Dental Hygienist salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Dental Hygienists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $93,660 a year ($45.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 750 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,060 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $98,100. Pay here is 11% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $84,010. There are 1.9 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $88,400, close to the median.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,630 | $35.88 |
| 25th percentile | $83,010 | $39.91 |
| Median | $93,660 | $45.03 |
| 75th percentile | $94,500 | $45.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,060 | $46.18 |
| Average (mean) | $88,400 | $42.50 |
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 | $7,805 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,902.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,602.31 |
| Weekly | $1,801.15 |
| Hourly | $45.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $93,660 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 |
| Iowa City, IA | $92,020 | 120 |
| Ames, IA | $89,130 | 80 |
| 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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,630 | $37.80 |
| Pharmacist | $141,110 | $67.84 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,230 | $63.57 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,790 | $47.02 |
| Physicians, All Other | $309,880 | $148.98 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $84,080 | $40.42 |
| Dentists, General | $209,300 | $100.62 |
| Occupational Therapist | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,830 | $64.34 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,200 | $127.50 |
| Chiropractor | $74,810 | $35.96 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,820 | $31.64 |
| Veterinarian | $130,900 | $62.93 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $75,650 | $36.37 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 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 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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for dental hygienists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $93,660 a year, or $45.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $96,060 a year. The top 25% earn $94,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,630 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $83,010 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 750 dental hygienists are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.