Dental Laboratory Technician salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Dental Laboratory Technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $47,550 a year ($22.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,840 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $49,610. Pay here is about the same as the Iowa statewide median of $47,520. There are 0.12 dental laboratory technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $51,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental laboratory technicians in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,630 | $17.13 |
| 25th percentile | $41,290 | $19.85 |
| Median | $47,550 | $22.86 |
| 75th percentile | $57,490 | $27.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,840 | $32.61 |
| Average (mean) | $51,230 | $24.63 |
Half of dental laboratory technicians 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 | $3,962.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,981.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,828.85 |
| Weekly | $914.42 |
| Hourly | $22.86 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,550 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dental Laboratory Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $58,630 | 90 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $47,030 | 140 |
Highest-paying states for dental laboratory technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $72,800 |
| North Dakota | $67,580 |
| Maine | $64,020 |
| Colorado | $61,220 |
| New Hampshire | $60,610 |
| Florida | $59,790 |
| Nebraska | $58,590 |
| Kansas | $56,790 |
| Washington | $56,400 |
| Minnesota | $56,090 |
See Dental Laboratory Technician pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,850 | $24.45 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $51,100 | $24.57 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,660 | $19.55 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $58,870 | $28.30 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,820 | $22.99 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $55,170 | $26.52 |
| Tire Builder | $63,060 | $30.32 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $52,050 | $25.02 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,920 | $25.44 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,470 | $24.27 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $59,230 | $28.47 |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $55,160 | $26.52 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,560 | $25.27 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $47,400 | $22.79 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9081. 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 laboratory technician make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for dental laboratory technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $47,550 a year, or $22.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental laboratory technicians make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of dental laboratory technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $67,840 a year. The top 25% earn $57,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental laboratory technicians in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,630 a year, and a quarter of dental laboratory technicians earn $41,290 or less.
How many dental laboratory technicians work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 50 dental laboratory technicians are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.