How much does a childcare worker make in Des Moines?
$29,760a year
Median yearly pay for childcare workers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $14.31 an hour or $2,480 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.31
- Vs. national median
- -15%
- Rank among cities
- 230 of 385
- Jobs in the area
- 1,720
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $23,500Median: $29,760Highest 10%: $42,960
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,500 | $11.30 | |
| 25th | $27,290 | $13.12 | |
| Median | $29,760 | $14.31 | |
| 75th | $33,990 | $16.34 | |
| 90th | $42,960 | $20.65 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for childcare workers.
| Davenport, IA | $32,300 |
| Dubuque, IA | $31,730 |
| Omaha, NE | $31,330 |
| Sioux City, IA | $29,330 |
| Iowa City, IA | $29,170 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $28,170 |
| Ames, IA | $27,850 |
| Waterloo, IA | $27,580 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Mortician | $70,100 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Worker | $42,040 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Worker | $38,920 |
| Skincare Specialist | $38,730 |
| Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor | $38,700 |
| Residential Advisor | $38,310 |
| Recreation Worker | $36,150 |
| Hairdresser | $35,640 |
| Animal Caretaker | $30,950 |
| Personal Care and Service Worker | $30,700 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $14.31 ($29,760 a year).
Do childcare workers make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $29,760 against $34,980 nationally, 15% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $28,420, so Des Moines pays 5% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for childcare worker pay?
230 of 385 metro areas with data.
How much does a childcare worker make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $23,500 or less a year; the top 10% make $42,960 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.