IA · Cedar Rapids · Updated October 15, 2026

Dental Assistant jobs in Cedar Rapids, IA

Dental Assistants in the Cedar Rapids area earn a median of $23.12 per hour, about $48,090 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $22.38 and $27.00. That ranks 91st of 383 U.S. metro areas for dental assistant pay, and 32nd of 339 once local prices are factored in. 3 open roles with published pay are listed for Cedar Rapids. The free report below lists employers near Cedar Rapids and what they pay.

Open Dental Assistant roles in Cedar Rapids

PermanentPosted 8 days ago

Dental Assistant

Aspen Dental · Cedar Rapids, IA

$20.00–$22.00/ hour
  • Full time
  • Req R2026-012625
View role

More open Dental Assistant roles in Cedar Rapids

1 more open role from employers in Cedar Rapids. Each employer’s range arrives with your free pay report.

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Named employers near Cedar Rapids, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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Who is hiring dental assistants near Cedar Rapids

EmployerRolesMedian pay / hour
Aspen Dental2$20
Smile Brands1$20.50

Dental Assistant pay in Cedar Rapids, IA

The metro median is 1% above the Iowa statewide median of $22.99 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.74 per hour. BLS counts about 410 dental assistants employed in the Cedar Rapids metro area, 2.9 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.20).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$19.26$40,06015% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$22.38$46,5502% below U.S. median
Median$23.12$48,0902% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$27.00$56,16019% above U.S. median
Top 10%$28.38$59,03025% above U.S. median

How Cedar Rapids ranks

  • 91st of 383 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 32nd of 339 after adjusting for local prices
  • 3rd of 8 Iowa metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Dental Assistants (SOC 31-9091), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Cedar Rapids

  • Overall prices in Cedar Rapids run 11% below the U.S. average (index 89.0, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 29% below the U.S. average (index 71.4).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $23.12 median hour buys what $25.99 buys at the national price level, 14% above the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

Estimate your Cedar Rapids paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$832
  • Per year: $41,616
  • Per month: $3,468

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Cedar Rapids metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Dental health shortage areas in Linn County

HRSA lists 1 active dental health shortage designation that include Linn County (1 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 25 on a 0 to 26 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.

Shortage areas are where demand for dentists, hygienists and dental assistants is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.

Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.

Dental Assistant pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Iowa City, IA23 mi$23.51/hr76,710
Waterloo, IA50 mi$22.50/hr67,477
Dubuque, IA62 mi$22.80/hr58,987
Davenport, IA62 mi$22.76/hr100,938
Ames, IA100 mi$22.85/hr69,026
Ankeny, IA100 mi$23.41/hr76,727

Dental Assistant jobs in Iowa · Dental Assistant jobs nationwide

Dental Assistant salary in Iowa

License and tax basics in Iowa

State registration, license or certificate where required, often including radiography. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Iowa requires for your role with the Iowa licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

Iowa taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

Iowa state guide

Other healthcare roles in Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do dental assistants make in Cedar Rapids, IA?

Dental Assistants in the Cedar Rapids metro area have a median pay of $23.12 per hour, about $48,090 a year. The middle half earn between $22.38 and $27.00 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Cedar Rapids a good place for dental assistants once cost of living is counted?

Cedar Rapids ranks 32nd of 339 metro areas for dental assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 91st of 383 before adjusting. Overall prices run 11% below the U.S. average.

Who is hiring dental assistants in Cedar Rapids?

We list 3 open roles with published pay from 2 employers in Cedar Rapids. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Cedar Rapids.

Do I need a Iowa license to work in Cedar Rapids as a dental assistant?

State registration, license or certificate where required, often including radiography. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Iowa requires for your role with the Iowa licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Is Cedar Rapids in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 1 active dental health shortage designation that include Linn County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.

Does Valorem Health place dental assistants in Cedar Rapids?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Cedar Rapids and across Iowa. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Cedar Rapids.

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What do employers near Cedar Rapids pay dental assistants? Get the report.

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  1. 1
    Pay for your role at other employers

    The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.

  2. 2
    What they are offering now

    The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.

  3. 3
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    Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.

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Pay report · Dental Assistant near Cedar Rapids, IA
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Dental Assistant pay reportTop-paying employers shown · your Iowa list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • Aspen DentalAnkeny, IA · 9 postings$21.00/ hr$17–$24
  • Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry, P.C.Muscatine, IA · 1 wage offer$18.57/ hr$19–$19
  • Aspen DentalSt. Louis Park, MN · 5 postings$37.50/ hr$22–$42
  • Smile BrandsFaribault, MN · 3 postings$28.50/ hr$25–$35

Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings. Request your Iowa list

2What they are offering now

Low$18Median$21.00High$23

10 Dental Assistant postings with published pay in Iowa, 7 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 10 Dental Assistant roles

  1. Dental Assistant - Expanded FunctionsPermanent
    $20.00–$23.00/ hour
    Aspen Dental · Des Moines, IA · posted yesterday
  2. Dental AssistantPermanent
    $20.00–$24.00/ hour
    Aspen Dental · Ankeny, IA · posted 2 days ago

+ 8 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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