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

Medical Assistant Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

In the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metropolitan area, medical assistants earned a median annual wage of $47,500 ($22.84/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $38,400/year and the 90th was $57,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Iowa tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $39,193 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 91.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$47,500$22.84 per hour · $3,958 monthly
10th Percentile$38,400$18.46/hr base
25th Percentile$40,700$19.57/hr base
75th Percentile$50,200$24.13/hr base
90th Percentile$57,400$27.60/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

$47,500
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$47,500
Net 83%
Fed 7%
IA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$39,193After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,266Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,507Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,520 / yr
Iowa state income tax$1,153 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,634 / yr

Medical Assistants 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 Medical Assistants in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IA)
10th Percentile$18.46/hr$3,200$38,400$32,227
25th Percentile$19.57/hr$3,392$40,700$33,988
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$22.84/hr$3,958$47,500$39,193
75th Percentile$24.13/hr$4,183$50,200$41,260
90th Percentile$27.60/hr$4,783$57,400$46,772

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 $$47,500 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 Ratio55.3%of area median income

Compare medical assistants salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Iowa:

Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Assistants Pay in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

What is the median salary for medical assistants in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

The official BLS median annual wage for medical assistants in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $47,500, which equates to approximately $3,958 per month or $22.84 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for medical assistants in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

The median hourly wage for medical assistants in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $22.84 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $18.46/hour and one in ten earned more than $27.60/hour.

What is the pay range for medical assistants in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

BLS wage estimates for medical assistants in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA span from $38,400 at the 10th percentile to $40,700 at the 25th, $50,200 at the 75th, and $57,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do medical assistants take home after taxes in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

On a median gross salary of $47,500, an estimated $39,193 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,507 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,307 (an effective rate of 17.5%).

How much do medical assistants make per month in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

On the median annual salary of $47,500, gross monthly income is $3,958. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,266 per month (or $1,507 every two weeks).

Is $47,500 a good salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

At $47,500, the median salary for medical assistants is 55.3% 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.