Dental Hygienist Pay

Bettendorf vs Davenport: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

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

Bettendorf, IA
$83,424
$40.11/hr
Davenport, IA
$86,051
$41.37/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBettendorf, IADavenport, IA
Median Salary$83,424$86,051
Hourly Rate$40.11$41.37
Entry Level (P10)$67,326$77,740
25th Percentile$72,764$81,979
75th Percentile$92,975$98,224
Top Earner (P90)$106,444$100,543
Total Employed10280
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bettendorf ($83,424) and Davenport ($86,051) dental hygienist salaries.BettendorfDavenportMedian Salary$83,424$86,051Entry Level (P10)$67,326$77,740Top Earner (P90)$106,444$100,543US Median $102,946

Verdict

Davenport, IA offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Bettendorf.

The salary gap between Bettendorf and Davenport is $2,627 (3.15%). Davenport's median is -16.41% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bettendorf spans $39,118,Davenport spans $22,803. Bettendorf has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bettendorf
P10 (Entry)$67,326
P25$72,764
Median$83,424
P75$92,975
P90 (Top)$106,444
Davenport
P10 (Entry)$77,740
P25$81,979
Median$86,051
P75$98,224
P90 (Top)$100,543

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Davenport ($96,601 effective) pays 4.68% more than Bettendorf ($92,283 effective).

Bettendorf
Nominal: $83,424
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $92,283
Davenport
Nominal: $86,051
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $96,601

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bettendorf if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($106,444)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Davenport if…

  • Higher median salary ($86,051/year)
  • Larger job market (280 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $96,601)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Bettendorf grew 13.0% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 15.3% growth in Davenport over the same period.

Bettendorf, IA

+13.0%

$70,368 (2020) → $79,497 (2025)

Davenport, IA

+15.3%

$71,140 (2020) → $82,000 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Bettendorf or Davenport?

Davenport has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $86,051/year, compared to Bettendorf at $83,424/year — a difference of $2,627 (3.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bettendorf and Davenport?

Bettendorf dental hygienists earn $40.11/hr while Davenport hygienists earn $41.37/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bettendorf to Davenport as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bettendorf and Davenport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bettendorf = $92,283, Davenport = $96,601), job availability (10 vs 280 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $67,326 in Bettendorf and $77,740 in Davenport. The Davenport 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