Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Lab Technician Salary in Iowa
The median dental lab technician earns $47,520 a year in Iowa ($22.85 an hour), with the middle half earning between $38,890 and $58,170.[1]
25th percentile
$38,890
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$47,520
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$58,170
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $47,520 per year or $22.85/hr at the median. Iowa runs about 4% lower than the national median.
The full pay range in Iowa
BLS publishes five points on the pay curve. The 10th percentile is a reasonable read on entry pay, and the 90th shows what the best-paid dental lab technicians in Iowa earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Iowa hourly | Iowa annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $17.19 | $35,750 | $17.62 | $36,660 |
| 25th percentile | $18.70 | $38,890 | $19.43 | $40,420 |
| Median | $22.85 | $47,520 | $23.85 | $49,610 |
| 75th percentile | $27.96 | $58,170 | $29.84 | $62,070 |
| 90th percentile | $32.43 | $67,450 | $36.99 | $76,940 |
| Mean (average) | $25.34 | $52,700 | $26.10 | $54,290 |
How many dental lab technicians work in Iowa
380
0.24
1.11
How Iowa compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $47,520 in Iowa vs. $49,610 nationally, $2,090 (4%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $35,750 vs. $36,660, 2% lower.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $67,450 vs. $76,940, 12% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): -1% in Iowa vs. -4.5% nationally.
Dental Lab Technician pay by metro area in Iowa
All 3 Iowa metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | $58,630 | $50,790–$61,540 | 90 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $47,550 | $41,290–$57,490 | 50 |
| Cedar Rapids | $47,030 | $38,890–$62,300 | 140 |
Job outlook for dental lab technicians in Iowa
Iowa's official long-term projections expect employment of dental lab technicians to change 1% over 2024–2034, from 410 to 400 jobs, with about 50 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is -4.5%.
Openings include replacements for people who retire or change careers, which is why they can far exceed net growth. For what this means for hiring, see The dental hiring shortage, by the numbers.
What drives dental lab technician pay in Iowa
Pay for a dental lab technician depends on experience, setting, and metro. The metro table above shows how much location alone moves the median. Group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) compete for talent across many locations, and benefits, schedules and bonuses can matter as much as base pay.
Hiring an outside agency is one way practices fill gaps, and it is expensive. See what agencies charge in What dental staffing agencies actually charge.
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Dental Lab Technician salary in Iowa: FAQ
How much do dental lab technicians make in Iowa?
The median annual wage for dental lab technicians in Iowa was $47,520 ($22.85 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $38,890 and $58,170. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $35,750 and the top 10% earned over $67,450.
Do dental lab technicians in Iowa earn more than the national median?
No. The Iowa median of $47,520 is lower than the U.S. median of $49,610. That is $2,090 (4%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Iowa metro area pays dental lab technicians the most?
Among the 3 Iowa metro areas with published BLS data, Omaha has the highest median at $58,630 a year. Cedar Rapids has the lowest, at $47,030.
How many dental lab technicians work in Iowa?
BLS estimates 380 dental lab technicians were employed in Iowa in May 2025. That is 0.24 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.11, meaning the role is more concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dental lab technicians growing in Iowa?
Iowa's official long-term projections expect employment of dental lab technicians to change 1% over 2024–2034, from 410 to 400 jobs. That works out to about 50 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is -4.5%.
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Dental Lab Technician salary by state
- Dental Lab Technician salary in California
- Dental Lab Technician salary in Texas
- Dental Lab Technician salary in Florida
- Dental Lab Technician salary in New York
- Dental Lab Technician salary in Illinois
- Dental Lab Technician salary in Pennsylvania
- Dental Lab Technician salary in Ohio
- Dental Lab Technician salary in Georgia
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dental Laboratory Technicians (51-9081), national, state and metro estimates
- 2.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 time-series data files (percentiles, employment, location quotients)
- 3.Projections Central, Iowa long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Laboratory Technicians