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verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Dental Assistant Salary in Iowa

Median Annual in Iowa
$48,430/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$23.28/hr
▲ 1% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Iowa

groups Employed in IA
3,210
public U.S. Median
$48,070
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$55,183 #7 of 50

Dental Assistant pay in Iowa, explained

Dental assistants in Iowa earn a median of $48,430 per year ($23.28 per hour), which is 1% above the national median of $48,070. Entry-level workers earn around $39,360, while the most experienced dental assistants reach about $59,580. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Iowa.

Is $48,430 good pay in Iowa?

Adjusted for Iowa's cost of living (which runs 88% of the U.S. average), that $48,430 is worth about $55,183 in national buying power — ranking Iowa #7 for real pay (vs #21 on the sticker number).

See the full Dental Assistant Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Dental Assistant pay by experience in Iowa

Entry level (10th pct)
$39,360
$18.92/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$48,430
$23.28/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$59,580
$28.64/hr

Dental Assistant pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs IA
Iowa (here) $48,430 $55,183 —
Minnesota $65,270 $66,183 −$16,840
Illinois $48,610 $48,630 −$180
South Dakota $47,900 $54,072 +$530
Wisconsin $47,520 $50,502 +$910
Nebraska $46,660 $51,785 +$1,770
Missouri $45,970 $50,618 +$2,460

Dental Assistant in Iowa: FAQ

How much do dental assistants make in Iowa?

Dental assistants in Iowa earn a median of $48,430 per year ($23.28 per hour), compared with $48,070 nationally.

Does Iowa pay dental assistants well?

At $48,430, Iowa pays 1% above the national median for dental assistants. An estimated 3,210 work in the state.

Dental Assistant salary in other states

Minnesota · $65,270 District of Columbia · $60,580 Maine · $60,070 New Hampshire · $59,530 Oregon · $59,490 Washington · $58,090 Massachusetts · $57,980 North Dakota · $57,770 Alaska · $57,710 Connecticut · $56,850 Vermont · $52,760 North Carolina · $50,380

All 50 states ranked arrow_forward

Related careers in Iowa

Dental Hygienist $84,010/yr median Medical Assistant $45,480/yr median Dentist $181,520/yr median