School Psychologist salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
School Psychologists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $76,320 a year ($36.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,840 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $95,990. Pay here is 3% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $74,410. There are 0.25 school psychologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $75,120, close to the median.
Pay range for school psychologists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,950 | $25.94 |
| 25th percentile | $53,950 | $25.94 |
| Median | $76,320 | $36.69 |
| 75th percentile | $95,190 | $45.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,840 | $49.92 |
| Average (mean) | $75,120 | $36.11 |
Half of school psychologists 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 | $6,360 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,180 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,935.38 |
| Weekly | $1,467.69 |
| Hourly | $36.69 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $76,320 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
School Psychologist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $89,900 | 210 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $81,840 | 60 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $49,100 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for school psychologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $127,780 |
| Colorado | $124,770 |
| New Mexico | $110,360 |
| Maryland | $109,700 |
| Washington | $108,780 |
| District of Columbia | $107,500 |
| New York | $106,550 |
| Oregon | $106,070 |
| Connecticut | $100,600 |
| Georgia | $99,110 |
See School Psychologist pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Urban and Regional Planners | $85,980 | $41.34 |
| Economist | $96,310 | $46.30 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $91,920 | $44.19 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $84,740 | $40.74 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $132,290 | $63.60 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $92,310 | $44.38 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $81,220 | $39.05 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $76,580 | $36.82 |
| Chemist | $87,560 | $42.10 |
| Food Science Technician | $48,820 | $23.47 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $95,200 | $45.77 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $99,420 | $47.80 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $46,950 | $22.57 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $43,960 | $21.14 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science 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 19-3034. 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 school psychologist make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for school psychologists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $76,320 a year, or $36.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid school psychologists make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of school psychologists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $103,840 a year. The top 25% earn $95,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for school psychologists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,950 a year, and a quarter of school psychologists earn $53,950 or less.
How many school psychologists work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 100 school psychologists are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.