Highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Des Moines

Written by:
February 17, 2021
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Highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Des Moines

Anybody who has taken a course in marketing, psychology or sociology is likely familiar with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. First detailed by psychologist Andrew Maslow in his 1943 work “A Theory of Human Motivation,” the hierarchy breaks down the complex network of human thoughts into a categorical triage, placing self-development at the top and security and physical health at the bottom. In setting up this pyramid, Maslow framed self-recognition and creative development as ultimate goals, while also prioritizing personal safety and strong physical health.

As such, it has never been more important to recognize the health care professionals who work tirelessly to keep the population healthy. In 2019, the United States spent 17.7% of its GDP on health. While it’s encouraging to know that the country is investing in those responsible for maintaining the nation’s well-being, not all health care professionals receive equal compensation.

Stacker compiled a list of the highest and lowest paying health care jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2019 annual mean wage. Keep reading to see which health care jobs make the most and least in your city.

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#46. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $26,960
- #175 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $29,690
- Employment: 97,030
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New Haven, CT ($48,240)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,890)
--- Port St. Lucie, FL ($43,200)
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#45. Dietetic technicians

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $28,420
- #78 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $31,180
- Employment: 29,230
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN ($52,880)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($45,910)
--- Salinas, CA ($44,730)
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Tyler Olson // Shutterstock

#44. Phlebotomists

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $29,510
- #285 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240

National
- Annual mean salary: $36,480
- Employment: 128,290
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($58,610)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($54,040)
--- Redding, CA ($52,310)
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Maria Sbytova // Shutterstock

#43. Veterinary technologists and technicians

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $31,730
- #222 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250

National
- Annual mean salary: $36,670
- Employment: 110,650
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI ($76,660)
--- Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA ($57,740)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($50,100)
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GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock

#42. Nursing assistants

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $32,250
- #87 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,290

National
- Annual mean salary: $30,720
- Employment: 1,419,920
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($46,170)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($45,100)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($44,710)
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Goldsithney // Shutterstock

#41. Psychiatric technicians

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $32,660
- #68 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $37,550
- Employment: 78,470
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($72,990)
--- Fresno, CA ($66,710)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($66,290)
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Rido // Shutterstock

#40. Opticians, dispensing

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $32,700
- #225 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 290

National
- Annual mean salary: $40,730
- Employment: 72,330
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Utica-Rome, NY ($70,730)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($68,970)
--- New Haven, CT ($66,020)
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#39. Medical equipment preparers

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $32,920
- #146 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80

National
- Annual mean salary: $39,530
- Employment: 56,900
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($63,400)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($61,080)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($60,670)
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Dragana Gordic // Shutterstock

#38. Pharmacy technicians

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $34,640
- #153 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 860

National
- Annual mean salary: $35,250
- Employment: 417,780
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($51,090)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($50,790)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($50,070)
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Milkovasa // Shutterstock

#37. Medical assistants

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $37,870
- #63 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,250

National
- Annual mean salary: $35,720
- Employment: 712,430
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($49,880)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($48,920)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($47,140)
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NDAB Creativity // Shutterstock

#36. Massage therapists

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $41,960
- #131 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 310

National
- Annual mean salary: $47,180
- Employment: 107,240
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($76,930)
--- Yakima, WA ($72,870)
--- College Station-Bryan, TX ($70,090)
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DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock

#35. Athletic trainers

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $42,510
- #138 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60

National
- Annual mean salary: $50,540
- Employment: 28,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($73,250)
--- Lansing-East Lansing, MI ($66,390)
--- Trenton, NJ ($65,320)
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Syda Productions // Shutterstock

#34. Medical transcriptionists

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $42,770
- #27 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60

National
- Annual mean salary: $35,210
- Employment: 55,780
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($67,840)
--- Amarillo, TX ($56,970)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($54,080)
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#33. Ophthalmic medical technicians

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $43,330
- #27 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140

National
- Annual mean salary: $38,760
- Employment: 58,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Duluth, MN-WI ($56,620)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($53,770)
--- New Bedford, MA ($53,250)
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Syda Productions // Shutterstock

#32. Dental assistants

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $43,720
- #77 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 530

National
- Annual mean salary: $41,170
- Employment: 351,470
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($56,010)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($54,510)
--- Rochester, MN ($53,010)
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Gerain0812 // Shutterstock

#31. Surgical technologists

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $44,180
- #179 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120

National
- Annual mean salary: $50,110
- Employment: 109,000
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($74,280)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($72,790)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($69,750)
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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#30. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $46,720
- #169 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,080

National
- Annual mean salary: $48,500
- Employment: 697,510
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($69,490)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($68,160)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($67,990)
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Halfpoint // Shutterstock

#29. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $51,160
- #124 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140

National
- Annual mean salary: $59,600
- Employment: 56,110
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salem, OR ($106,620)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($103,050)
--- Medford, OR ($82,780)
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lenetstan // Shutterstock

#28. Radiologic technologists and technicians

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $54,930
- #230 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 620

National
- Annual mean salary: $63,120
- Employment: 207,360
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($110,180)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($109,680)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,670)
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#27. Physical therapist assistants

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $55,020
- #210 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210

National
- Annual mean salary: $58,520
- Employment: 96,840
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($78,530)
--- Victoria, TX ($78,070)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($75,470)
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#26. Occupational therapy assistants

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $57,150
- #136 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120

National
- Annual mean salary: $61,880
- Employment: 44,990
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($92,580)
--- Visalia-Porterville, CA ($83,690)
--- Reno, NV ($81,800)
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Dmytro Zinkevych // Shutterstock

