Dental Assistant salary in Iowa
Dental Assistants in Iowa earn a median of $22.99 per hour, about $47,820 a year, 1% above the U.S. median of $22.74. The middle half earn between $21.88 and $26.29 per hour. The highest median among Iowa metro areas is in Iowa City, IA, at $23.51 per hour. Source: BLS, May 2024.
- $22.99median pay per hour
- $47,820median pay per year
- 3,540dental assistants employed in Iowa
- #21of 50 states by median pay
Dental Assistant pay in Iowa: percentiles
| Level | Iowa per hour | Iowa per year | U.S. per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $18.58 | $38,650 | $17.40 |
| Lower quartile | $21.88 | $45,510 | $19.00 |
| Median | $22.99 | $47,820 | $22.74 |
| Upper quartile | $26.29 | $54,680 | $27.36 |
| Top 10% | $28.37 | $59,010 | $29.70 |
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in Iowa
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year | Employed | vs Iowa median | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $23.51 | $48,890 | 290 | 2% above | $25.69 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $23.41 | $48,680 | 770 | 2% above | $25.53 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $23.12 | $48,090 | 410 | 1% above | $25.99 |
| Ames, IA | $22.85 | $47,530 | 130 | 1% below | $25.72 |
| Dubuque, IA | $22.80 | $47,410 | 170 | 1% below | $26.11 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $22.76 | $47,340 | 400 | 1% below | $25.55 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $22.64 | $47,090 | 190 | 2% below | $26.19 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $22.50 | $46,800 | 190 | 2% below | $25.85 |
Metro areas with 30 or more workers in the BLS sample. After cost of living divides the median by the BEA regional price index (U.S. = 100).
Dental Assistant pay in states next to Iowa
What employers are posting in Iowa
- 10roles with published pay
- $21median pay per hour
- $18–$23typical published range
- 2employers hiring
| Employer | Roles | Median pay / hour |
|---|---|---|
| Aspen Dental | 9 | $21 |
| Smile Brands | 1 | $20.50 |
Midpoints of pay ranges in 10 postings collected October 15, 2026. Posted pay is a different measure from the BLS survey above and can run higher or lower.
Dental Assistant jobs in Iowa · Dental Assistant salary nationwide · Iowa state guide
Common questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Iowa?
The median is $22.99 per hour, about $47,820 a year. The lowest 10% earn under $18.58 and the top 10% earn over $28.37 (BLS, May 2024).
Which Iowa city pays dental assistants the most?
Among Iowa metro areas, Iowa City, IA has the highest median at $23.51 per hour. See the metro table for the rest and for pay after cost of living.
Where does Iowa rank for dental assistant pay?
Iowa ranks 21st of 50 states by median dental assistant pay.
Is this the same as the pay in job postings?
No. BLS figures come from a survey of employers and cover all workers in the occupation. Posted pay is the range an employer lists on one open role. Both are useful: use the survey for the market and the posting for a specific job.
What do employers near you pay dental assistants? Get the report.
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- 1Pay for your role at other employers
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Your Dental Assistant pay reportTop-paying employers shown · your Iowa list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Aspen DentalAnkeny, IA · 9 postings$21.00/ hr$17–$24
- Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry, P.C.Muscatine, IA · 1 wage offer$18.57/ hr$19–$19
- Aspen DentalSt. Louis Park, MN · 5 postings$37.50/ hr$22–$42
- Smile BrandsFaribault, MN · 3 postings$28.50/ hr$25–$35
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings. Request your Iowa list
2What they are offering now
10 Dental Assistant postings with published pay in Iowa, 7 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 10 Dental Assistant roles
- Dental Assistant - Expanded FunctionsPermanent$20.00–$23.00/ hour
- Dental AssistantPermanent$20.00–$24.00/ hour
+ 8 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.