PermanentPosted 30+ days ago
Associate Dentist
Aspen Dental · Ottumwa, IA
$200k–$230k/ year
Dentist jobs in Iowa City, IA
The median dentist pay in the Iowa City area is $82.98 per hour ($172,590 a year), with the typical range running from $77.39 to $100.24. That ranks 145th of 302 U.S. metro areas for dentist pay, and 113th of 279 once local prices are factored in. The free report below lists employers near Iowa City and what they pay.
- $82.98median pay per hour, Iowa City
- $77–$100typical range per hour
- 40dentists employed in the metro area
- 92cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Dentist pay in Iowa City, IA
The metro median is 1% below the Iowa statewide median of $84.13 per hour. Nationally the median is $83.07 per hour. BLS counts about 40 dentists, general employed in the Iowa City metro area, 0.5 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.63).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $47.56 | $98,920 | 43% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $77.39 | $160,970 | 7% below U.S. median |
| Median | $82.98 | $172,590 | in line with U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $100.24 | $208,500 | 21% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $115+ | $239,200+ | 38% above U.S. median |
How Iowa City ranks
- 145th of 302 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 113th of 279 after adjusting for local prices
- 6th of 7 Iowa metro areas
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 Iowa City
- Overall prices in Iowa City run 8% below the U.S. average (index 91.5, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 16% below the U.S. average (index 84.0).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $82.98 median hour buys what $90.68 buys at the national price level, 9% 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 Iowa City Dentist pay report
Named employers near Iowa City, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Iowa City paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$2,987
- Per year: $149,364
- Per month: $12,447
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Iowa City metro area. 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 Iowa City as they open.
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Dental health shortage areas in Johnson County
HRSA lists 1 active dental health shortage designation that include Johnson County (1 population-group). The highest-scoring one rates 19 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 23 mi | $77.84/hr | 137,904 |
| Davenport, IA | 48 mi | $95.20/hr | 100,938 |
| Waterloo, IA | 72 mi | $92.94/hr | 67,477 |
| Dubuque, IA | 72 mi | $94.32/hr | 58,987 |
| Ankeny, IA | 107 mi | $96.85/hr | 76,727 |
| Des Moines, IA | 108 mi | $96.85/hr | 213,096 |
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 Iowa City
Iowa City city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do dentists make in Iowa City, IA?
Dentists in the Iowa City metro area have a median pay of $82.98 per hour, about $172,590 a year. The middle half earn between $77.39 and $100.24 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Iowa City a good place for dentists once cost of living is counted?
Iowa City ranks 113th of 279 metro areas for dentist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 145th of 302 before adjusting. Overall prices run 8% below the U.S. average.
Do I need a Iowa license to work in Iowa City 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 Iowa City in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 1 active dental health shortage designation that include Johnson 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 Iowa City?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Iowa City and across Iowa. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Iowa City.
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What do employers near Iowa City pay dentists? Get the report.
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- 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+ Dentist roles in Iowa, sent free by email
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Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]
Your Dentist pay reportIowa City, 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.