IA · Sioux City · Updated October 15, 2026

Dental Assistant jobs in Sioux City, IA

The median dental assistant pay in the Sioux City area is $22.64 per hour ($47,090 a year), with the typical range running from $22.05 to $26.06. That ranks 136th of 383 U.S. metro areas for dental assistant pay, and 27th of 339 once local prices are factored in. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Sioux City.

Dental Assistant pay in Sioux City, IA

The metro median is 2% below the Iowa statewide median of $22.99 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.74 per hour. BLS counts about 190 dental assistants employed in the Sioux City metro area, 2.6 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.06).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$18.65$38,79018% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$22.05$45,8603% below U.S. median
Median$22.64$47,090in line with U.S. median
Upper quartile$26.06$54,20015% above U.S. median
Top 10%$28.34$58,95025% above U.S. median

How Sioux City ranks

  • 136th of 383 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 27th of 339 after adjusting for local prices
  • 7th 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 Sioux City

  • Overall prices in Sioux City run 14% below the U.S. average (index 86.5, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 42% below the U.S. average (index 57.8).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $22.64 median hour buys what $26.19 buys at the national price level, 15% 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.

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

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Estimate your Sioux City paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$815
  • Per year: $40,752
  • Per month: $3,396

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

Open Dental Assistant roles in Iowa

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Sioux City as they open.

PermanentPosted 2 days ago

Dental Assistant

Aspen Dental · Ankeny, IA

$20.00–$24.00/ hour
  • Full time
  • Req R2026-012851
Top 25% payNew this week
View role
PermanentPosted 8 days ago

Dental Assistant

Aspen Dental · Cedar Rapids, IA

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

All Dental Assistant jobs in Iowa

Dental health shortage areas in Woodbury County

HRSA lists 2 active dental health shortage designations that include Woodbury County (1 population-group, 1 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 17 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
Sioux Falls, SD74 mi$23.18/hr209,289
Omaha, NE87 mi$23.18/hr489,265
Council Bluffs, IA91 mi$23.18/hr62,665
Bellevue, NE96 mi$23.18/hr64,777
Lincoln, NE117 mi$22.68/hr300,619
Ames, IA145 mi$22.85/hr69,026

Dental Assistant jobs in Iowa · Dental Assistant jobs nationwide

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 Sioux City

Sioux City city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do dental assistants make in Sioux City, IA?

Dental Assistants in the Sioux City metro area have a median pay of $22.64 per hour, about $47,090 a year. The middle half earn between $22.05 and $26.06 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Sioux City a good place for dental assistants once cost of living is counted?

Sioux City ranks 27th of 339 metro areas for dental assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 136th of 383 before adjusting. Overall prices run 14% below the U.S. average.

Do I need a Iowa license to work in Sioux City 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 Sioux City in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 2 active dental health shortage designations that include Woodbury 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 Sioux City?

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

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What do employers near Sioux City pay dental assistants? Get the report.

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  1. 1
    Pay for your role at other employers

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    What they are offering now

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Pay report · Dental Assistant near Sioux City, 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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