PermanentPosted 30+ days ago
Associate Dentist
Aspen Dental · Ottumwa, IA
$200k–$230k/ year
Dentist jobs in West Des Moines, IA
Dentists in the West Des Moines area earn a median of $96.85 per hour, about $201,450 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $84.13 and $100.96. That ranks 48th of 302 U.S. metro areas for dentist pay, and 34th of 279 once local prices are factored in. Tell us your role and we email current openings near West Des Moines.
- $96.85median pay per hour, Des Moines
- $84–$101typical range per hour
- 220dentists employed in the metro area
- 92cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Dentist pay in West Des Moines, IA
The metro median is 15% above the Iowa statewide median of $84.13 per hour. Nationally the median is $83.07 per hour. BLS counts about 220 dentists, general employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines metro area, 0.5 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.73).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $61.32 | $127,550 | 26% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $84.13 | $174,990 | 1% above U.S. median |
| Median | $96.85 | $201,450 | 17% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $100.96 | $210,000 | 22% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $100.96 | $210,000 | 22% above U.S. median |
How West Des Moines ranks
- 48th of 302 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 34th of 279 after adjusting for local prices
- 1st 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. 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 $96.85 median hour buys what $105.61 buys at the national price level, 27% 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 Dentist 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
Estimated weekly gross$3,487
- Per year: $174,330
- Per month: $14,528
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.
Open Dentist roles in Iowa
Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in West Des Moines as they open.
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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.
Dentist pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 9 mi | $96.85/hr | 213,096 |
| Ankeny, IA | 16 mi | $96.85/hr | 76,727 |
| Ames, IA | 34 mi | $84.13/hr | 69,026 |
| Waterloo, IA | 98 mi | $92.94/hr | 67,477 |
| Council Bluffs, IA | 110 mi | $96.44/hr | 62,665 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 112 mi | $77.84/hr | 137,904 |
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 West Des Moines
West Des Moines city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do dentists make in West Des Moines, IA?
Dentists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines metro area have a median pay of $96.85 per hour, about $201,450 a year. The middle half earn between $84.13 and $100.96 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is West Des Moines a good place for dentists once cost of living is counted?
Des Moines-West Des Moines ranks 34th of 279 metro areas for dentist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 48th of 302 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 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 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 dentists 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.
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What do employers near West Des Moines 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.
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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 reportWest Des Moines, 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.