Dental Lab Technician jobs in West Des Moines, IA
Pay for dental lab technicians in the West Des Moines area centers on $24.02 per hour, or about $49,970 a year. The lower quarter earns under $21.47 and the upper quarter over $29.28. That ranks 41st of 133 U.S. metro areas for dental lab technician pay, and 24th of 130 once local prices are factored in. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near West Des Moines.
- $24.02median pay per hour, Des Moines
- $21–$29typical range per hour
- 70dental lab technicians employed in the metro area
- 92cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Dental Lab Technician pay in West Des Moines, IA
The metro median is 3% above the Iowa statewide median of $23.34 per hour. Nationally the median is $23.23 per hour. BLS counts about 70 dental laboratory technicians employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines metro area, 0.2 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.77).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $16.81 | $34,960 | 28% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $21.47 | $44,660 | 8% below U.S. median |
| Median | $24.02 | $49,970 | 3% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $29.28 | $60,900 | 26% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $33.74 | $70,180 | 45% above U.S. median |
How West Des Moines ranks
- 41st of 133 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 24th of 130 after adjusting for local prices
- 2nd of 3 Iowa metro areas
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 West Des Moines
- Overall prices in Des Moines-West Des Moines run 8% below the U.S. average (index 91.7, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 15% below the U.S. average (index 84.7).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $24.02 median hour buys what $26.19 buys at the national price level, 13% 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 West Des Moines Dental Lab Technician pay report
Named employers near West Des Moines, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your West Des Moines paycheck
- Per year: $43,236
- Per month: $3,603
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Des Moines-West Des Moines metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Dental health shortage areas in Polk County
HRSA lists 3 active dental health shortage designations that include Polk County (1 population-group, 2 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 Lab Technician pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 9 mi | $24.02/hr | 213,096 |
| Ankeny, IA | 16 mi | $24.02/hr | 76,727 |
| Ames, IA | 34 mi | $23.34/hr | 69,026 |
| Waterloo, IA | 98 mi | $23.34/hr | 67,477 |
| Council Bluffs, IA | 110 mi | $22.89/hr | 62,665 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 112 mi | $24.52/hr | 137,904 |
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 West Des Moines
West Des Moines city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do dental lab technicians make in West Des Moines, IA?
Dental Lab Technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines metro area have a median pay of $24.02 per hour, about $49,970 a year. The middle half earn between $21.47 and $29.28 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is West Des Moines a good place for dental lab technicians once cost of living is counted?
Des Moines-West Des Moines ranks 24th of 130 metro areas for dental lab technician pay after adjusting for local prices, and 41st of 133 before adjusting. Overall prices run 8% below the U.S. average.
Do I need a Iowa license to work in West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 3 active dental health shortage designations that include Polk 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 West Des Moines?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in West Des Moines and across Iowa. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near West Des Moines.
What do employers near West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines, IA, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.