Launch your dental career with free online training. Iowa dental assistants earn $49,020+ annually. Study at your pace, pay only when you're ready to certify.
Featured Image
800 x 600 recommended
Average Salary
$49,020/year
Job Growth
6 (2024-2034)
Dental Practices
1,850+
Population 65+
18.5
Training Cost
FREE
Hawkeye State offers excellent opportunities for dental assistants with 1,850+ dental practices and a population where 18.5 are over 65.
Iowa dental assistants earn $49,020 annually on average, with experienced DAs earning $52,000 - $59,000.
6 projected job growth through 2034 as dental care demand increases across Iowa.
Complete training in 4-8 weeks online. No prior experience needed. Start your dental career fast.
Iowa requires dental assistants to register with the Iowa Dental Board. Registration requires completion of an approved program or DANB certification. Iowa offers Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) credentials for additional clinical procedures through approved training and examination.
Iowa requires dental assistants to complete a Board-approved radiography course and pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam. Certification is separate from DA registration and must be renewed with continuing education requirements.
Largest market, state capital, insurance hub
UI College of Dentistry proximity
Illinois border, Mississippi River region
Western Iowa, tri-state area
Northeast Iowa, university presence
Iowa offers diverse dental employment opportunities from DSO networks to academic institutions.
Employees: 350+
Facilities: 1 dental school
Location: 801 Newton Rd, Iowa City, IA 52242
Iowa's only dental school with comprehensive clinical programs and research focus.
View Careers →Employees: 400+
Facilities: 20+ locations
Location: Multiple IA locations
National DSO with growing Iowa presence offering structured career paths.
View Careers →Employees: 200+
Facilities: 10 locations
Location: Des Moines metro
Community health center serving Central Iowa's diverse populations.
View Careers →Employees: 100+
Facilities: 6 locations
Location: Southeast Iowa
Community health center serving Burlington and Southeast Iowa.
View Careers →Employees: 75+
Facilities: 4 locations
Location: Sioux City area
Community health center serving Sioux City's tri-state community.
View Careers →Employees: 150+
Facilities: Multiple locations
Location: Throughout Iowa
Major Iowa health system with dental services across the state.
View Careers →Employees: 100+
Facilities: Multiple locations
Location: Des Moines, Dubuque
Catholic health system with dental services in Iowa.
View Careers →Employees: 2,800+
Facilities: 1,550+ practices
Location: Statewide
Diverse private practices across Iowa from urban to rural communities.
View Careers →Emily W.
Iowa City • UI College of Dentistry
"Working at the dental school means research opportunities and cutting-edge dentistry."
2024-11
Jason M.
Des Moines • Primary Health Care
"Community health work is meaningful. Serving patients who really need care."
2024-10
Katie S.
Cedar Rapids • Private Practice
"Iowa's low cost of living means my salary goes far. Great quality of life here."
2024-09
Iowa dental assistants earn an average of $49,020 annually ($23.57/hour). Entry-level positions start at $39,500-$44,500, while experienced DAs earn $52,000-$59,000. Des Moines metro offers highest wages at $46,000-$54,000. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024.
Yes, Iowa requires dental assistants to register with the Iowa Dental Board. Registration requires completion of an approved program or DANB certification. EFDA credentials require additional approved training and state examination.
EHired's free online program can be completed in 4-8 weeks at your own pace. Iowa registration requires proof of training plus radiography certification (DANB RHS exam). The complete process typically takes 2-3 months.
Stable outlook with 6% projected growth through 2034. Iowa's 3.2 million population, 1,850 dental practices, and UI College of Dentistry create consistent demand. Des Moines' insurance industry hub creates professional population requiring dental services.
Yes! EHired's training is completely free. You pay for Iowa Board registration fee ($50), DANB RHS exam ($250), and any optional certifications when ready. Many Iowa employers reimburse certification costs.
Des Moines metro leads with $46,000-$54,000 as Iowa's largest market and insurance company hub. Iowa City/Cedar Rapids offers $45,000-$52,000 with University of Iowa influence. Quad Cities region provides $44,000-$51,000 with access to Illinois market.
Iowa offers: (1) Strong community health center presence for underserved area work, (2) University of Iowa dental school for academic employment, (3) Low cost of living with competitive wages, (4) Rural opportunities with potential loan repayment, (5) Insurance company presence creating professional patient base.
Iowa's community health centers including Primary Health Care, CHCSEIA, and Siouxland CHC may qualify for NHSC loan repayment programs. Rural Iowa positions often offer incentives to attract healthcare workers to underserved areas.
Join thousands of Iowa residents who launched their dental assisting careers with our free training.
Enroll Free Today — No Credit Card RequiredIowa's dental workforce serves approximately 3.2 million residents through an estimated 1,850 dental practices. Des Moines and Iowa City contain the largest concentration of dental employment, though opportunities span from the Missouri River to the Mississippi.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports Iowa employed approximately 5,500 dental assistants in May 2024, earning a median annual wage of $49,020—above the national median. Iowa's low cost of living provides excellent purchasing power for dental assistant wages.
The University of Iowa College of Dentistry in Iowa City is Iowa's only dental school. Founded in 1882, it trains approximately 80 dentists annually and operates extensive clinical programs employing dental assistants in academic settings.
Des Moines' role as a major insurance industry hub (Principal Financial, Wellmark) creates a professional population with strong dental benefits and consistent demand for dental services throughout the metro area.
Iowa's federally qualified health centers—including Primary Health Care in Des Moines and facilities across the state—serve rural and underserved populations. These employers provide mission-driven opportunities with potential loan repayment benefits.
The Quad Cities region (Davenport, Bettendorf) straddles the Iowa-Illinois border, creating regional labor market dynamics. Dental assistants in this area can access opportunities in both states, though credential requirements differ.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023; BLS OEWS May 2024; ADA Health Policy Institute; DANB.