How much does a physician assistant make in Des Moines?
$133,800a year
Median yearly pay for physician assistants in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $64.34 an hour or $11,150 a month.
- Hourly
- $64.34
- Vs. national median
- -2%
- Rank among cities
- 152 of 348
- Jobs in the area
- 340
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $99,990Median: $133,800Highest 10%: $188,900
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $99,990 | $48.07 | |
| 25th | $114,500 | $55.06 | |
| Median | $133,800 | $64.34 | |
| 75th | $158,700 | $76.32 | |
| 90th | $188,900 | $90.80 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for physician assistants.
| Davenport, IA | $137,400 |
| Iowa City, IA | $134,800 |
| Omaha, NE | $134,100 |
| Waterloo, IA | $132,900 |
| Sioux City, IA | $131,000 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $129,700 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $426,300 |
| Psychiatrist | $358,000 |
| Physician | $309,900 |
| Pediatrician | $271,200 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,200 |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200 |
| Physician | $239,200 |
| Radiologist | $239,200 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $237,700 |
| Dentist | $209,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physician assistant make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $64.34 ($133,800 a year).
Do physician assistants make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $133,800 against $135,900 nationally, 2% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $134,800, so Des Moines pays 1% less.
Where does Des Moines rank for physician assistant pay?
152 of 348 metro areas with data.
How much does a physician assistant make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $99,990 or less a year; the top 10% make $188,900 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.