Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in Ames
The median dental assistant earns $49,140 a year in the Ames metro, with the middle half between $47,650 and $58,640.[1]
25th percentile
$47,650
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$49,140
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$58,640
Upper end of the middle half
Ames runs about 1% higher than the Iowa median and ranks 3rd of 9 Iowa metros. It is about 2% higher than the national median.
Ames pay range vs. Iowa and the U.S.
| Percentile | Metro annual | Iowa annual | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $45,490 | $39,360 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $47,650 | $45,990 | $44,340 |
| Median | $49,140 | $48,430 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $58,640 | $57,620 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $60,270 | $59,580 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $51,500 | $50,450 | $50,200 |
110
2.02
0.81
For dental pros in Ames
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Dental Assistant salary in Ames: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in Ames?
The median dental assistant salary in the Ames metro area is $49,140, with the middle half earning between $47,650 and $58,640 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The full range runs from $45,490 at the 10th percentile to $60,270 at the 90th.
Is Ames higher or lower than the rest of Iowa?
Ames runs about 1% higher than the Iowa state median for dental assistants. It ranks 3rd of 9 Iowa metro areas by median pay. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures.)
How does Ames compare nationally?
Dental Assistant pay in Ames is about 2% higher than the U.S. median. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures, not adjusted for cost of living.)
How many dental assistants work in the Ames area?
BLS estimates 110 dental assistants were employed in the Ames metro area in May 2025. Its location quotient is 0.81, so the role is less concentrated than the national average.
Other Iowa metros