Dental Assistant Salary in Ames, IA: $50,683 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Ames, IA earns a median $50,683/year (≈ $24.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Ames's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $57,056 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Ames, Iowa, can expect a median annual salary of $50,683, reflecting the state's expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) regulations that often elevate pay compared to general dental assistant rates. The salary range for this profession varies from $46,918 at the 10th percentile to $62,162 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust earning potential for skilled practitioners. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys and showcases the competitive nature of dental assistant compensation in Ames. The presence of high-demand specialties and evolving roles, such as treatment coordinators and team leads, contribute to the favorable employment landscape, making the city an attractive option for those considering a career as a dental assistant.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,918 | $22.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,146 | $23.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,683 | $24.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,481 | $29.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,162 | $29.89 |
Median Salary Position
2.23% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ames
In Ames, IA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,244 (2026 est.). At $50,683, the local median is 2.23% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ames: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ames Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Ames median: $50,683/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ames Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $49,983 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | +2.23% more |
Dental Assistants in Ames, IA earn a median of $50,683 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.23% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 1.40% above the Iowa state average of $49,983.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ames has a cost of living 11.17% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ames, IA has a cost-of-living index of 88.83 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $50,683 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,056 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.57% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,940
2025 BLS Actual
$49,140
2026 Current Est.
$50,683
2019–2027 Growth
+13.8%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Ames (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,940 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,620 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,570 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,910 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,630 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,530 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,140 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,683 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,274 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ames metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 7.0% from $45,940 (2019) to $49,140 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,274 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,334 (13.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ames 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $46,918 – $49,146 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,146 – $50,683 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,683 – $60,481 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,481 – $62,162 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Ames
With approximately 110 dental assistants currently employed in Ames, the local market appears stable. The cost-of-living index stands at 88.83, which suggests that salaries in Ames might stretch further than in urban counterparts with higher living costs, enhancing the overall purchasing power for dental assistants. For competitive wages, dental assistants should consider employment with larger practices or DSO chains like Heartland or Aspen, as they tend to offer higher pay scales and benefits. The pay disparity is influenced by specialization, with roles in oral surgery and orthodontics typically commanding higher salaries compared to general practices. To optimize earnings in the Ames market, dental assistants should pursue EFDA certification and consider roles that combine additional responsibilities, as these often come with wage premiums, aligning with the growing demand for versatile dental professionals in Iowa.
More salary data for Ames, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $49,140 for dental assistantsin the Ames metropolitan area. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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