Dental Hygienist salary in Iowa
Dental Hygienists in Iowa earn a median of $84,010 a year ($40.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,440 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,810 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $98,100. Iowa ranks 44th of 50 states for dental hygienists pay. There are 1.6 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $86,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,320 | $37.65 |
| 25th percentile | $80,950 | $38.92 |
| Median | $84,010 | $40.39 |
| 75th percentile | $93,880 | $45.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,810 | $46.06 |
| Average (mean) | $86,640 | $41.65 |
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 | $7,000.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,500.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,231.15 |
| Weekly | $1,615.58 |
| Hourly | $40.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $84,010 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 cities in Iowa
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,630 | $37.80 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,160 | $62.58 |
| Pharmacist | $138,860 | $66.76 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,560 | $46.90 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,050 | $38.97 |
| Physicians, All Other | $295,190 | $141.92 |
| Occupational Therapist | $89,910 | $43.22 |
| Dentists, General | $181,520 | $87.27 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,770 | $64.79 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,200 | $127.50 |
| Veterinarian | $124,610 | $59.91 |
| Chiropractor | $75,050 | $36.08 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $74,760 | $35.94 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $72,690 | $34.95 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for dental hygienists in Iowa is $84,010 a year, or $40.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Iowa?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in Iowa earn at least $95,810 a year. The top 25% earn $93,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,320 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $80,950 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Iowa?
About 2,440 dental hygienists are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.