Dental Assistant Salary in Iowa
Dental Assistants in Iowa earn a median of $48,430 a year, or $23.28 an hour. That ranks Iowa #21 of 50 states and is $360 more than the national median.
- Median / year
- $48,430
- Median / hour
- $23.28
- Employed
- 3,210
- National rank
- #21of 50
Pay range in Iowa
Dental Assistant pay by Iowa metro area
| Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $50,020 | 660 |
| Iowa City, IA | $49,230 | 280 |
| Ames, IA | $49,140 | 110 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $48,590 | 190 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $48,310 | 370 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $48,020 | 1,150 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $47,970 | 170 |
| Dubuque, IA | $47,850 | 160 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $47,410 | 380 |
FAQ
How much does a dental assistant make in Iowa?
The median annual wage is $48,430 ($23.28 per hour), according to the BLS for May 2025. That is $360 above the U.S. median of $48,070.
What do entry-level dental assistants make in Iowa?
The lowest-paid 10% of Iowa dental assistants earned $39,360 or less ($18.92/hour), a reasonable estimate for new graduates.
Where do dental assistants earn the most in Iowa?
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA has the highest metro median at $50,020.
How many dental assistants work in Iowa?
About 3,210 dental assistants were employed in Iowa in May 2025.