Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Waukee, IA: $22.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Waukee, IA runs $22.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,810 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Waukee's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,691 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The dental assistant hourly pay in Waukee, IA, is projected to be $22.99 in 2026, reflecting a slight dip compared to the national median which stands at $23.84. This rate translates well for both part-time workers who may opt for three days of shifts per week and per-diem professionals who provide flexibility in varying clinic environments. In typical settings such as general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, or oral surgery suites, dental assistants can expect to earn between $18.60 and $27.17 hourly, depending on their experience level. Entry-level positions start at approximately $18.60, while experienced dental assistants can rise to the upper echelon of the pay scale, capturing rates closer to $27.17. Overall, these hourly estimates are derived from annual salary data projected for 2026, offering insight into the earning potential within the role across different practice formats in Waukee.
About the Waukee 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) | $18.60 | $148.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.55 | $172.37 |
| Median (P50) | $22.99 | $183.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.53 | $212.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.17 | $217.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waukee
Based on $22.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.99/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waukee, IA can expect to earn approximately $47,819 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,588. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waukee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waukee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $919.60 | $3,985 | $47,819 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $551.76 | $2,391 | $28,691 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $367.84 | $1,594 | $19,128 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Waukee) | $22.99 |
| 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 Waukee, IA earn a median of $47,810 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.57% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 4.30% below the Iowa state average of $49,958.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.99/hr = $28,691/year (purchasing power: $31,738).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,819/year (purchasing power: $52,897).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Waukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.59/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Waukee grew 19.9% from $18.59/hr (2019) to $22.29/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.71/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 Waukee 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 Waukee
When examining the financial landscape for part-time dental assistants, a three-day workweek at 24 hours results in annual earnings around $28,000, which is significantly less than full-time counterparts. Per diem dental assistants, who typically charge between $22 and $35 per hour, find themselves appealing to many as an agency worker; specialty roles, particularly in oral surgery or orthodontics, can command hourly rates upwards of $28 to $45. The hourly rates vary notably across employer types in Waukee, influenced by the growing presence of dental support organizations such as Heartland and Aspen, which standardize pay for their staff. Many dental assistants may choose lower hourly rates for the benefit of health insurance, creating a trade-off between immediate compensation and long-term benefits. When negotiating, professionals should have clear, research-based insights into their skills and certifications, leveraging knowledge of local pay trends and the demand for expanded function dental assistants to secure favorable compensation in Waukee.
More salary data for Waukee, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Waukee in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Waukee?
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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 Waukee. 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 Waukee 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