How much does a social worker make in Des Moines?
$94,930a year
Median yearly pay for social workers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $45.64 an hour or $7,911 a month.
- Hourly
- $45.64
- Vs. national median
- +32%
- Rank among cities
- 35 of 224
- Jobs in the area
- 90
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $55,610Median: $94,930Highest 10%: $113,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $55,610 | $26.74 | |
| 25th | $84,070 | $40.42 | |
| Median | $94,930 | $45.64 | |
| 75th | $107,300 | $51.58 | |
| 90th | $113,800 | $54.71 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for social workers.
| Omaha, NE | $92,480 |
| Iowa City, IA | $90,900 |
| Davenport, IA | $81,000 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist | $79,370 |
| Health Education Specialist | $75,750 |
| Director | $66,140 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $63,380 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $62,360 |
| Clergy | $61,640 |
| Substance Abuse | $61,320 |
| Educational | $57,580 |
| Child | $56,280 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $49,750 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a social worker make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $45.64 ($94,930 a year).
Do social workers make more in Des Moines than the national average?
Yes: $94,930 against $71,900 nationally, 32% more.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $91,170, so Des Moines pays 4% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for social worker pay?
35 of 224 metro areas with data.
How much does a social worker make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $55,610 or less a year; the top 10% make $113,800 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.