#25. Respiratory therapists

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $57,590
- #153 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160

National
- Annual mean salary: $63,950
- Employment: 132,090
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($101,520)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($98,810)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($97,950)
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#24. Recreational therapists

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $58,430
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50

National
- Annual mean salary: $51,130
- Employment: 19,070
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($83,590)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($82,800)
--- Fresno, CA ($82,170)
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#23. Dietitians and nutritionists

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $60,360
- #128 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130

National
- Annual mean salary: $62,330
- Employment: 67,670
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($88,350)
--- Salinas, CA ($87,930)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($87,890)
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#22. Magnetic resonance imaging technologists

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $61,610
- #129 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $74,270
- Employment: 37,900
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($124,950)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($104,870)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($99,920)
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Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#21. Registered nurses

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $62,790
- #290 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,280

National
- Annual mean salary: $77,460
- Employment: 2,982,280
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($140,740)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($138,000)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($134,000)
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KSai23 // Shutterstock

#20. Chiropractors

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $63,260
- #125 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190

National
- Annual mean salary: $85,010
- Employment: 35,010
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Toledo, OH ($160,330)
--- Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN ($149,580)
--- Reno, NV ($140,260)
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#19. Orthotists and prosthetists

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $70,560
- #27 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40

National
- Annual mean salary: $72,810
- Employment: 9,830
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($129,500)
--- Jackson, MS ($122,740)
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($103,700)
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#18. Dental hygienists

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $74,990
- #131 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 620

National
- Annual mean salary: $77,230
- Employment: 221,560
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($140,150)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($120,420)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($113,940)
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SofikoS // Shutterstock

#17. Diagnostic medical sonographers

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $75,640
- #89 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170

National
- Annual mean salary: $75,780
- Employment: 72,790
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($126,850)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($118,880)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($115,280)
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ABO PHOTOGRAPHY // Shutterstock

#16. Occupational therapists

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $85,940
- #143 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280

National
- Annual mean salary: $86,210
- Employment: 133,570
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- The Villages, FL ($115,090)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($108,870)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($107,450)
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Aykut Erdogdu // Shutterstock

#15. Physical therapists

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $86,880
- #221 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 540

National
- Annual mean salary: $90,170
- Employment: 233,350
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Yuba City, CA ($116,360)
--- Bakersfield, CA ($116,120)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($113,950)
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#14. Speech-language pathologists

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $87,780
- #66 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 320

National
- Annual mean salary: $82,000
- Employment: 154,360
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($117,710)
--- Corvallis, OR ($105,380)
--- Chico, CA ($104,640)
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#13. Audiologists

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $98,750
- #9 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $83,900
- Employment: 13,590
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Reno, NV ($146,950)
--- Fresno, CA ($131,270)
--- Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR ($120,440)
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#12. Nurse practitioners

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $101,390
- #277 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 440

National
- Annual mean salary: $111,840
- Employment: 200,600
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($175,060)
--- Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA ($160,110)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($157,150)
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Austin Community College // Flickr

#11. Veterinarians

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $101,780
- #130 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200

National
- Annual mean salary: $104,820
- Employment: 74,540
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sherman-Denison, TX ($210,960)
--- Lubbock, TX ($176,730)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($161,230)
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Kzenon // Shutterstock

#10. Optometrists

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $103,880
- #136 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $122,980
- Employment: 39,420
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Champaign-Urbana, IL ($238,460)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($210,490)
--- Evansville, IN-KY ($183,380)
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Ohiodominican // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Physician assistants

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $104,220
- #212 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200

National
- Annual mean salary: $112,410
- Employment: 120,090
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($161,370)
--- Leominster-Gardner, MA ($156,250)
--- Waterbury, CT ($154,550)
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Grace Nichols // U.S. Air Force

#8. Pharmacists

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $108,410
- #370 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 540

National
- Annual mean salary: $125,510
- Employment: 311,200
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tyler, TX ($161,790)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($158,250)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($157,850)
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#7. General internal medicine physicians

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $184,300
- #86 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90

National
- Annual mean salary: $201,440
- Employment: 44,610
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sioux Falls, SD ($282,610)
--- Rapid City, SD ($280,990)
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($280,500)
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#6. Nurse anesthetists

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $194,850
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80

National
- Annual mean salary: $181,040
- Employment: 43,570
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Toledo, OH ($266,260)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($254,860)
--- Columbus, GA-AL ($247,540)
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#5. Dentists, general

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $219,170
- #42 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 390

National
- Annual mean salary: $178,260
- Employment: 110,730
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Burlington, NC ($278,360)
--- Burlington-South Burlington, VT ($275,430)
--- Longview, TX ($272,440)
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#4. Pediatricians, general

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $221,210
- #21 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160

National
- Annual mean salary: $184,410
- Employment: 29,740
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Rockford, IL ($277,390)
--- Killeen-Temple, TX ($273,770)
--- Chico, CA ($270,550)
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#3. Family medicine physicians

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $223,450
- #120 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 580

National
- Annual mean salary: $213,270
- Employment: 109,370
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Racine, WI ($286,030)
--- Jacksonville, NC ($282,580)
--- Gadsden, AL ($281,430)
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Unsplash

#2. Surgeons, except ophthalmologists

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $227,000
- #69 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $252,040
- Employment: 36,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Wausau, WI ($285,230)
--- Oshkosh-Neenah, WI ($285,210)
--- Asheville, NC ($284,780)
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LightField Studios // Shutterstock

#1. Psychiatrists

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $260,470
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30

National
- Annual mean salary: $220,430
- Employment: 25,530
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($282,400)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($280,270)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($280,200)

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