Dental Assistant Salary in Coralville, IA: $47,531 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Coralville, IA earns a median $47,531/year (≈ $22.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Coralville's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $52,579 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the dental assistant salary in Coralville, IA, is projected at a median of $47,531, slightly below the national median of $49,579. Salary ranges for dental assistants locally span from $38,180 at the lower end to $60,000 at the high end, reflecting the competitive landscape shaped by the presence of both solo practices and Dental Service Organization (DSO) chains. While DSOs like Heartland and Aspen typically implement structured pay scales, offering consistency but often at lower rates than independent offices, solo practices may provide greater flexibility in salaries and benefits. This wage structure signals the influence of urgent care demands and the specialty focus prevalent in Coralville's dental market, indicating that the local job market is responsive to the overall trends of the dental economy.
About the Coralville Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,180 | $18.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,216 | $21.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,531 | $22.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,594 | $26.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,000 | $28.85 |
Median Salary Position
4.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Coralville
In Coralville, IA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,820 (2026 est.). At $47,531, the local median is 4.13% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Coralville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Coralville Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Coralville median: $47,531/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Coralville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $49,980 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -4.13% less |
Dental Assistants in Coralville, IA earn a median of $47,531 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.13% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 4.90% below the Iowa state average of $49,980.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Coralville has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Coralville, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $47,531 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,579 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,424
2025 BLS Actual
$46,084
2026 Current Est.
$47,531
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Coralville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,424 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,479 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,063 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,968 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,617 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,834 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,084 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,531 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,024 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Coralville metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $38,424 (2019) to $46,084 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,024 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,600 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Coralville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.14% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $38,180 – $44,216 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,216 – $47,531 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,531 – $54,594 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,594 – $60,000 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Coralville
Currently, only six dental assistants are employed within Coralville, but the local job market remains promising amid a cost of living index of 90.4, suggesting that take-home purchasing power is favorable compared to many areas. The highest-paying opportunities generally arise from specialty practices such as oral surgery or orthodontics, while general dental practices may offer a more modest income. Factors contributing to variations in pay include the range of certifications, such as EFDA credentials in states that offer expanded functions and the adoption of hybrid roles like treatment coordinators in DSOs. To maximize earning potential in Coralville, dental assistants should seek continued education, pursue specialized training, or consider obtaining DANB certifications, thereby aligning themselves with more lucrative positions within the industry.
More salary data for Coralville, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH
Career Analyst
Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $46,084 for dental assistantsin the Coralville metropolitan area. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Coralville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.14%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental assistants (SOC 31-9091).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov