Community Health Worker salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Community Health Workers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $46,790 a year ($22.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,240 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $51,850. Pay here is 2% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $47,780. There are 0.18 community health workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.45). The average (mean) salary is $50,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for community health workers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,240 | $18.38 |
| 25th percentile | $40,690 | $19.56 |
| Median | $46,790 | $22.50 |
| 75th percentile | $52,790 | $25.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,240 | $35.21 |
| Average (mean) | $50,570 | $24.31 |
Half of community health workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,899.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,949.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,799.62 |
| Weekly | $899.81 |
| Hourly | $22.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,790 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Community Health Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $51,760 | 90 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $47,590 | 40 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $46,650 | 60 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $46,600 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for community health workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $66,680 |
| District of Columbia | $62,510 |
| North Dakota | $59,610 |
| Colorado | $59,260 |
| Hawaii | $58,450 |
| New York | $58,130 |
| California | $58,050 |
| Nevada | $57,730 |
| Washington | $57,070 |
| Delaware | $55,850 |
See Community Health Worker pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $61,320 | $29.48 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $56,280 | $27.06 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $46,200 | $22.21 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $57,580 | $27.68 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $62,360 | $29.98 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $49,750 | $23.92 |
| Health Education Specialist | $75,750 | $36.42 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $79,370 | $38.16 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $94,930 | $45.64 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $63,380 | $30.47 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $48,310 | $23.23 |
| Counselors, All Other | $73,380 | $35.28 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $47,680 | $22.92 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 21-1094. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a community health worker make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for community health workers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $46,790 a year, or $22.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid community health workers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of community health workers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $73,240 a year. The top 25% earn $52,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for community health workers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,240 a year, and a quarter of community health workers earn $40,690 or less.
How many community health workers work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 70 community health workers are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.