How much does a teaching assistant make in Des Moines?
$34,620a year
Median yearly pay for teaching assistants in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $16.64 an hour or $2,885 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.64
- Vs. national median
- -6%
- Rank among cities
- 195 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 5,140
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $23,740Median: $34,620Highest 10%: $38,340
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,740 | $11.41 | |
| 25th | $29,470 | $14.17 | |
| Median | $34,620 | $16.64 | |
| 75th | $37,110 | $17.84 | |
| 90th | $38,340 | $18.43 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for teaching assistants.
| Omaha, NE | $35,910 |
| Davenport, IA | $34,530 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $32,890 |
| Sioux City, IA | $30,880 |
| Ames, IA | $30,420 |
| Dubuque, IA | $30,410 |
| Iowa City, IA | $30,340 |
| Waterloo, IA | $29,900 |
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 teaching assistant make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $16.64 ($34,620 a year).
Do teaching assistants make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $34,620 against $36,780 nationally, 6% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $30,510, so Des Moines pays 13% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for teaching assistant pay?
195 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a teaching assistant make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $23,740 or less a year; the top 10% make $38,340 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.