Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls
The median dental assistant earns $47,970 a year in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metro, with the middle half between $46,840 and $57,520.[1]
25th percentile
$46,840
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$47,970
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$57,520
Upper end of the middle half
Waterloo-Cedar Falls runs about the same as the Iowa median and ranks 7th of 9 Iowa metros. It is about the same as the national median.
Waterloo-Cedar Falls pay range vs. Iowa and the U.S.
| Percentile | Metro annual | Iowa annual | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,150 | $39,360 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $46,840 | $45,990 | $44,340 |
| Median | $47,970 | $48,430 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $57,520 | $57,620 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $59,360 | $59,580 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $50,510 | $50,450 | $50,200 |
170
2.03
0.81
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Dental Assistant salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls?
The median dental assistant salary in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metro area is $47,970, with the middle half earning between $46,840 and $57,520 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The full range runs from $38,150 at the 10th percentile to $59,360 at the 90th.
Is Waterloo-Cedar Falls higher or lower than the rest of Iowa?
Waterloo-Cedar Falls runs about the same as the Iowa state median for dental assistants. It ranks 7th of 9 Iowa metro areas by median pay. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures.)
How does Waterloo-Cedar Falls compare nationally?
Dental Assistant pay in Waterloo-Cedar Falls is about the same as the U.S. median. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures, not adjusted for cost of living.)
How many dental assistants work in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls area?
BLS estimates 170 dental assistants were employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metro area in May 2025. Its location quotient is 0.81, so the role is less concentrated than the national average.
Other Iowa metros