Dental Assistant salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Dental Assistants in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $47,970 a year ($23.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,360 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 1% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $48,430. There are 2.0 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $50,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,150 | $18.34 |
| 25th percentile | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| Median | $47,970 | $23.06 |
| 75th percentile | $57,520 | $27.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,360 | $28.54 |
| Average (mean) | $50,510 | $24.29 |
Half of dental assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,997.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,998.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,845 |
| Weekly | $922.50 |
| Hourly | $23.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dental Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $50,020 | 660 |
| Iowa City, IA | $49,230 | 280 |
| Ames, IA | $49,140 | 110 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $48,590 | 190 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $48,310 | 370 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $48,020 | 1,150 |
| Dubuque, IA | $47,850 | 160 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $47,410 | 380 |
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 |
| Maine | $60,070 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 |
| Oregon | $59,490 |
| Washington | $58,090 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 |
| Alaska | $57,710 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 |
See Dental Assistant pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,240 | $17.42 |
| Phlebotomist | $36,970 | $17.77 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $31,850 | $15.31 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $39,530 | $19.01 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,930 | $18.72 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,510 | $17.55 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,850 | $30.22 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $61,560 | $29.60 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $47,970 a year, or $23.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $59,360 a year. The top 25% earn $57,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,150 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $46,840 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 170 dental assistants are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.