Dental Hygienist Salary in Ottumwa, IA: $81,245 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Ottumwa, IA earns a median $81,245/year (≈ $39.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Ottumwa's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $89,873 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Ottumwa, Iowa, can anticipate a median annual salary of $81,245, significantly lower than the national median of $102,946. This discrepancy highlights the market dynamics specific to the region, where entry-level positions start at approximately $68,335 and top earners make around $98,611. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026 and adjusted for regional price differences. Given the lower cost of living in Ottumwa, reported at an index of 90.4, the local dental hygienist salary reflects the economic environment and employment opportunities available in this city.
About the Ottumwa Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($85,185) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,335 | $32.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,476 | $34.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,245 | $39.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,751 | $42.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,611 | $47.41 |
Median Salary Position
21.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ottumwa
In Ottumwa, IA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,276 (2026 est.). At $81,245, the local median is 21.08% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ottumwa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ottumwa Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Ottumwa median: $81,245/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ottumwa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $87,360 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -21.08% less |
Dental Hygienists in Ottumwa, IA earn a median of $81,245 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.08% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 7.00% below the Iowa state average of $87,360.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ottumwa 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.
Ottumwa, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $81,245 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $89,873 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$68,529
2025 BLS Actual
$77,420
2026 Current Est.
$81,245
2020–2027 Growth
+24.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Ottumwa (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $68,529 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,961 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,853 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,687 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,013 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,245 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,258 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ottumwa metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 13.0% from $68,529 (2020) to $77,420 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,258 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,729 (24.41%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ottumwa 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) | $68,335 – $72,476 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,476 – $81,245 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,245 – $87,751 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,751 – $98,611 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Ottumwa
A modest employment figure of five dental hygienists in Ottumwa indicates a limited local job market, which could influence salary competitiveness. The cost of living, being below the national average, may give dental hygienists in the area a decent lifestyle, but their take-home pay could still feel constrained. Among local employers, the highest pay is often found within larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), which tend to provide more robust benefits than independent practices. Factors contributing to the income variability include production-based bonuses linked to patient retention and the working schedules offered—those in 4-day positions may earn more than their 5-day counterparts. Strategies for maximizing earning potential in Ottumwa could involve seeking employment with DSOs that offer higher starting salaries and more comprehensive benefits packages, thus ensuring a more stable financial future in this profession.
More salary data for Ottumwa, 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 $77,420 for dental hygienistsin the Ottumwa 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 Ottumwa 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