How much does an elementary school teacher make in Des Moines?
$61,650a year
Median yearly pay for elementary school teachers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $29.64 an hour or $5,138 a month.
- Hourly
- $29.64
- Vs. national median
- -4%
- Rank among cities
- 192 of 383
- Jobs in the area
- 3,640
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $46,090Median: $61,650Highest 10%: $79,610
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,090 | $22.16 | |
| 25th | $49,630 | $23.86 | |
| Median | $61,650 | $29.64 | |
| 75th | $64,000 | $30.77 | |
| 90th | $79,610 | $38.27 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for elementary school teachers.
| Omaha, NE | $62,670 |
| Ames, IA | $62,430 |
| Sioux City, IA | $62,270 |
| Davenport, IA | $61,650 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $61,430 |
| Iowa City, IA | $60,870 |
| Waterloo, IA | $60,780 |
| Dubuque, IA | $57,840 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Health Specialties Teacher | $102,200 |
| Business Teacher | $82,730 |
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher | $80,180 |
| English Language and Literature Teacher | $76,960 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $76,600 |
| Librarian and Media Collections Specialist | $75,960 |
| Art | $75,490 |
| Biological Science Teacher | $75,180 |
| Mathematical Science Teacher | $74,030 |
| Special Education Teacher | $63,890 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an elementary school teacher make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $29.64 ($61,650 a year).
Do elementary school teachers make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $61,650 against $63,970 nationally, 4% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $60,580, so Des Moines pays 2% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for elementary school teacher pay?
192 of 383 metro areas with data.
How much does an elementary school teacher make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $46,090 or less a year; the top 10% make $79,610 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.