Dental Hygienist Pay

Madison vs Marshfield: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

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

Madison, WI
$105,297
$50.62/hr
Marshfield, WI
$95,348
$45.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, WIMarshfield, WI
Median Salary$105,297$95,348
Hourly Rate$50.62$45.84
Entry Level (P10)$87,793$74,939
25th Percentile$99,095$81,234
75th Percentile$106,462$104,937
Top Earner (P90)$110,649$118,885
Total Employed6804
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($105,297) and Marshfield ($95,348) dental hygienist salaries.MadisonMarshfieldMedian Salary$105,297$95,348Entry Level (P10)$87,793$74,939Top Earner (P90)$110,649$118,885US Median $102,946

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Madison and Marshfield is $9,949 (10.43%). 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 Madison spans $22,856,Marshfield spans $43,946. Marshfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Madison
P10 (Entry)$87,793
P25$99,095
Median$105,297
P75$106,462
P90 (Top)$110,649
Marshfield
P10 (Entry)$74,939
P25$81,234
Median$95,348
P75$104,937
P90 (Top)$118,885

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($108,233 effective) pays 6.02% more than Marshfield ($102,086 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $105,297
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $108,233
Marshfield
Nominal: $95,348
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $102,086

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($105,297/year)
  • Larger job market (680 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,233)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Marshfield if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($118,885)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Madison grew 35.1% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 35.9% growth in Marshfield over the same period.

Madison, WI

+35.1%

$74,260 (2020) → $100,340 (2025)

Marshfield, WI

+35.9%

$66,847 (2020) → $90,860 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Madison or Marshfield?

Madison has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $105,297/year, compared to Marshfield at $95,348/year — a difference of $9,949 (10.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and Marshfield?

Madison dental hygienists earn $50.62/hr while Marshfield hygienists earn $45.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Madison to Marshfield as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and Marshfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $108,233, Marshfield = $102,086), job availability (680 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $87,793 in Madison and $74,939 in Marshfield. 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