Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $37,750 a year ($18.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,780 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,050 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $41,670. Pay here is 1% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $37,230. There are 4.4 substitute teachers, Short-Term per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $40,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for substitute teachers, Short-Term in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,020 | $17.80 |
| 25th percentile | $37,340 | $17.95 |
| Median | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| 75th percentile | $40,350 | $19.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| Average (mean) | $40,370 | $19.41 |
Half of substitute teachers, Short-Term 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 | $3,145.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,572.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,451.92 |
| Weekly | $725.96 |
| Hourly | $18.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,750 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $46,530 | 360 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $43,440 | 1,240 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $36,850 | 990 |
| Iowa City, IA | $36,850 | 470 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $36,710 | 650 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $36,440 | 400 |
| Ames, IA | $36,330 | 260 |
Highest-paying states for substitute teachers, Short-Term
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $66,920 |
| California | $60,300 |
| Hawaii | $58,530 |
| Oregon | $58,280 |
| Washington | $55,740 |
| Minnesota | $50,390 |
| District of Columbia | $49,790 |
| West Virginia | $49,020 |
| Maryland | $46,470 |
| Rhode Island | $45,590 |
See Substitute Teachers, Short-Term pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $34,880 | $16.77 |
| Teachers and Instructors, All Other | $54,080 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $34,620 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $61,650 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $62,480 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $33,850 | $16.27 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,980 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $76,600 | $36.83 |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $60,310 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $59,780 | — |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $102,220 | — |
| Library Technician | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $75,960 | $36.52 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other | $36,560 | $17.58 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library 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 25-3031. 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 substitute teachers, Short-Term make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for substitute teachers, Short-Term in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $37,750 a year, or $18.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid substitute teachers, Short-Term make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of substitute teachers, Short-Term in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $48,050 a year. The top 25% earn $40,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for substitute teachers, Short-Term in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,020 a year, and a quarter of substitute teachers, Short-Term earn $37,340 or less.
How many substitute teachers, Short-Term work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 1,780 substitute teachers, Short-Term are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.