $64,738. Milwaukee has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Greenfield
P10 (Entry)$79,115
P25$86,076
Median$100,095
P75$108,053
P90 (Top)$122,464
Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$55,093
P25$87,698
Median$103,660
P75$111,278
P90 (Top)$119,831

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Greenfield ($107,168 effective) pays 0.22% more than Milwaukee ($106,935 effective).

Greenfield
Nominal: $100,095
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $107,168
Milwaukee
Nominal: $103,660
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $106,935

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Greenfield if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($122,464)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $107,168)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,660/year)
  • Larger job market (1,360 employed)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Greenfield grew 35.9% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 38.8% growth in Milwaukee over the same period.

Greenfield, WI

+35.9%

$70,174 (2020) → $95,383 (2025)

Milwaukee, WI

+38.8%

$71,160 (2020) → $98,780 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Greenfield or Milwaukee?

Milwaukee has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $103,660/year, compared to Greenfield at $100,095/year — a difference of $3,565 (3.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Greenfield and Milwaukee?

Greenfield dental hygienists earn $48.13/hr while Milwaukee hygienists earn $49.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Greenfield to Milwaukee as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Greenfield and Milwaukee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Greenfield = $107,168, Milwaukee = $106,935), job availability (9 vs 1,360 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Greenfield vs Milwaukee?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $79,115 in Greenfield and $55,093 in Milwaukee. The Greenfield 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