Dental Assistant Salary in Ankeny, IA: $48,563 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Ankeny, IA earns a median $48,563/year (≈ $23.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Ankeny's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $53,720 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ankeny, Iowa, dental assistants can anticipate a median annual salary of $48,563 in 2026, reflecting a slight decrease of 2.05% compared to the national median of $49,579. Salaries for dental assistants in the area range from $38,204 at the lower end (P10) to $64,051 at the top tier (P90). These figures have been adjusted to account for local cost variations, as derived from BLS state-level data and regional price parity benchmarks. The local employment market has also been shaped significantly by the presence of Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), which often provide standardized pay scales that contrast with the greater flexibility offered by solo dental practices. As dental assistant pay in Ankeny reflects these dynamics, caregivers should consider their career pathways carefully to capitalize on the opportunities available.
About the Ankeny Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,204 | $18.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,952 | $21.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,563 | $23.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,747 | $28.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,051 | $30.80 |
Median Salary Position
2.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ankeny
In Ankeny, IA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,847 (2026 est.). At $48,563, the local median is 2.05% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ankeny: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ankeny Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Ankeny median: $48,563/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ankeny Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $49,962 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -2.05% less |
Dental Assistants in Ankeny, IA earn a median of $48,563 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.05% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 2.80% below the Iowa state average of $49,962.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ankeny has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ankeny, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $48,563 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,720 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,259
2025 BLS Actual
$47,085
2026 Current Est.
$48,563
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Ankeny (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,259 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,336 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,868 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,902 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,586 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,655 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,085 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,563 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,088 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ankeny metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $39,259 (2019) to $47,085 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,088 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,829 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ankeny 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) | $38,204 – $44,952 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,952 – $48,563 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,563 – $59,747 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,747 – $64,051 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Ankeny
The job market in Ankeny encompasses 16 employed dental assistants, indicating a competitive environment fueled by a cost-of-living index of 90.4, below the national average. This lower cost of living can enhance purchasing power for dental assistants, influencing how salaries are perceived in the local market. In terms of employment settings, DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen typically offer the highest pay, particularly for roles that require expanded function authority. Factors contributing to the salary spread include specialization—positions in oral surgery and orthodontics generally command higher wages compared to general practices—along with credentials such as the EFDA, which can boost earnings by 25-40%. To maximize earning potential, aspiring and current dental assistants in Ankeny should pursue additional certifications, seek roles in DSOs or specialty practices, and consider ways to integrate responsibilities, such as taking on treatment coordination duties.
More salary data for Ankeny, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 $47,085 for dental assistantsin the Ankeny 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
Salary data for Ankeny 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