If a career as a Dental Hygienist in Iowa strongly appeals then you will be happy to know that Dental Hygiene salaries are among some of the highest in the healthcare industry. There also continues to be strong job growth in the sector with an additional 30,000 positions projected to be created between 2016 and 2024 representing an almost 15% increase in employment.
How to become a Dental Hygienist in Iowa
If you are interested in training to become a dental hygienist in Iowa you will need to graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program.
Requirements for entry into accredited programs include a high school diploma or equivalent and, depending on the school, you may need to pass entrance exams and complete an entry interview. Medical and legal clearances may also be required.
Below we provide details of the top accredited dental hygienist programs in Iowa, as well as licensing requirements and salary and employment data for the state.
Accredited Dental Hygienist Schools Iowa
| School | Area | More Information |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny | Ankeny | Learn More |
| Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids | Learn More |
| Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs | Council Bluffs | Learn More |
| Iowa Central Community College | Fort Dodge | Learn More |
| Indian Hills Community College | Ottumwa | Learn More |
| Hawkeye Community College, Waterloo | Waterloo | Learn More |
Schools offering dental hygiene programs which have been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) are recognized to maintain a high standard of education by the American Dental Association (ADA).
There are currently 6 CODA accredited programs in Iowa.
Once you have graduated from an accredited program you will be required to sit some additional state and/or national certification exams before you are eligible to apply for your dental hygienist license.
Iowa Dental Hygienist License Requirements
Once you have successfully graduated from an accredited program and have passed all additional certification exams it is a requirement of Iowa law that you obtain a license to work as a dental hygienist there.
The Iowa Dental Board governs the licensing of dental hygienists in Iowa. You can contact the Board directly using the contact details below:
State Board: Iowa Dental Board
Phone: (515) 281-5157
Website: http://www.dentalboard.iowa.gov
Dental Hygienist Salary in Iowa
| Salary | $68,700 |
| Hourly Wage | $33.03 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $54,180 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $81,460 |
| # Employed | 2,320 |
The average dental hygienist salary in Iowa is $68,700 – 8% below the national average of $74,680.
This represents an hourly wage of $33.03.
There are currently 2,320 persons employed as dental hygienists in the state.
Iowa Dental Hygienist Employment and Salaries by Metro Area
The table below provides a breakdown of salaries and employment of dental hygienists across the main towns, cities and non metro areas in Iowa. As is evident from the table the highest number of dental hygienists jobs are in the Des Moines area whilst the highest salary for hygienists is in the Ames area.
| Area | Number Employed | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | 70 | $72,960.00 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 260 | $67,700.00 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 350 | $63,430.00 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 510 | $69,750.00 |
| Dubuque, IA | (8)- | $65,800.00 |
| Iowa City, IA | 130 | $65,340.00 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 160 | $68,300.00 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | (8)- | $67,140.00 |
| Northeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | 160 | $62,820.00 |
| Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | 220 | $70,970.00 |
| Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | 100 | $67,800.00 |
| Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | 350 | $68,820.00 |
Related Healthcare Career Comparisons in Iowa
The table below provides a comparison between income and employment of dental hygienists and related healthcare careers in Iowa;
| Career | Number Employed | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Hygienists | 1970 | 69480 |
| Respiratory Therapists | 1100 | 50720 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | 560 | 66650 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | 4080 | 29910 |
| Surgical Technologists | 870 | 39620 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | 560 | 29900 |
| Dental Assistants | 2810 | 34750 |
| Medical Assistants | 4660 | 30220 |
| Phlebotomists | 830 | 28950 |
***Page Updated October 2018***