Physician Assistant salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Physician Assistants in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $133,830 a year ($64.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $99,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $188,860 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $135,880. Pay here is 1% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $134,770. There are 0.83 physician assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $137,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physician assistants in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $99,990 | $48.07 |
| 25th percentile | $114,530 | $55.06 |
| Median | $133,830 | $64.34 |
| 75th percentile | $158,740 | $76.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $188,860 | $90.80 |
| Average (mean) | $137,940 | $66.32 |
Half of physician 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 | $11,152.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,576.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,147.31 |
| Weekly | $2,573.65 |
| Hourly | $64.34 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $133,830 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physician Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $137,420 | 110 |
| Iowa City, IA | $134,770 | 230 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $134,130 | 720 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $132,880 | 60 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $130,970 | 70 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $129,680 | 80 |
| Dubuque, IA | $126,050 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for physician assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $165,690 |
| California | $165,650 |
| Washington | $164,360 |
| Hawaii | $164,050 |
| New York | $160,880 |
| Oregon | $155,780 |
| New Hampshire | $150,960 |
| Alaska | $150,700 |
| Vermont | $150,490 |
| Massachusetts | $142,410 |
See Physician Assistant pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,630 | $37.80 |
| Pharmacist | $141,110 | $67.84 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,230 | $63.57 |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,660 | $45.03 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,790 | $47.02 |
| Physicians, All Other | $309,880 | $148.98 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $84,080 | $40.42 |
| Dentists, General | $209,300 | $100.62 |
| Occupational Therapist | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,200 | $127.50 |
| Chiropractor | $74,810 | $35.96 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,820 | $31.64 |
| Veterinarian | $130,900 | $62.93 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $75,650 | $36.37 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 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 29-1071. 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 physician assistant make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for physician assistants in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $133,830 a year, or $64.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $99,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $188,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physician assistants make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of physician assistants in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $188,860 a year. The top 25% earn $158,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for physician assistants in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $99,990 a year, and a quarter of physician assistants earn $114,530 or less.
How many physician assistants work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 340 physician assistants are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.