Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dentist Salary in Ames
The median dentist earns $163,950 a year in the Ames metro, with the middle half between $131,520 and $205,620.[1]
25th percentile
$131,520
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$163,950
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$205,620
Upper end of the middle half
Ames runs about 10% lower than the Iowa median and ranks 7th of 9 Iowa metros. It is about 4% lower than the national median.
Ames pay range vs. Iowa and the U.S.
| Percentile | Metro annual | Iowa annual | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $97,050 | $100,920 | $86,250 |
| 25th percentile | $131,520 | $136,100 | $125,710 |
| Median | $163,950 | $181,520 | $170,950 |
| 75th percentile | $205,620 | $209,880 | $224,040 |
| 90th percentile | $275,260 | $259,990 | $319,630 |
| Mean (average) | $178,120 | $198,470 | $191,350 |
40
0.74
0.92
For dental pros in Ames
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Dentist salary in Ames: FAQ
How much do dentists make in Ames?
The median dentist salary in the Ames metro area is $163,950, with the middle half earning between $131,520 and $205,620 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The full range runs from $97,050 at the 10th percentile to $275,260 at the 90th.
Is Ames higher or lower than the rest of Iowa?
Ames runs about 10% lower than the Iowa state median for dentists. It ranks 7th of 9 Iowa metro areas by median pay. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures.)
How does Ames compare nationally?
Dentist pay in Ames is about 4% lower than the U.S. median. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures, not adjusted for cost of living.)
How many dentists work in the Ames area?
BLS estimates 40 dentists were employed in the Ames metro area in May 2025. Its location quotient is 0.92, so the role is close to the national average.
Other Iowa metros