Dental Assistant Pay

Coralville vs Davenport: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Coralville, IA and Davenport, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Coralville, IA
$47,531
$22.86/hr
Davenport, IA
$48,899
$23.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCoralville, IADavenport, IA
Median Salary$47,531$48,899
Hourly Rate$22.86$23.51
Entry Level (P10)$38,180$40,101
25th Percentile$44,216$47,207
75th Percentile$54,594$59,213
Top Earner (P90)$60,000$61,781
Total Employed6380
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Coralville ($47,531) and Davenport ($48,899) dental assistant salaries.CoralvilleDavenportMedian Salary$47,531$48,899Entry Level (P10)$38,180$40,101Top Earner (P90)$60,000$61,781US Median $49,579

Verdict

Davenport, IA offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Coralville.

The salary gap between Coralville and Davenport is $1,368 (2.88%). Davenport's median is -1.37% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Coralville spans $21,820,Davenport spans $21,680. Coralville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Coralville
P10 (Entry)$38,180
P25$44,216
Median$47,531
P75$54,594
P90 (Top)$60,000
Davenport
P10 (Entry)$40,101
P25$47,207
Median$48,899
P75$59,213
P90 (Top)$61,781

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Davenport ($54,894 effective) pays 4.40% more than Coralville ($52,579 effective).

Coralville
Nominal: $47,531
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $52,579
Davenport
Nominal: $48,899
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $54,894

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Coralville if…

  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Davenport if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,899/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($61,781)
  • Larger job market (380 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,894)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Coralville grew 21.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 34.6% growth in Davenport over the same period.

Coralville, IA

+21.8%

$37,834 (2024) → $46,084 (2025)

Davenport, IA

+34.6%

$35,230 (2019) → $47,410 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Coralville or Davenport?

Davenport has a higher median dental assistant salary at $48,899/year, compared to Coralville at $47,531/year — a difference of $1,368 (2.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Coralville and Davenport?

Coralville dental assistants earn $22.86/hr while Davenport hygienists earn $23.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Coralville to Davenport as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Coralville and Davenport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Coralville = $52,579, Davenport = $54,894), job availability (6 vs 380 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Coralville vs Davenport?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $38,180 in Coralville and $40,101 in Davenport. The Davenport area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH

Career Analyst

Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.

Clinically reviewed by James Thompson, CDAData verified by Aisha Patel, CDA, MA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.14% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov