Dental Assistant Salary in Des Moines, IA: $51,591 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Des Moines, IA earns a median $51,591/year (≈ $24.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.7), that paycheck buys what $56,260 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Des Moines, IA are projected to earn a median annual salary of $51,591, which is notably higher than the national median of $49,579. This elevated pay scale is partly driven by the state's EFDA expanded function rules, allowing qualified dental assistants to perform a wider range of procedures. Salary figures range from $46,217 at the 10th percentile to $61,874 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the market's demand and the role's responsibilities. Data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys suggests that this compensation is competitive within the region and presents a viable career option for individuals entering the field or transitioning from related roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,217 | $22.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,342 | $23.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,591 | $24.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,666 | $28.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,874 | $29.75 |
Median Salary Position
4.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, IA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,657 (2026 est.). At $51,591, the local median is 4.06% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Moines Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $51,591/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $49,991 | +3.20% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | +4.06% more |
Dental Assistants in Des Moines, IA earn a median of $51,591 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.06% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 3.20% above the Iowa state average of $49,991.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 8.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, IA has a cost-of-living index of 91.701 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $51,591 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,260 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,760
2025 BLS Actual
$50,020
2026 Current Est.
$51,591
2019–2027 Growth
+18.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,640 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,140 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,680 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,591 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,211 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 11.8% from $44,760 (2019) to $50,020 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,211 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,451 (18.88%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $46,217 – $49,342 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,342 – $51,591 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,591 – $59,666 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,666 – $61,874 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Des Moines
The local job market for dental assistants in Des Moines is robust, with approximately 660 professionals employed in this area. Given a cost-of-living index of 91.701, dental assistants can enjoy a favorable take-home purchasing power relative to national averages. Among various employers, those in pediatric specialty offices, orthodontics, and oral surgery practices tend to offer the highest salaries, reflecting the complexity of these roles compared to general dental practices. The disparity between low and high pay levels is influenced by factors such as specialization, the EFDA credential, and additional responsibilities like treatment coordination. For those seeking to maximize their dental assistant pay in Des Moines, pursuing specialized training and certifications can lead to better opportunities, particularly in the growing DSO chain market, which has standardized pay scales across large networks.
More salary data for Des Moines, 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 $50,020 for dental assistantsin the Des Moines 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