Dentists, General salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Dentists, General in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $209,300 a year ($100.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 360 workers.
Pay ranges from $137,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $259,990 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $170,950. Pay here is 15% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $181,520. There are 0.88 dentists, general per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $204,670, close to the median.
Pay range for dentists, general in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $137,870 | $66.28 |
| 25th percentile | $175,000 | $84.13 |
| Median | $209,300 | $100.62 |
| 75th percentile | $216,210 | $103.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $259,990 | $125.00 |
| Average (mean) | $204,670 | $98.40 |
Half of dentists, general 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 | $17,441.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $8,720.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $8,050 |
| Weekly | $4,025 |
| Hourly | $100.62 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $209,300 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dentists, General salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $199,410 | 50 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $191,280 | 60 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $187,400 | 440 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $175,420 | 130 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $168,170 | 140 |
| Ames, IA | $163,950 | 40 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $163,600 | 60 |
| Dubuque, IA | $161,140 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for dentists, general
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $230,990 |
| North Dakota | $220,660 |
| Minnesota | $219,200 |
| Tennessee | $215,290 |
| Oregon | $211,690 |
| Maine | $209,200 |
| North Carolina | $207,000 |
| Georgia | $206,760 |
| Missouri | $204,960 |
| Vermont | $204,960 |
See Dentists, General 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 |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,660 | $45.03 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,790 | $47.02 |
| Physicians, All Other | $309,880 | $148.98 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $84,080 | $40.42 |
| 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 29-1021. 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 dentists, general make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for dentists, general in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $209,300 a year, or $100.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $137,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $259,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dentists, general make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of dentists, general in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $259,990 a year. The top 25% earn $216,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for dentists, general in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $137,870 a year, and a quarter of dentists, general earn $175,000 or less.
How many dentists, general work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 360 dentists, general are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.