Dental Assistant salary in Iowa
What dental assistants earn in Iowa and its metro areas, compared with the rest of the country.
Median pay$48,430$23.28 per hour
vs U.S.+1%U.S. median $48,070
Middle half earn$45,990 – $57,620Top 10%: $59,580+
Jobs3,2100.83× the U.S. concentration
Dental Assistant pay in Iowa cities
Metro areas as BLS defines them. Click a column to sort.
| Metro area | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $48,020 | $23.09 | 1,150 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $50,020 | $24.05 | 660 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $47,410 | $22.79 | 380 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $48,310 | $23.23 | 370 |
| Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $44,700 | $21.49 | 360 |
| Iowa City, IA | $49,230 | $23.67 | 280 |
| Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $45,750 | $22.00 | 250 |
| Northeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $47,180 | $22.68 | 240 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $48,590 | $23.36 | 190 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $47,970 | $23.06 | 170 |
| Dubuque, IA | $47,850 | $23.00 | 160 |
| Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $45,810 | $22.02 | 130 |
| Ames, IA | $49,140 | $23.63 | 110 |
Hospitals and jobs in Iowa
Dental Assistant pay in similar states
Michigan · $48,820 Indiana · $48,670 Maryland · $48,620 Illinois · $48,610 Colorado · $48,340 New York · $48,110
Other healthcare salaries in Iowa
Registered Nurses · $78,630 Home Health and Personal Care Aides · $36,080 Nursing Assistants · $39,350 Medical Assistants · $45,480 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses · $62,630 Pharmacy Technicians · $44,860 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians · $54,260 Nurse Practitioners · $130,160 Pharmacists · $138,860 Radiologic Technologists and Technicians · $65,930 Physical Therapists · $97,560 Dental Hygienists · $84,010
Questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Iowa?
Dental Assistants in Iowa earned a median of $48,430 a year ($23.28 an hour) in May 2025, about the same as the national median of $48,070. The middle half earned $45,990 to $57,620.
Where in Iowa do dental assistants earn the most?
Among areas in Iowa, pay was highest in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA at $50,020.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all industries. Pay doesn't reflect cost of living, overtime or shift differentials.