Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $34,620 a year, based on BLS data for 5,140 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,340 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $36,780. Pay here is 13% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $30,510. There are 13 teaching assistants, except postsecondary per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $33,080, close to the median.
Pay range for teaching assistants, except postsecondary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,740 |
| 25th percentile | $29,470 |
| Median | $34,620 |
| 75th percentile | $37,110 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,340 |
| Average (mean) | $33,080 |
Half of teaching assistants, except postsecondary 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 | $2,885 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,442.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,331.54 |
| Weekly | $665.77 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because teaching assistants, except postsecondary are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $35,910 | 5,210 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $34,530 | 2,100 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $32,890 | 1,870 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $30,880 | 990 |
| Ames, IA | $30,420 | 780 |
| Dubuque, IA | $30,410 | 710 |
| Iowa City, IA | $30,340 | 1,290 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $29,900 | 1,350 |
Highest-paying states for teaching assistants, except postsecondary
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $49,120 |
| District of Columbia | $46,920 |
| Maine | $46,750 |
| California | $46,490 |
| Vermont | $43,800 |
| Minnesota | $40,100 |
| Oregon | $39,850 |
| Massachusetts | $39,380 |
| Virginia | $38,520 |
| New Hampshire | $38,440 |
See Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Instructional Coordinator | $76,600 | $36.83 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other | $36,560 | $17.58 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $43,720 | $21.02 |
| Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary | $50,450 | — |
| 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 |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,980 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $34,880 | $16.77 |
| 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 |
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 25-9045. 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 teaching assistants, except postsecondary make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for teaching assistants, except postsecondary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $34,620 a year. Pay ranges from $23,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid teaching assistants, except postsecondary make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of teaching assistants, except postsecondary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $38,340 a year. The top 25% earn $37,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for teaching assistants, except postsecondary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,740 a year, and a quarter of teaching assistants, except postsecondary earn $29,470 or less.
How many teaching assistants, except postsecondary work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 5,140 teaching assistants, except postsecondary are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.