Dental Hygienist Salary in Mason City, IA: $82,672 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Mason City, IA earns a median $82,672/year (≈ $39.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Mason City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $91,451 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mason City, Iowa, the forecast for dental hygienists indicates a median annual salary of $82,672 in 2026, reflecting a competitive local market despite being about 19.69% less than the national median. The projected salary range varies significantly, from $65,508 at the 10th percentile up to $101,340 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the diverse compensation landscape in the region. With only four dental hygienists currently employed locally, the job market indicates limited saturation, which can lead to potential growth opportunities as healthcare demand increases.
About the Mason City Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($85,185) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,508 | $31.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,213 | $34.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,672 | $39.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,362 | $42.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,340 | $48.72 |
Median Salary Position
19.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mason City
In Mason City, IA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,832 (2026 est.). At $82,672, the local median is 19.69% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mason City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mason City Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Mason City median: $82,672/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mason City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $87,299 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -19.69% less |
Dental Hygienists in Mason City, IA earn a median of $82,672 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.69% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 5.30% below the Iowa state average of $87,299.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mason City 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.
Mason City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $82,672 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,451 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$69,734
2025 BLS Actual
$78,780
2026 Current Est.
$82,672
2020–2027 Growth
+24.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Mason City (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $69,734 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,225 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,133 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,017 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,185 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,672 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,756 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mason City metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 13.0% from $69,734 (2020) to $78,780 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,756 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,022 (24.41%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mason City 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) | $65,508 – $71,213 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,213 – $82,672 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,672 – $89,362 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,362 – $101,340 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Mason City
The cost of living in Mason City, indexed at 90.4, suggests that take-home pay can go further compared to more expensive regions, effectively enhancing the purchasing power for dental hygienist salaries. Salaries can vary widely based on employment type; Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) typically offer the highest pay due to their established benefits and sign-on bonuses, while solo practices may lag behind in compensation and health benefits. Factors contributing to salary disparities include production-based bonuses influenced by patient retention rates and the number of days worked per week. To maximize earning potential, aspiring hygienists in Mason City should consider positions with DSOs and negotiate schedules that include at least four working days, which not only increases weekly hours but can also yield higher overall pay.
More salary data for Mason City, 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 $78,780 for dental hygienistsin the Mason City 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 Mason City 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