Dentist salary in Iowa
Dentists in Iowa earn a median of $84.13 per hour, about $174,990 a year, 1% above the U.S. median of $83.07. The middle half earn between $59.44 and $100.96 per hour. The highest median among Iowa metro areas is in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, at $96.85 per hour. Source: BLS, May 2024.
- $84.13median pay per hour
- $174,990median pay per year
- 850dentists employed in Iowa
- #21of 45 states by median pay
Dentist pay in Iowa: percentiles
| Level | Iowa per hour | Iowa per year | U.S. per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $40.32 | $83,870 | $40.32 |
| Lower quartile | $59.44 | $123,640 | $60.62 |
| Median | $84.13 | $174,990 | $83.07 |
| Upper quartile | $100.96 | $210,000 | $105.95 |
| Top 10% | $115+ | $239,200+ | $115+ |
Figures marked $115+ are the BLS top-coded maximum.
Dentist pay by metro area in Iowa
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year | Employed | vs Iowa median | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $96.85 | $201,450 | 220 | 15% above | $105.61 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $95.20 | $198,020 | 90 | 13% above | $106.87 |
| Dubuque, IA | $94.32 | $196,180 | 40 | 12% above | $108.01 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $94.15 | $195,830 | 40 | 12% above | $108.90 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $92.94 | $193,310 | 40 | 10% above | $106.76 |
| Iowa City, IA | $82.98 | $172,590 | 40 | 1% below | $90.68 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $77.84 | $161,910 | 80 | 7% below | $87.50 |
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).
Dentist pay in states next to Iowa
| State | Median / hr | Median / year | Compared with Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $86.74 | $180,420 | 3% above Iowa |
| Minnesota | $100.87 | $209,820 | 20% above Iowa |
| Nebraska | $80.82 | $168,110 | 4% below Iowa |
| South Dakota | $78.30 | $162,860 | 7% below Iowa |
| Wisconsin | $99.35 | $206,650 | 18% above Iowa |
Dentist jobs in Iowa · Dentist salary nationwide · Iowa state guide
Common questions
How much does a dentist make in Iowa?
The median is $84.13 per hour, about $174,990 a year. The lowest 10% earn under $40.32 and the top 10% earn over $115+ (BLS, May 2024).
Which Iowa city pays dentists the most?
Among Iowa metro areas, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA has the highest median at $96.85 per hour. See the metro table for the rest and for pay after cost of living.
Where does Iowa rank for dentist pay?
Iowa ranks 21st of 45 states by median dentist 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 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.
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The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
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20+ Dentist roles in Iowa, sent free by email
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Your Dentist pay reportIowa · 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
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.