Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in Iowa
The median dental hygienist earns $84,010 a year in Iowa ($40.39 an hour), with the middle half earning between $80,950 and $93,880.[1]
25th percentile
$80,950
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$84,010
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$93,880
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $84,010 per year or $40.39/hr at the median. Iowa runs about 14% 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 hygienists 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 | $37.65 | $78,320 | $36.00 | $74,880 |
| 25th percentile | $38.92 | $80,950 | $40.18 | $83,570 |
| Median | $40.39 | $84,010 | $47.16 | $98,100 |
| 75th percentile | $45.14 | $93,880 | $52.16 | $108,480 |
| 90th percentile | $46.06 | $95,810 | $60.60 | $126,050 |
| Mean (average) | $41.65 | $86,640 | $47.59 | $98,990 |
How many dental hygienists work in Iowa
2,440
1.56
1.09
How Iowa compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $84,010 in Iowa vs. $98,100 nationally, $14,090 (14%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $78,320 vs. $74,880, 5% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $95,810 vs. $126,050, 24% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 14.4% in Iowa vs. 7% nationally.
Dental Hygienist pay by metro area in Iowa
All 9 Iowa metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | $94,170 | $91,670–$96,310 | 580 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $93,660 | $83,010–$94,500 | 750 |
| Iowa City | $92,020 | $82,120–$95,930 | 120 |
| Ames | $89,130 | $80,870–$93,970 | 80 |
| Sioux City | $83,920 | $81,130–$93,750 | 120 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $82,500 | $80,250–$92,760 | 130 |
| Cedar Rapids | $82,270 | $80,760–$91,950 | 200 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $82,000 | $78,120–$93,600 | 280 |
| Dubuque | $81,410 | $79,750–$89,630 | 110 |
Job outlook for dental hygienists in Iowa
Iowa's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 14.4% over 2024–2034, from 2,230 to 2,550 jobs, with about 180 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 7%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dental hygienist employment to grow 8% over 2025–35, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 15,000 openings a year.[4]
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 hygienist pay in Iowa
Pay for a dental hygienist 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.
For dental pros
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Dental Hygienist salary in Iowa: FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in Iowa?
The median annual wage for dental hygienists in Iowa was $84,010 ($40.39 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $80,950 and $93,880. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $78,320 and the top 10% earned over $95,810.
Do dental hygienists in Iowa earn more than the national median?
No. The Iowa median of $84,010 is lower than the U.S. median of $98,100. That is $14,090 (14%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Iowa metro area pays dental hygienists the most?
Among the 9 Iowa metro areas with published BLS data, Omaha has the highest median at $94,170 a year. Dubuque has the lowest, at $81,410.
How many dental hygienists work in Iowa?
BLS estimates 2,440 dental hygienists were employed in Iowa in May 2025. That is 1.56 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.09, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dental hygienists growing in Iowa?
Iowa's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 14.4% over 2024–2034, from 2,230 to 2,550 jobs. That works out to about 180 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 7%.
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Dental Hygienist salary by state
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dental Hygienists (29-1292), 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 Hygienists
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Hygienists