Dental Hygienist salary in Ames, IA
Dental Hygienists in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $89,130 a year ($42.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,160 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $98,100. Pay here is 6% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $84,010. There are 1.5 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $86,810, close to the median.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,610 | $37.79 |
| 25th percentile | $80,870 | $38.88 |
| Median | $89,130 | $42.85 |
| 75th percentile | $93,970 | $45.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,160 | $45.75 |
| Average (mean) | $86,810 | $41.74 |
Half of dental hygienists 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 | $7,427.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,713.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,428.08 |
| Weekly | $1,714.04 |
| Hourly | $42.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $89,130 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 Hygienist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $94,170 | 580 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $93,660 | 750 |
| Iowa City, IA | $92,020 | 120 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $83,920 | 120 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $82,500 | 130 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $82,270 | 200 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $82,000 | 280 |
| Dubuque, IA | $81,410 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for dental hygienists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $137,220 |
| Alaska | $132,690 |
| Washington | $131,160 |
| California | $124,930 |
| Oregon | $122,080 |
| Nevada | $115,290 |
| Colorado | $109,580 |
| Maryland | $107,830 |
| New Jersey | $107,040 |
| New York | $106,130 |
See Dental Hygienist pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $77,160 | $37.09 |
| Veterinarian | $118,240 | $56.85 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,600 | $61.34 |
| Pharmacist | $139,690 | $67.16 |
| Physical Therapist | $90,610 | $43.56 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $248,000 | $119.23 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,170 | $39.99 |
| Dentists, General | $163,950 | $78.82 |
| Occupational Therapist | $73,810 | $35.49 |
| Chiropractor | $56,890 | $27.35 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $50,730 | $24.39 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $65,610 | $31.55 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $56,380 | $27.10 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1292. 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 hygienist make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for dental hygienists in the Ames, IA metro area is $89,130 a year, or $42.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $95,160 a year. The top 25% earn $93,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,610 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $80,870 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Ames, IA?
About 80 dental hygienists are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.