Dentists, General salary in Ames, IA
Dentists, General in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $163,950 a year ($78.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $97,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $275,260 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $170,950. Pay here is 10% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $181,520. There are 0.74 dentists, general per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $178,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dentists, general in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $97,050 | $46.66 |
| 25th percentile | $131,520 | $63.23 |
| Median | $163,950 | $78.82 |
| 75th percentile | $205,620 | $98.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $275,260 | $132.34 |
| Average (mean) | $178,120 | $85.63 |
Half of dentists, general 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 | $13,662.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,831.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,305.77 |
| Weekly | $3,152.88 |
| Hourly | $78.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dentists, General salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $209,300 | 360 |
| Iowa City, IA | $199,410 | 50 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $191,280 | 60 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $187,400 | 440 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $175,420 | 130 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $168,170 | 140 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $163,600 | 60 |
| Dubuque, IA | $161,140 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for dentists, general
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $230,990 |
| North Dakota | $220,660 |
| Minnesota | $219,200 |
| Tennessee | $215,290 |
| Oregon | $211,690 |
| Maine | $209,200 |
| North Carolina | $207,000 |
| Georgia | $206,760 |
| Missouri | $204,960 |
| Vermont | $204,960 |
See Dentists, General pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $77,160 | $37.09 |
| Dental Hygienist | $89,130 | $42.85 |
| Veterinarian | $118,240 | $56.85 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,600 | $61.34 |
| Pharmacist | $139,690 | $67.16 |
| Physical Therapist | $90,610 | $43.56 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $248,000 | $119.23 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,170 | $39.99 |
| Occupational Therapist | $73,810 | $35.49 |
| Chiropractor | $56,890 | $27.35 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $50,730 | $24.39 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $65,610 | $31.55 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $56,380 | $27.10 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1021. 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 dentists, general make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for dentists, general in the Ames, IA metro area is $163,950 a year, or $78.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $97,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $275,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dentists, general make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of dentists, general in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $275,260 a year. The top 25% earn $205,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for dentists, general in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $97,050 a year, and a quarter of dentists, general earn $131,520 or less.
How many dentists, general work in Ames, IA?
About 40 dentists, general are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.