Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Ankeny, IA: $40.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Ankeny, IA runs $40.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,860 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Ankeny's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $45.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,919 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dental hygienists in Ankeny, Iowa, earn a median hourly rate of $40.80, which is notably lower than the national median of $49.49 per hour. This difference may influence the financial decisions of those considering part-time roles or per diem positions within settings like general dentistry operatories, pediatric offices, or public health clinics. For individuals working three days a week, this hourly rate translates into a significant opportunity for earnings, especially for dental hygienists balancing multiple jobs. The hourly range for this profession varies widely, starting at approximately $31.72 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $53.39 for the top earners in the local market, providing a well-defined structure for income based on experience and specialization.
About the Ankeny Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($85,185) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.72 | $253.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.88 | $279.06 |
| Median (P50) | $40.80 | $326.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.01 | $368.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.39 | $427.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ankeny
Based on $40.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.80/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ankeny, IA can expect to earn approximately $84,865 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,961. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ankeny.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ankeny
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,632.03 | $7,072 | $84,865 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $979.22 | $4,243 | $50,919 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $652.81 | $2,829 | $33,946 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Ankeny) | $40.80 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
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.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.80/hr = $50,919/year (purchasing power: $56,327).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,865/year (purchasing power: $93,878).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$34.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.80/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+24.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Ankeny (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $34.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Ankeny grew 13.0% from $34.41/hr (2020) to $38.88/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.82/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental hygienists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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.
Working as an Hourly Dental Hygienist in Ankeny
Diving deeper into the earning potential for part-time dental hygienists in Ankeny reveals additional layers of financial nuance. A dental hygienist working 24 hours a week could expect to take home around $50,784 annually, creating a substantial income compared to full-time positions. The per diem dental hygienist pay in Ankeny reflects competitive opportunities as well, with temporary agency wages varying from $40 to $60 per hour, particularly in higher cost-of-living markets. Diverse employer types such as solo practices and DSOs (like Heartland and Aspen) can significantly impact compensation structures. While some choose positions with lower pay but more robust benefits, including health insurance, others prioritize higher hourly rates even without additional perks. For negotiators in Ankeny, understanding these dynamics and emphasizing flexibility can enhance their hourly pay negotiations, aligning their professional interests with the evolving market demands for dental hygienists.
More salary data for Ankeny, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Ankeny in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Ankeny?
Are dental hygienists in Ankeny paid hourly or salary?
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Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Ankeny?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental hygienists in Ankeny. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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