Dental Assistant in Wisconsin

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for WI. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary
$48,000
trending_up +1.5% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Wisconsin.

engineering
6,720

Jobs (WI)

monitoring Strong
+6.4%

10-yr job growth

schedule
On-the-job training or 9-12 months for a CODA-accredited program. EFDA program length is at least 70 hours of classroom instruction.

Time to complete

route How to become a dental assistant in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, basic dental assistants are not required to be licensed or certified by the state. The Wisconsin Dentistry Examining Board oversees the dental profession, and supervising dentists are responsible for ensuring their dental assistants are competent. For those seeking to perform expanded functions, certification as an Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) is available through the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), requiring specific education, experience, and CPR certification.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $39,930
25th percentile $45,490
50th (median) $48,000
75th percentile $54,880
90th (experienced) $58,910

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Wisconsin. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Wisconsin requirements

Licensing bodyWisconsin Dentistry Examining Board
State license Not required
EducationHigh school diploma or GED equivalent. For Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) certification, completion of an accredited instructional program of at least 70 hours of classroom instruction is required, with prerequisites of either 1,000 hours of dental assisting practice and DANB CDA certification, or 2,000 hours of dental assisting practice verified by a supervising dentist.
ExamNo state exam for basic dental assistants. For EFDA certification, no specific exam is mentioned beyond program completion. For Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) or radiography certification, DANB exams are required.
NotesWisconsin does not license basic dental assistants. The supervising dentist is responsible for ensuring competency. Expanded Function Dental Auxiliaries (EFDAs) are certified and have specific education and experience requirements, including CPR certification and continuing education. There are no state radiography requirements for dental assistants; they may legally operate dental x-ray equipment and perform radiographic procedures. Minimum age of 18 is generally required for formal education programs.

Source: Wisconsin Dentistry Examining Board

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth
+6.4%
Faster than average
Annual openings
52,900
Nationwide per year
Total employment
381,900
Nationwide
neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -0.53/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

  • infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
  • check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+6.4%)
  • check_circleLow AI disruption risk
psychology
Wondering if a dental assistant career is the right fit?
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Frequently asked questions

How do I become a dental assistant in Wisconsin? expand_more
In Wisconsin, becoming a dental assistant requires you to complete the required education (High school diploma or GED equivalent. For Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) certification, completion of an accredited instructional program of at least 70 hours of classroom instruction is required, with prerequisites of either 1,000 hours of dental assisting practice and DANB CDA certification, or 2,000 hours of dental assisting practice verified by a supervising dentist.), and pass the No state exam for basic dental assistants. For EFDA certification, no specific exam is mentioned beyond program completion. For Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) or radiography certification, DANB exams are required..
Can I work as a dental assistant in Wisconsin without a license? expand_more
Wisconsin does not require a state license for dental assistants. Note: Wisconsin does not license basic dental assistants. The supervising dentist is responsible for ensuring competency. Expanded Function Dental Auxiliaries (EFDAs) are certified and have specific education and experience requirements, including CPR certification and continuing education. There are no state radiography requirements for dental assistants; they may legally operate dental x-ray equipment and perform radiographic procedures. Minimum age of 18 is generally required for formal education programs.
How much do dental assistants make in Wisconsin? expand_more
The median dental assistant salary in Wisconsin is $48,000 per year. That's roughly in line with the $47,300 national median. The range spans from $39,930 at the entry level to $58,910 for top earners.
What's the timeline to become a dental assistant in Wisconsin? expand_more
The typical timeline in Wisconsin is On-the-job training or 9-12 months for a CODA-accredited program. EFDA program length is at least 70 hours of classroom instruction.. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

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