Dentists, General salary in Iowa
Dentists, General in Iowa earn a median of $181,520 a year ($87.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,240 workers.
Pay ranges from $100,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $259,990 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $170,950. Iowa ranks 16th of 47 states for dentists, general pay. There are 0.80 dentists, general per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $198,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dentists, general in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $100,920 | $48.52 |
| 25th percentile | $136,100 | $65.43 |
| Median | $181,520 | $87.27 |
| 75th percentile | $209,880 | $100.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $259,990 | $125.00 |
| Average (mean) | $198,470 | $95.42 |
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 | $15,126.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,563.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,981.54 |
| Weekly | $3,490.77 |
| Hourly | $87.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dentists, General salary in cities in Iowa
| 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 |
| Ames, IA | $163,950 | 40 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,630 | $37.80 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,160 | $62.58 |
| Pharmacist | $138,860 | $66.76 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,560 | $46.90 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,010 | $40.39 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,050 | $38.97 |
| Physicians, All Other | $295,190 | $141.92 |
| Occupational Therapist | $89,910 | $43.22 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,770 | $64.79 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,200 | $127.50 |
| Veterinarian | $124,610 | $59.91 |
| Chiropractor | $75,050 | $36.08 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $74,760 | $35.94 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $72,690 | $34.95 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for dentists, general in Iowa is $181,520 a year, or $87.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $100,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $259,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dentists, general make in Iowa?
The top 10% of dentists, general in Iowa earn at least $259,990 a year. The top 25% earn $209,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for dentists, general in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $100,920 a year, and a quarter of dentists, general earn $136,100 or less.
How many dentists, general work in Iowa?
About 1,240 dentists, general are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.