Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Bettendorf, IA: $22.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Bettendorf, IA runs $22.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,741 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Bettendorf's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,640 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bettendorf, Iowa, dental assistants command a median hourly pay of $22.95, slightly below the national median of $23.84. This competitive rate reflects the local cost of living, which is below the national average, making it attractive for those in both full-time and part-time roles. For a dental assistant working three days a week, the hourly rate would translate into a manageable weekly income, allowing for various opportunities across different settings, including general dental practices, orthodontic offices, and even dental school clinics. Entry-level dental assistants may earn around $18.74 per hour, while experienced professionals can achieve earnings closer to $29.51 per hour, showcasing a healthy range for those entering the field and seasoned practitioners alike.
About the Bettendorf Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.74 | $149.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.66 | $173.28 |
| Median (P50) | $22.95 | $183.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.90 | $223.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.51 | $236.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bettendorf
Based on $22.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.95/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bettendorf, IA can expect to earn approximately $47,733 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,538. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bettendorf.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bettendorf
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $917.95 | $3,978 | $47,733 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $550.77 | $2,387 | $28,640 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $367.18 | $1,591 | $19,093 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Bettendorf) | $22.95 |
| Dental Hygienist (National Avg) | $42.45 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
Dental Assistants in Bettendorf, IA earn a median of $47,741 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.71% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $49,991.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.95/hr = $28,640/year (purchasing power: $31,681).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,733/year (purchasing power: $52,802).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Bettendorf (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Bettendorf grew 19.9% from $18.55/hr (2019) to $22.25/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.67/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bettendorf metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.14% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Dental Assistant in Bettendorf
Switching gears to part-time and per-diem roles, dental assistant hourly pay in Bettendorf offers unique potential for flexible working conditions. A dental assistant working part-time at 24 hours a week could take home around $28,000 annually, while full-time employment could increase this figure significantly. Per-diem dental assistants are particularly in demand, frequently charging between $22 and $35 per hour, with specialized roles in oral surgery or orthodontics commanding rates as high as $28 to $45 per hour. The variability in pay is driven by the type of dental practice, ranging from solo entities to larger corporate groups like Heartland and Aspen, which often standardize compensation packages. This creates a hybrid environment where dental assistants may opt for slightly lower hourly rates for the stability of health benefits or choose higher compensation options without benefits. In Bettendorf, negotiating hourly pay can involve discussing skillsets related to expanded function authority, such as DANB certification, which can distinguish candidates in this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Bettendorf, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Bettendorf in 2026?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental assistants in Bettendorf. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bettendorf is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.14%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental assistants (SOC 31-9091).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov