Dental Hygienist salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Dental Hygienists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $82,500 a year ($39.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,890 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $98,100. Pay here is 2% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $84,010. There are 1.6 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $85,800, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,770 | $36.91 |
| 25th percentile | $80,250 | $38.58 |
| Median | $82,500 | $39.66 |
| 75th percentile | $92,760 | $44.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,890 | $45.14 |
| Average (mean) | $85,800 | $41.25 |
Half of dental hygienists 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 | $6,875 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,437.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,173.08 |
| Weekly | $1,586.54 |
| Hourly | $39.66 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dental Hygienist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $94,170 | 580 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $93,660 | 750 |
| Iowa City, IA | $92,020 | 120 |
| Ames, IA | $89,130 | 80 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $83,920 | 120 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $82,270 | 200 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $82,000 | 280 |
| Dubuque, IA | $81,410 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for dental hygienists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $137,220 |
| Alaska | $132,690 |
| Washington | $131,160 |
| California | $124,930 |
| Oregon | $122,080 |
| Nevada | $115,290 |
| Colorado | $109,580 |
| Maryland | $107,830 |
| New Jersey | $107,040 |
| New York | $106,130 |
See Dental Hygienist pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $76,920 | $36.98 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,330 | $60.73 |
| Pharmacist | $138,690 | $66.68 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $287,990 | $138.46 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,050 | $38.97 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,180 | $46.72 |
| Physicians, All Other | $295,200 | $141.92 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,240 | $47.23 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $65,070 | $31.29 |
| Dentists, General | $163,600 | $78.66 |
| Physician Assistant | $132,880 | $63.89 |
| Veterinarian | $130,740 | $62.86 |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Chiropractor | $63,280 | $30.42 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 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 29-1292. 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 hygienist make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for dental hygienists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $82,500 a year, or $39.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $93,890 a year. The top 25% earn $92,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,770 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $80,250 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 130 dental hygienists are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.