Dental Lab Technician jobs in Council Bluffs, IA
Dental Lab Technicians in the Council Bluffs area earn a median of $22.89 per hour, about $47,600 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $18.99 and $30.20. That ranks 78th of 133 U.S. metro areas for dental lab technician pay, and 43rd of 130 once local prices are factored in. The free report below lists employers near Council Bluffs and what they pay.
- $22.89median pay per hour, Omaha
- $19–$30typical range per hour
- 120dental lab technicians employed in the metro area
- 92cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Dental Lab Technician pay in Council Bluffs, IA
The metro median is 2% below the Iowa statewide median of $23.34 per hour. Nationally the median is $23.23 per hour. BLS counts about 120 dental laboratory technicians employed in the Omaha metro area, 0.2 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.10).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $18.48 | $38,440 | 20% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $18.99 | $39,500 | 18% below U.S. median |
| Median | $22.89 | $47,600 | 1% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $30.20 | $62,820 | 30% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $36.75 | $76,440 | 58% above U.S. median |
How Council Bluffs ranks
- 78th of 133 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 43rd of 130 after adjusting for local prices
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Dental Laboratory Technicians (SOC 51-9081), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Council Bluffs
- Overall prices in Omaha run 8% below the U.S. average (index 91.9, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 14% below the U.S. average (index 86.4).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $22.89 median hour buys what $24.90 buys at the national price level, 7% 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.
Get the Council Bluffs Dental Lab Technician pay report
Named employers near Council Bluffs, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Council Bluffs paycheck
- Per year: $41,202
- Per month: $3,434
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Omaha metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Dental health shortage areas in Pottawattamie County
HRSA lists 2 active dental health shortage designations that include Pottawattamie County (2 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 23 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 Lab Technician pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue, NE | 8 mi | $22.89/hr | 64,777 |
| Omaha, NE | 11 mi | $22.89/hr | 489,265 |
| Lincoln, NE | 52 mi | $23.76/hr | 300,619 |
| Sioux City, IA | 91 mi | $23.34/hr | 86,875 |
| West Des Moines, IA | 110 mi | $24.02/hr | 73,664 |
| St. Joseph, MO | 116 mi | $22.55/hr | 71,098 |
Dental Lab Technician jobs in Iowa · Dental Lab Technician jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Iowa
Dental laboratory training or on-the-job experience. 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.
Other healthcare roles in Council Bluffs
Council Bluffs city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do dental lab technicians make in Council Bluffs, IA?
Dental Lab Technicians in the Omaha metro area have a median pay of $22.89 per hour, about $47,600 a year. The middle half earn between $18.99 and $30.20 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Council Bluffs a good place for dental lab technicians once cost of living is counted?
Omaha ranks 43rd of 130 metro areas for dental lab technician pay after adjusting for local prices, and 78th of 133 before adjusting. Overall prices run 8% below the U.S. average.
Do I need a Iowa license to work in Council Bluffs as a dental lab technician?
Dental laboratory training or on-the-job experience. 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 Council Bluffs in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 2 active dental health shortage designations that include Pottawattamie County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.
Does Valorem Health place dental lab technicians in Council Bluffs?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Council Bluffs and across Iowa. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Council Bluffs.
What do employers near Council Bluffs pay dental lab technicians? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other employers
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
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20+ Dental Lab Technician roles in Iowa, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your Lab Tech pay reportTop-paying employers shown · your Iowa list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Aspen DentalZanesville, OH · 3 postings$29.50/ hr$25–$33
- ClearChoice Dental Implant CentersWest Palm Beach, FL · 1 posting$36.50/ hr$35–$38
- Veterans Health AdministrationRedlands, CA · 1 posting$36.02/ hr$31–$41
- ClearChoice Dental Implant CentersRochester, NY · 1 posting$36.00/ hr$32–$40
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Iowa list
2What they are offering now
24 Lab Tech postings with published pay in the US, 12 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open Lab Tech roles
Open Lab Tech roles near Council Bluffs, IA, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.