Dental Hygienist Salary in Ankeny, IA: $84,860 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Ankeny, IA earns a median $84,860/year (≈ $40.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Ankeny's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $93,872 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual salary of $84,860 projected for 2026, dental hygienists in Ankeny, IA, face a pay landscape that is notably lower than the national average of $102,946. This local compensation range varies from $65,985 at the 10th percentile to $111,067 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the disparities that exist within the profession. Given that these figures are adjusted for regional cost-of-living, which stands at a favorable index of 90.4, the real purchasing power for dental hygienists is crucial. Employment in the area is concentrated, with 16 dental hygienists making up the workforce, indicating a stable job market for those seeking employment in Ankeny’s dental practices.
About the Ankeny Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($85,185) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,985 | $31.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,564 | $34.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,860 | $40.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,692 | $46.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,067 | $53.39 |
Median Salary Position
17.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ankeny
In Ankeny, IA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,082 (2026 est.). At $84,860, the local median is 17.57% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ankeny: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ankeny Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Ankeny median: $84,860/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ankeny Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $87,304 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -17.57% less |
Dental Hygienists in Ankeny, IA earn a median of $84,860 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.57% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 2.80% below the Iowa state average of $87,304.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ankeny 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.
Ankeny, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $84,860 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,872 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$71,580
2025 BLS Actual
$80,865
2026 Current Est.
$84,860
2020–2027 Growth
+24.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Ankeny (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $71,580 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,164 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,096 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,056 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,587 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,865 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,860 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,052 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ankeny metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 13.0% from $71,580 (2020) to $80,865 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,052 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,472 (24.41%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ankeny 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 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-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) | $65,985 – $72,564 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,564 – $84,860 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,860 – $95,692 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,692 – $111,067 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Ankeny
The job market for dental hygienists in Ankeny shows a promising growth rate of 4.94% annually, reflecting the increasing demand for oral health services. However, local employment opportunities may present a varied salary distribution influenced by several factors. Pediatric specialty offices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) often provide higher salaries compared to solo practices, which typically lack comprehensive benefits like health insurance. Additionally, production-based pay linked to patient retention and bonus structures can create a wider gap between the lower and higher ends of the salary spectrum. To maximize income, professionals should consider leveraging opportunities with DSOs, which frequently offer sign-on bonuses and structured benefits, thereby making it essential to assess each employment option carefully before committing.
More salary data for Ankeny, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH
Dental Career Analyst
Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.
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 $80,865 for dental hygienistsin the Ankeny metropolitan area. A 4.94% 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 Ankeny 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 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov