How much does a special education teacher make in Des Moines?
$59,780a year
Median yearly pay for special education teachers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $28.74 an hour or $4,982 a month.
- Hourly
- $28.74
- Vs. national median
- -8%
- Rank among cities
- 239 of 335
- Jobs in the area
- 490
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $50,110Median: $59,780Highest 10%: $79,500
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,110 | $24.09 | |
| 25th | $50,590 | $24.32 | |
| Median | $59,780 | $28.74 | |
| 75th | $74,760 | $35.94 | |
| 90th | $79,500 | $38.22 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for special education teachers.
| Ames, IA | $63,480 |
| Omaha, NE | $62,970 |
| Iowa City, IA | $61,440 |
| Davenport, IA | $61,240 |
| Sioux City, IA | $60,570 |
| Dubuque, IA | $60,470 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $60,160 |
| Waterloo, IA | $59,500 |
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 special education teacher make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $28.74 ($59,780 a year).
Do special education teachers make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $59,780 against $65,120 nationally, 8% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $60,440, so Des Moines pays 1% less.
Where does Des Moines rank for special education teacher pay?
239 of 335 metro areas with data.
How much does a special education teacher make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $50,110 or less a year; the top 10% make $79,500 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.