How Much Can a Dental Assistant Earn in Iowa?
Known for its miles and miles of cornfields, Iowa’s population of just over three million is largely concentrated in a few urban areas. These areas are in particular need of qualified Iowa dental assistants as the entire healthcare industry grows.
Across the country, the number of positions for dental assistants is rising. Iowa had nearly 3,000 employed in 2016, and that number is expected to rise to almost 3,500 by 2026. This represents job growth of 16.9 percent, a faster rate of growth than the average across all careers.
In Iowa, dental assistants earn a little bit more than the national average. The top ten percent of earners in the field make more than $52,000 per year in the state.
AreaName | Base Year | Employed | Projection Year | Projected Employment | Change | % Change | Projected Average Annual Job Openings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
United States | 2018 | 346,000 | 2026 | 384,700 | 38,700 | 19.5% | 44,800 |
Iowa | 2016 | 2,970 | 2026 | 3,470 | 500 | 16.8% | 400 |
State | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
U.S. | 351,470 | $19.79 | $41,170 | $27,980 | $33,440 | $40,080 | $48,550 | $56,930 |
Iowa | 3,300 | $20.29 | $42,210 | $32,810 | $36,470 | $41,870 | $47,940 | $52,620 |
The metro area that includes Council Bluffs and Omaha in the state of Nebraska has the highest number of working dental assistants, but it also has the lowest salaries by more than $7,000 on average. The highest salaries are in and around Cedar Rapids.
Area | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ames, IA | 130 | $22.22 | $46,220 | $36,540 | $41,060 | $45,940 | $51,070 | $58,850 |
Cedar Rapids, IA | 340 | $22.96 | $47,760 | $36,230 | $40,580 | $46,310 | $53,170 | $62,860 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 400 | $17.03 | $35,420 | $26,400 | $29,990 | $35,230 | $40,180 | $46,620 |
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 530 | $21.02 | $43,720 | $33,860 | $40,520 | $44,760 | $48,850 | $51,700 |
Dubuque, IA | 160 | $20.00 | $41,590 | $33,260 | $37,480 | $42,550 | $47,150 | $49,930 |
Iowa City, IA | 250 | $20.30 | $42,230 | $33,650 | $36,080 | $40,000 | $48,380 | $55,390 |
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA | 1070 | $19.46 | $40,490 | $29,860 | $34,220 | $38,820 | $46,670 | $53,960 |
Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 210 | $21.00 | $43,680 | $34,330 | $37,710 | $42,830 | $48,900 | $56,670 |
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 220 | $17.75 | $36,910 | $28,490 | $34,110 | $37,360 | $40,740 | $44,900 |
When compared to similar careers in the state, dental assistants earn a decent salary, more than nursing assistants, medical assistants and pharmacy technicians. Physical therapist assistants can earn between $51,000 and $71,000 per year in Iowa.
Occupation | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pharmacy Technicians | 4270 | $16.07 | $33,430 | $24,070 | $27,970 | $33,100 | $38,130 | $44,410 |
Nursing Assistants | 22450 | $14.67 | $30,520 | $24,040 | $26,710 | $29,630 | $33,550 | $39,200 |
Physical Therapist Assistants | 1030 | $24.84 | $51,670 | $35,780 | $42,490 | $49,910 | $60,600 | $71,700 |
Dental Assistants | 3300 | $20.29 | $42,210 | $32,810 | $36,470 | $41,870 | $47,940 | $52,620 |
Medical Assistants | 4970 | $17.25 | $35,880 | $27,130 | $30,980 | $35,610 | $40,190 | $47,210 |