Dental Hygienist Pay

Davenport vs Sioux City: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Davenport, IA and Sioux City, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Davenport, IA
$86,051
$41.37/hr
Sioux City, IA
$88,066
$42.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavenport, IASioux City, IA
Median Salary$86,051$88,066
Hourly Rate$41.37$42.34
Entry Level (P10)$77,740$83,217
25th Percentile$81,979$85,138
75th Percentile$98,224$98,381
Top Earner (P90)$100,543$99,997
Total Employed280120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davenport ($86,051) and Sioux City ($88,066) dental hygienist salaries.DavenportSioux CityMedian Salary$86,051$88,066Entry Level (P10)$77,740$83,217Top Earner (P90)$100,543$99,997US Median $102,946

Verdict

Davenport and Sioux City are closely matched on overall dental hygienist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Davenport and Sioux City is $2,015 (2.34%). Sioux City's median is -14.45% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Davenport spans $22,803,Sioux City spans $16,780. Davenport has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Davenport
P10 (Entry)$77,740
P25$81,979
Median$86,051
P75$98,224
P90 (Top)$100,543
Sioux City
P10 (Entry)$83,217
P25$85,138
Median$88,066
P75$98,381
P90 (Top)$99,997

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sioux City ($101,865 effective) pays 5.45% more than Davenport ($96,601 effective).

Davenport
Nominal: $86,051
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $96,601
Sioux City
Nominal: $88,066
CoL Index: 86.454
Adjusted: $101,865

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Davenport if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($100,543)
  • Larger job market (280 employed)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Sioux City if…

  • Higher median salary ($88,066/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,865)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Davenport grew 15.3% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 11.9% growth in Sioux City over the same period.

Davenport, IA

+15.3%

$71,140 (2020) → $82,000 (2025)

Sioux City, IA

+11.9%

$74,980 (2020) → $83,920 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Davenport or Sioux City?

Sioux City has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $88,066/year, compared to Davenport at $86,051/year — a difference of $2,015 (2.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and Sioux City?

Davenport dental hygienists earn $41.37/hr while Sioux City hygienists earn $42.34/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Davenport to Sioux City as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davenport and Sioux City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davenport = $96,601, Sioux City = $101,865), job availability (280 vs 120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Davenport vs Sioux City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $77,740 in Davenport and $83,217 in Sioux City. The Sioux City area offers higher starting salaries.
SCSarah Chen

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov