Nursing Assistant salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Nursing Assistants in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $43,940 a year ($21.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,660 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,630 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $42,260. Pay here is 12% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $39,350. There are 12 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $42,640, close to the median.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,420 | $17.03 |
| 25th percentile | $37,280 | $17.92 |
| Median | $43,940 | $21.13 |
| 75th percentile | $46,300 | $22.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,630 | $24.34 |
| Average (mean) | $42,640 | $20.50 |
Half of nursing assistants 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 | $3,661.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,830.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,690 |
| Weekly | $845 |
| Hourly | $21.13 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,940 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Nursing Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | $43,540 | 770 |
| Dubuque, IA | $41,580 | 1,010 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $40,020 | 7,740 |
| Iowa City, IA | $39,330 | 1,310 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $39,110 | 1,740 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $38,940 | 930 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $38,930 | 1,440 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $38,740 | 2,220 |
Highest-paying states for nursing assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 |
| Washington | $49,180 |
| New York | $48,590 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| California | $47,630 |
| Colorado | $47,380 |
| Vermont | $47,130 |
| Maine | $47,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 |
See Nursing Assistant pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,350 | $17.48 |
| Orderly | $37,090 | $17.83 |
| Medical Assistant | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| Dental Assistant | $50,020 | $24.05 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $35,120 | $16.89 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,560 | $18.06 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,490 | $18.51 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,360 | $29.50 |
| Massage Therapist | $76,090 | $36.58 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $46,310 | $22.26 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,020 | $21.64 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $29,120 | $14.00 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $64,250 | $30.89 |
More: Healthcare Support 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 31-1131. 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 nursing assistant make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for nursing assistants in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $43,940 a year, or $21.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $50,630 a year. The top 25% earn $46,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,420 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $37,280 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 4,660 nursing assistants are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.