PermanentPosted 30+ days ago
Associate Dentist
Aspen Dental · Ottumwa, IA
$200k–$230k/ year
Dentist jobs in Ames, IA
Dentists in Iowa earn a median of $84.13 per hour, about $174,990 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $59.44 and $100.96. That is 1% above the U.S. median of $83.07 per hour. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Ames.
- $84.13median pay per hour, Iowa
- $59–$101typical range per hour
- 89cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Dentist pay in Ames, IA
Nationally the median is $83.07 per hour. BLS counts about 850 dentists, general employed in Iowa.
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $40.32 | $83,870 | 51% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $59.44 | $123,640 | 28% below U.S. median |
| Median | $84.13 | $174,990 | 1% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $100.96 | $210,000 | 22% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $115+ | $239,200+ | 38% above U.S. median |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Dentists, General (SOC 29-1021), all industries. Figures marked $115+ are the BLS top-coded maximum. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Ames
- Overall prices in Ames run 11% below the U.S. average (index 88.8, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 31% below the U.S. average (index 69.2).
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 Ames Dentist pay report
Named employers near Ames, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Ames paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$3,029
- Per year: $151,434
- Per month: $12,620
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for Iowa. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Open Dentist roles in Iowa
Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Ames as they open.
For youUpdated weekly
20+ more Dentist roles for you in Iowa
Most are never shown on this page. Tell us your role and get the full list, with the pay on every one, in your inbox within 24 hours.
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Dental health shortage areas in Story County
HRSA lists 1 active dental health shortage designation that include Story County (1 population-group). 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.
Dentist pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ankeny, IA | 20 mi | $96.85/hr | 76,727 |
| Des Moines, IA | 31 mi | $96.85/hr | 213,096 |
| West Des Moines, IA | 34 mi | $96.85/hr | 73,664 |
| Waterloo, IA | 72 mi | $92.94/hr | 67,477 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 100 mi | $77.84/hr | 137,904 |
| Iowa City, IA | 111 mi | $82.98/hr | 76,710 |
License and tax basics in Iowa
Active dental license in the state of the job. 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 Ames
Ames city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do dentists make in Ames, IA?
Dentists in Iowa have a median pay of $84.13 per hour, about $174,990 a year. The middle half earn between $59.44 and $100.96 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Do I need a Iowa license to work in Ames as a dentist?
Active dental license in the state of the job. 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 Ames in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 1 active dental health shortage designation that include Story County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.
Does Valorem Health place dentists in Ames?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Ames and across Iowa. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Ames.
Free for every candidate
What do employers near Ames pay dentists? 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.
Get your free pay report
20+ Dentist 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.
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]
Your Dentist pay reportAmes, IA · employer-reported wage offers in federal filings, July 2025 – June 2026
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Community Health Care, Inc.Davenport, IA · 1 wage offer$96.15/ hr$96–$96
- Dental Connections, Inc.Des Moines, IA · 2 wage offers$95.02/ hr$77–$120
- Iowa Dental Health Professionals PCAnkeny, IA · 1 wage offer$93.75/ hr$94–$94
- Primary Health Care, Inc.Des Moines, IA · 1 wage offer$91.35/ hr$91–$91
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer reported in federal filings.
2What they are offering now
Low$41Median$87.74High$97
9 employer-reported wage offers for Dentist in federal filings in Iowa, July 2025 – June 2026. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 1 Dentist roles
- Associate DentistPermanent$200k–$230k/ year
Each one has pay, shift and start date.
I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.