Dental Hygienist Salary in Bettendorf, IA: $83,424 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Bettendorf, IA earns a median $83,424/year (≈ $40.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Bettendorf's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $92,283 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bettendorf, IA, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists in 2026 is set at $83,424, reflecting a notable difference when compared to the national median of $102,946. The salary range is broad, spanning from $67,326 at the 10th percentile to $106,444 at the 90th percentile, providing various earning potentials within the local market. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional pricing, highlight that while Bettendorf's dental hygienist salaries are lower than the national average, the overall cost of living in the area is below that of many urban centers, offering a more favorable take-home picture for local professionals. This dynamic helps contextualize the local job market for dental hygienists, emphasizing the opportunities that exist despite differences in compensation.
About the Bettendorf Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($85,185) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,326 | $32.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,764 | $34.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,424 | $40.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,975 | $44.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,444 | $51.18 |
Median Salary Position
18.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bettendorf
In Bettendorf, IA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,118 (2026 est.). At $83,424, the local median is 18.96% below the national median of $102,946.
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At 40 hours/week in Bettendorf: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bettendorf Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Bettendorf median: $83,424/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bettendorf Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $87,355 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -18.96% less |
Dental Hygienists in Bettendorf, IA earn a median of $83,424 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.96% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $87,355.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bettendorf 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.
Bettendorf, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $83,424 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $92,283 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$70,368
2025 BLS Actual
$79,497
2026 Current Est.
$83,424
2020–2027 Growth
+24.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Bettendorf (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $70,368 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,891 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,808 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,718 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,583 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,497 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,424 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,545 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bettendorf metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 13.0% from $70,368 (2020) to $79,497 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,545 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,177 (24.41%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bettendorf 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) | $67,326 – $72,764 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,764 – $83,424 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,424 – $92,975 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,975 – $106,444 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Bettendorf
With only 10 dental hygienists currently employed in Bettendorf, the local job market represents a stable but modest demand for these professionals. Given the cost-of-living index of 90.4, which is lower than the national average, dental hygienists may find that their salaries stretch further in this environment. Among the various types of employers in the area, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland and Aspen often provide the highest pay packages, including benefits and sign-on bonuses, making them appealing options for new graduates. On the other hand, solo practices may not offer comparable salaries due to fewer patients and limited resources. To maximize pay, budding hygienists should consider working for DSOs or multi-doctor practices that tend to incorporate production-based bonuses linked to performance metrics, such as recare retention rates, while also evaluating the balance between days worked and pay offered across different settings in Bettendorf.
More salary data for Bettendorf, 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 $79,497 for dental hygienistsin the Bettendorf 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 Bettendorf 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