Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Council Bluffs, IA: $23.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Council Bluffs, IA runs $23.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,258 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Council Bluffs's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,949 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Council Bluffs, Iowa, the dental assistant hourly pay is projected to be $23.20 in 2026, slightly below the national hourly median of $23.84. This hourly rate presents a solid opportunity for professionals in various dental settings, such as general dentistry and specialized clinics. For part-time dental assistants working three days a week, which often translates to around 24 hours, this pay indicates a take-home income of approximately $1,113 per week and opens avenues for per-diem work as well. Those starting their careers can expect hourly rates as low as $17.93, while more experienced dental assistants can earn up to $29.53. The diversity in pay demonstrates the range of skills and responsibilities typical in environments like pediatric exam rooms and oral surgery procedure rooms.
About the Council Bluffs 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) | $17.93 | $143.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.31 | $170.47 |
| Median (P50) | $23.20 | $185.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.33 | $226.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.53 | $236.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Council Bluffs
Based on $23.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.20/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Council Bluffs, IA can expect to earn approximately $48,248 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,835. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Council Bluffs.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Council Bluffs
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $927.85 | $4,021 | $48,248 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $556.71 | $2,412 | $28,949 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $371.14 | $1,608 | $19,299 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Council Bluffs) | $23.20 |
| 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 Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $48,258 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.66% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $49,957.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.20/hr = $28,949/year (purchasing power: $32,023).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,248/year (purchasing power: $53,372).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.49/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.27/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.47/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.49/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Council Bluffs grew 19.9% from $18.75/hr (2019) to $22.49/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.92/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 Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs
Part-time dental assistants in Council Bluffs earn a considerably different income compared to their full-time counterparts. For instance, someone working 24 hours a week at $23.20 would bring in about $57,798 annually, versus the full-time average which would be considerably higher. Per diem dental assistant pay in the area can range significantly, with pay as low as $22 and peaking at $35 per hour for general practices, while specialized roles in oral surgery or orthodontics can demand rates between $28 and $45 hourly. Variations in hourly rates across different practice types arise due to factors like benefits and job stability. Many dental assistants may accept lower hourly rates for the security of health insurance or other benefits found in larger DSO chains like Heartland or Aspen. For those negotiating hourly pay, it is crucial to highlight specific skills or certifications, such as the DANB CDA, which can elevate earning potential significantly in this region.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Council Bluffs. 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 Council Bluffs 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