Salary · Metro area · SOC 31-9091

Dental Assistant salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA, per year and per hour

BLS data for May 2025 for the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metropolitan statistical area.

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, released May 15, 2026. Publisher page

Quick answer

The median pay for dental assistants in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA was $47,970 a year, or $23.06 an hour, in May 2025 (BLS). The middle 80% earned $38,150 to $59,360. About 170 were employed.

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Annual pay: Waterloo vs Iowa vs the US

Dental Assistant annual wages, Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA, Iowa, and US
MeasureThis metroIowaUS
Median (50th percentile)$47,970$48,430$48,070
Mean (average)$50,510$50,450$50,200
10th percentile$38,150$39,360$37,130
25th percentile$46,840$45,990$44,340
75th percentile$57,520$57,620$58,090
90th percentile$59,360$59,580$62,250
Dental Assistant hourly wages, Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
MeasureHourly
Median (50th percentile)$23.06
Mean (average)$24.29
10th percentile$18.34
25th percentile$22.52
75th percentile$27.66
90th percentile$28.54

Employment: 170. 2.031 per 1,000 jobs in the area. Location quotient 0.81.

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Publisher page

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Questions

How much does a Dental Assistant make per hour in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

The median hourly wage was $23.06 in May 2025, per BLS. The 10th percentile was $18.34 and the 90th was $28.54.

What is the average Dental Assistant salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

BLS reports a mean (average) of $50,510 a year and a median of $47,970 for May 2025. The median is the middle wage; the mean is pulled up by the highest earners.

Do dental assistants in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA earn more than the Iowa median?

The Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA median of $47,970 is 1% lower than the Iowa median of $48,430 (BLS, May 2025).

Where do these numbers come from?

The BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, May 2025 estimates, SOC 31-9091. Figures BLS did not publish are left out.

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