Dental Assistants Salary in Ames, IA
The median pay for a dental assistants in Ames, IA is $47,530/year ($22.85/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $58K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.83), which stretches that salary to about $53,507 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,153/month — about 35.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $48K get you in Ames?
About dental assistants
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Ames, IA
Entry-level dental assistants (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $48K.Top earners bring in $58K or more - a $19K spread from bottom to top.
Dental Assistants pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65K | +37% | 5,590 |
| Massachusetts | $58K | +23% | 9,250 |
| Oregon | $58K | +22% | 5,480 |
| Washington | $57K | +21% | 13,330 |
| District of Columbia | $57K | +19% | 510 |
| Alaska | $56K | +18% | 1,080 |
| Maine | $51K | +9% | 1,450 |
| North Dakota | $51K | +8% | 920 |
| Vermont | $51K | +8% | 650 |
| Connecticut | $51K | +7% | 3,740 |
| New Hampshire | $50K | +6% | 1,400 |
| Arizona | $49K | +4% | 7,480 |
| California | $49K | +3% | 54,580 |
| North Carolina | $49K | +3% | 11,100 |
| Pennsylvania | $48K | +2% | 12,410 |
Track dental assistants salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Ames numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do dental assistants make in Ames, IA?
The median is $47,530 a year - that works out to about $22.85 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,830, and experienced dental assistants can clear $58,320. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $48K enough to live in Ames?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,162/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,153/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 36.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a dental assistants salary go in Ames?
Ames has a Regional Price Parity of 88.83 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median dental assistants salary is worth about $53,507 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do dental assistants get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.