Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $50,450 a year, based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,900 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $42,910. Pay here is 29% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $38,960. There are 0.23 teaching assistants, postsecondary per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.22). The average (mean) salary is $51,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for teaching assistants, postsecondary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,850 |
| 25th percentile | $38,150 |
| Median | $50,450 |
| 75th percentile | $58,260 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,900 |
| Average (mean) | $51,900 |
Half of teaching assistants, 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 | $4,204.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,102.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,940.38 |
| Weekly | $970.19 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because teaching assistants, 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.
Buying a home? On a $50,450 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $49,340 | 40 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $43,190 | 440 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,340 | 140 |
Highest-paying states for teaching assistants, postsecondary
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $58,330 |
| Massachusetts | $56,370 |
| Texas | $55,670 |
| New Jersey | $54,260 |
| Minnesota | $53,380 |
| Utah | $52,300 |
| Washington | $50,460 |
| North Carolina | $50,050 |
| North Dakota | $49,960 |
| Oklahoma | $49,920 |
See Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $34,620 | — |
| 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 |
| 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 25-9044. 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, postsecondary make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for teaching assistants, postsecondary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $50,450 a year. Pay ranges from $36,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid teaching assistants, postsecondary make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of teaching assistants, postsecondary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $62,900 a year. The top 25% earn $58,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for teaching assistants, postsecondary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,850 a year, and a quarter of teaching assistants, postsecondary earn $38,150 or less.
How many teaching assistants, postsecondary work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 90 teaching assistants, postsecondary are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.