How much does a special education teacher make in Des Moines?
$60,310a year
Median yearly pay for special education teachers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $29.00 an hour or $5,026 a month.
- Hourly
- $29.00
- Vs. national median
- -19%
- Rank among cities
- 233 of 314
- Jobs in the area
- 580
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $46,520Median: $60,310Highest 10%: $79,420
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,520 | $22.37 | |
| 25th | $51,190 | $24.61 | |
| Median | $60,310 | $29.00 | |
| 75th | $73,300 | $35.24 | |
| 90th | $79,420 | $38.18 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for special education teachers.
| Omaha, NE | $63,600 |
| Iowa City, IA | $62,760 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $62,110 |
| Sioux City, IA | $61,830 |
| Davenport, IA | $61,710 |
| Waterloo, IA | $59,760 |
| Dubuque, IA | $58,950 |
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 $29.00 ($60,310 a year).
Do special education teachers make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $60,310 against $74,260 nationally, 19% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $60,780, so Des Moines pays 1% less.
Where does Des Moines rank for special education teacher pay?
233 of 314 metro areas with data.
How much does a special education teacher make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $46,520 or less a year; the top 10% make $79,420 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.