Dental Salaries in Iowa City, Iowa

Dentist: a median of $199,410 a year ($95.87 an hour). That is $17,890 above the Iowa dentist median of $181,520 and $28,460 above the national median of $170,950. It ranks 2nd of the 8 Iowa metro areas where BLS publishes a dentist median.

Dental Hygienist: a median of $92,020 a year ($44.24 an hour). That is $8,010 above the Iowa dental hygienist median of $84,010 and $6,080 below the national median of $98,100. It ranks 2nd of the 8 Iowa metro areas where BLS publishes a dental hygienist median.

Dental Assistant: a median of $49,230 a year ($23.67 an hour). That is $800 above the Iowa dental assistant median of $48,430 and $1,160 above the national median of $48,070. It ranks 2nd of the 8 Iowa metro areas where BLS publishes a dental assistant median.

Dentist: the middle half of Iowa City dentists earn $157,860 to $205,260. The lowest-paid tenth earn under $120,250 (against $100,920 statewide and $86,250 nationally). The top tenth earn over $252,920 (against $259,990 statewide and $319,630 nationally). The gap between the two is $132,670.

Dental Hygienist: the middle half of Iowa City dental hygienists earn $82,120 to $95,930. The lowest-paid tenth earn under $79,440 (against $78,320 statewide and $74,880 nationally). The top tenth earn over $98,470 (against $95,810 statewide and $126,050 nationally). The gap between the two is $19,030.

Dental Assistant: the middle half of Iowa City dental assistants earn $47,910 to $58,070. The lowest-paid tenth earn under $39,950 (against $39,360 statewide and $37,130 nationally). The top tenth earn over $58,850 (against $59,580 statewide and $62,250 nationally). The gap between the two is $18,900.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts the Iowa City metro's 2024 price level at 91.5 (U.S. = 100), so prices overall run 8.5% below the national average, and housing costs (index 84.0) run 16.0% below. Iowa as a whole sits at 87.8.

Converted to national average prices:

• Dentist: $199,410 here buys about what $217,910 buys at national average prices — $46,960 above the national median of $170,950.
• Dental Hygienist: $92,020 here buys about what $100,560 buys at national average prices — $2,460 above the national median of $98,100.
• Dental Assistant: $49,230 here buys about what $53,800 buys at national average prices — $5,730 above the national median of $48,070.

Dentists: about 50 jobs in the metro, or 0.489 per 1,000 jobs of all kinds. Dentists hold a 39% smaller share of local jobs than nationally (location quotient 0.61). BLS rates this Iowa City count as imprecise (relative standard error 27.2%), so treat it as a rough size.

Dental Hygienists: about 120 jobs in the metro, or 1.259 per 1,000 jobs of all kinds. Dental hygienists hold a 12% smaller share of local jobs than nationally (location quotient 0.88).

Dental Assistants: about 280 jobs in the metro, or 2.941 per 1,000 jobs of all kinds. Dental assistants hold an 18% larger share of local jobs than nationally (location quotient 1.18).

The closest metro areas with their own salary page and a published median for each role (distance between metro centers, up to 250 miles).

Dentist: Cedar Rapids (39 mi) pays $175,420, Davenport (62 mi) pays $168,170 and Des Moines (109 mi) pays $209,300. Iowa City's $199,410 is below 1 of the 3.

Dental Hygienist: Cedar Rapids (39 mi) pays $82,270, Davenport (62 mi) pays $82,000 and Des Moines (109 mi) pays $93,660. Iowa City's $92,020 is below 1 of the 3.

Dental Assistant: Cedar Rapids (39 mi) pays $48,310, Davenport (62 mi) pays $47,410 and Des Moines (109 mi) pays $50,020. Iowa City's $49,230 is below 1 of the 3.