How much does a preschool teacher make in Des Moines?
$33,850a year
Median yearly pay for preschool teachers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $16.27 an hour or $2,821 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.27
- Vs. national median
- -11%
- Rank among cities
- 279 of 383
- Jobs in the area
- 1,800
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $29,170Median: $33,850Highest 10%: $46,990
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,170 | $14.02 | |
| 25th | $29,940 | $14.39 | |
| Median | $33,850 | $16.27 | |
| 75th | $37,550 | $18.05 | |
| 90th | $46,990 | $22.59 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for preschool teachers.
| Omaha, NE | $44,440 |
| Sioux City, IA | $37,840 |
| Davenport, IA | $37,200 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $34,880 |
| Dubuque, IA | $31,130 |
| Iowa City, IA | $30,720 |
| Ames, IA | $30,590 |
| Waterloo, IA | $30,420 |
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 a preschool teacher make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $16.27 ($33,850 a year).
Do preschool teachers make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $33,850 against $38,140 nationally, 11% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $33,830, so Des Moines pays 0% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for preschool teacher pay?
279 of 383 metro areas with data.
How much does a preschool teacher make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $29,170 or less a year; the top 10% make $46,990 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.