Dental Assistant salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Dental Assistants in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $50,020 a year ($24.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 660 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,990 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 3% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $48,430. There are 1.6 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $52,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,810 | $21.55 |
| 25th percentile | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Median | $50,020 | $24.05 |
| 75th percentile | $57,850 | $27.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| Average (mean) | $52,570 | $25.27 |
Half of dental assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,168.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,084.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,923.85 |
| Weekly | $961.92 |
| Hourly | $24.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,020 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dental Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $49,230 | 280 |
| Ames, IA | $49,140 | 110 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $48,590 | 190 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $48,310 | 370 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $48,020 | 1,150 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $47,970 | 170 |
| Dubuque, IA | $47,850 | 160 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $47,410 | 380 |
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 |
| Maine | $60,070 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 |
| Oregon | $59,490 |
| Washington | $58,090 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 |
| Alaska | $57,710 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 |
See Dental Assistant pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $35,120 | $16.89 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,560 | $18.06 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,490 | $18.51 |
| Massage Therapist | $76,090 | $36.58 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $46,310 | $22.26 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,020 | $21.64 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,350 | $17.48 |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,940 | $21.13 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,360 | $29.50 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $29,120 | $14.00 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| Orderly | $37,090 | $17.83 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $50,020 a year, or $24.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $59,990 a year. The top 25% earn $57,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,810 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $47,840 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 660 dental assistants are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.