Dental Hygienist Salary in Marshalltown, IA: $83,166 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Marshalltown, IA earns a median $83,166/year (โ $39.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Marshalltown's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $91,998 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates ยท View source

In 2026, dental hygienists in Marshalltown, IA, can expect a median annual salary of $83,166, which reflects the unique dynamics of this regional labor market. With only eight dental hygienists currently employed in the area, the market appears to have room for growth, as indicated by a higher-than-average median salary when compared to the national level. The salary range for this occupation spans from $66,701 at the 10th percentile to $102,681 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026 and consider local cost adjustments, giving prospective dental hygienists insight into expected earnings in Marshalltown and the factors that may impact their compensation in this evolving job landscape.
About the Marshalltown Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($85,185) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,701 | $32.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,383 | $33.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,166 | $39.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,596 | $43.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,681 | $49.36 |
Median Salary Position
19.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Marshalltown
In Marshalltown, IA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,980 (2026 est.). At $83,166, the local median is 19.21% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Marshalltown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Marshalltown Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Marshalltown median: $83,166/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Marshalltown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $87,359 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -19.21% less |
Dental Hygienists in Marshalltown, IA earn a median of $83,166 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.21% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 4.80% below the Iowa state average of $87,359.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Marshalltown has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal ร (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Marshalltown, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $83,166 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,998 in an average-cost city โ an effective 10.62% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$70,151
2025 BLS Actual
$79,251
2026 Current Est.
$83,166
2020โ2027 Growth
+24.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Marshalltown (2020โ2027)
2020โ2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $70,151 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,663 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,577 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,478 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,478 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,251 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,166 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,274 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Marshalltown metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 13.0% from $70,151 (2020) to $79,251 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,274 by 2027 โ a total increase of $17,123 (24.41%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020โ2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marshalltown metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026โ2026 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) | $66,701 โ $70,383 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,383 โ $83,166 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,166 โ $90,596 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,596 โ $102,681 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Marshalltown
While the employment outlook for dental hygienists in Marshalltown shows potential, the cost of living is notably lower, with a cost-of-living index of 90.4, indicating increased purchasing power for local residents. Regional practices, including solo dental offices, multi-doctor groups, and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), are where the most competitive pay can be found. Sign-on bonuses from DSOs and production-based incentives linked to patient retention and scheduling flexibility create disparities in earnings. Dental hygienists in Marshalltown who seek to maximize their pay might consider working for a DSO, which typically offers more comprehensive benefits compared to independent practices, where health insurance might be scarce. Engaging with local networks for opportunities and exploring roles that include flexible scheduling can further enhance their take-home compensation and overall job satisfaction in this market.
More salary data for Marshalltown, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $79,251 for dental hygienistsin the Marshalltown 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 (P10โP90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Marshalltown 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. ยท View source data at BLS.gov