Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Elementary School Teacher Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

In the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metropolitan area, elementary school teachers earned a median annual wage of $63,300 ($30.43/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $49,400/year and the 90th was $80,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Iowa tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $51,288 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 91.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$63,300$30.43 per hour · $5,275 monthly
10th Percentile$49,400$23.75/hr base
25th Percentile$50,800$24.42/hr base
75th Percentile$67,100$32.26/hr base
90th Percentile$80,900$38.89/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$63,300
$25,000$130,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$63,300
Net 81%
Fed 9%
IA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$51,288After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,274Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,973Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,416 / yr
Iowa state income tax$1,754 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,842 / yr

Elementary School Teachers Wage Percentiles in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Elementary School Teachers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IA)
10th Percentile$23.75/hr$4,117$49,400$40,648
25th Percentile$24.42/hr$4,233$50,800$41,719
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$30.43/hr$5,275$63,300$51,288
75th Percentile$32.26/hr$5,592$67,100$54,137
90th Percentile$38.89/hr$6,742$80,900$63,321

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$63,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$85,890Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index91.78.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio73.7%of area median income

Compare elementary school teachers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Iowa:

Frequently Asked Questions About Elementary School Teachers Pay in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

What is the median salary for elementary school teachers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

The official BLS median annual wage for elementary school teachers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $63,300, which equates to approximately $5,275 per month or $30.43 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for elementary school teachers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

The median hourly wage for elementary school teachers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $30.43 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $23.75/hour and one in ten earned more than $38.89/hour.

What is the pay range for elementary school teachers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

BLS wage estimates for elementary school teachers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA span from $49,400 at the 10th percentile to $50,800 at the 25th, $67,100 at the 75th, and $80,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do elementary school teachers take home after taxes in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

On a median gross salary of $63,300, an estimated $51,288 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,973 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $12,012 (an effective rate of 19%).

How much do elementary school teachers make per month in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

On the median annual salary of $63,300, gross monthly income is $5,275. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $4,274 per month (or $1,973 every two weeks).

Is $63,300 a good salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

At $63,300, the median salary for elementary school teachers is 73.7% of the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA median household income ($85,890). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 91.7, making regional consumer goods and services 8.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.