Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in West Des Moines, IA: $24.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in West Des Moines, IA runs $24.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,924 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against West Des Moines's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,558 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In West Des Moines, the dental assistant hourly pay stands at a competitive median rate of $24.49, surpassing the national median of $23.84. This figure is particularly favorable for part-time and per-diem workers, who often find themselves in diverse clinical settings including general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, and orthodontic practices. For those working on a part-time schedule of three days a week, totaling about 24 hours, the hourly rate provides a reliable income stream. Additionally, entry-level dental assistants can expect to earn around $19.47 per hour, while top earners in specialized practices may see hourly rates as high as $31.66. This range highlights the potential earnings available within various roles in West Des Moines' dental community.
About the West Des Moines 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) | $19.47 | $155.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.29 | $178.31 |
| Median (P50) | $24.49 | $195.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.75 | $237.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.66 | $253.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in West Des Moines
Based on $24.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.49/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in West Des Moines, IA can expect to earn approximately $50,930 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,383. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in West Des Moines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in West Des Moines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $979.42 | $4,244 | $50,930 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $587.65 | $2,546 | $30,558 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $391.77 | $1,698 | $20,372 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (West Des Moines) | $24.49 |
| 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 West Des Moines, IA earn a median of $50,924 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.71% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 1.90% above the Iowa state average of $49,975.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.49/hr = $30,558/year (purchasing power: $33,803).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,930/year (purchasing power: $56,338).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in West Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in West Des Moines grew 19.9% from $19.79/hr (2019) to $23.74/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.25/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 West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines
Considering a part-time position, a dental assistant working 24 hours a week at the $24.49 rate would bring home approximately $30,563 annually, a substantial income for those seeking flexible work arrangements. Per-diem or agency dental assistants, frequently remunerated on a variable scale, typically bill between $22 to $35 per hour, with specialties like oral surgery commanding rates between $28 and $45 per hour. Employment settings play a critical role in one’s hourly rate; dental assistants in general practices might earn less compared to those in chain offices, such as Heartland, which standardize pay across locations. However, the choice between higher hourly wages without benefits and lower rates with health packages is a common balancing act for many dental assistants. For those negotiating their pay in West Des Moines, it’s beneficial to research average rates across employers and consider the trade-offs between salary and benefits when determining their ideal compensation.
More salary data for West Des Moines, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in West Des Moines in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in West Des Moines?
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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 West Des Moines. 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 West Des Moines 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