Dental Assistant Salary in Urbandale, IA: $47,746 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Urbandale, IA earns a median $47,746/year (≈ $22.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Urbandale's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $52,816 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the compensation for dental assistants in Urbandale, Iowa is projected to reach a median annual salary of $47,746. This figure reflects a competitive local labor market amid the growing influence of dental service organizations (DSOs) pushing for standardized pay scales. The full salary spectrum ranges from $38,936 at the 10th percentile to $59,705 at the 90th percentile, with many dental assistants likely benefiting from practices that offer flexible responsibilities and potential for growth. These salaries, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for Urbandale's regional cost of living, reveal a slight dip compared to the national median of $49,579, illustrating the area's unique market dynamics.
About the Urbandale Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,936 | $18.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,068 | $21.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,746 | $22.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,977 | $27.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,705 | $28.70 |
Median Salary Position
3.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urbandale
In Urbandale, IA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,769 (2026 est.). At $47,746, the local median is 3.7% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Urbandale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Urbandale Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Urbandale median: $47,746/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urbandale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $49,995 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -3.70% less |
Dental Assistants in Urbandale, IA earn a median of $47,746 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.70% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $49,995.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urbandale 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.
Urbandale, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $47,746 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,816 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,598
2025 BLS Actual
$46,292
2026 Current Est.
$47,746
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Urbandale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,598 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,657 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,162 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,819 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,004 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,292 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,746 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,245 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urbandale metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $38,598 (2019) to $46,292 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,245 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,647 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urbandale 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) | $38,936 – $45,068 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,068 – $47,746 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,746 – $56,977 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,977 – $59,705 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Urbandale
With only 12 dental assistants employed in Urbandale, the market presence remains limited, leading to a manageable job environment. The local cost of living index sits at 90.4, which indicates a more affordable lifestyle relative to national averages, enhancing the purchasing power of dental assistants with the right salary. Typically, DSO chains like Heartland Dental and Pacific Dental offer the most favorable pay within the field, particularly for those possessing specialized credentials like the expanded function dental assistant (EFDA), which can result in pay disparities of 25-40% depending on state allowances. Factors that influence the earnings of dental assistants include specialty focus—where roles in oral surgery and orthodontics tend to command higher salaries—alongside potential stipends for lead or mentor roles. To maximize earning potential in Urbandale, pursuing certifications from recognized bodies such as DANB or embracing expanded function roles can be strategic pathways for professionals in this field.
More salary data for Urbandale, 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 $46,292 for dental assistantsin the Urbandale 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 Urbandale 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