Highest and lowest paying education jobs in Des Moines

Written by:
March 6, 2021
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

Highest and lowest paying education jobs in Des Moines

Whether you picture hard-working teachers buying school supplies for their students or genius professors shaping future leaders, it’s fair to say education encompasses a wide variety of jobs. So much so that there’s room to specialize and pursue your passion.

Historically, teachers’ pay is a rather contentious topic. The median annual salary across all teaching professions is $57,949—about $3,000 below the median annual salary of all working professionals with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Despite this, many of these jobs are rewarding in more ways than one. In other words, education can be very lucrative—particularly within specialty fields.

Stacker compiled a list of the highest- and lowest-paying education 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 discover the highest- and lowest-paying education jobs in your city.

1 / 27
Paul.J.West // Shutterstock

#27. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $26,380
- #202 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,260

National
- Annual mean salary: $29,640
- Employment: 1,346,910
- Entry level education requirements: Some college, no degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($41,810)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($41,430)
--- New Bedford, MA ($41,360)
2 / 27
CHRISTOF STACHE // Getty Images

#26. Preschool teachers, except special education

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $26,410
- #320 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,820

National
- Annual mean salary: $34,650
- Employment: 431,350
- Entry level education requirements: Associate’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ ($55,430)
--- Laredo, TX ($50,350)
--- Waterbury, CT ($49,840)
3 / 27
Unsplash

#25. Library technicians

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $32,580
- #175 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 220

National
- Annual mean salary: $36,950
- Employment: 88,720
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($58,980)
--- Iowa City, IA ($54,140)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($52,650)
4 / 27
Education Images // Getty Images

#24. Substitute teachers, short-term

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $32,630
- #106 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,070

National
- Annual mean salary: $32,460
- Employment: 587,120
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salisbury, MD-DE ($58,740)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($53,870)
--- Salinas, CA ($49,790)
5 / 27
Brian S. Hagberg // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Self-enrichment teachers

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $34,390
- #245 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 740

National
- Annual mean salary: $46,120
- Employment: 252,780
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($65,570)
--- Warner Robins, GA ($65,340)
--- Fairbanks, AK ($64,710)
6 / 27
Iam_Anupong // Shutterstock

#22. Kindergarten teachers, except special education

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $52,070
- #168 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280

National
- Annual mean salary: $60,210
- Employment: 124,290
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Merced, CA ($97,220)
--- Modesto, CA ($91,230)
--- Kingston, NY ($89,850)
7 / 27
GaudiLab // Shutterstock

#21. Librarians and media collections specialists

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $55,170
- #205 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 290

National
- Annual mean salary: $61,920
- Employment: 135,690
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($89,880)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($89,390)
--- Merced, CA ($87,800)
8 / 27
Lopolo // Shutterstock

#20. Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $55,790
- #178 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,980

National
- Annual mean salary: $63,550
- Employment: 622,330
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kingston, NY ($91,610)
--- Bakersfield, CA ($91,350)
--- El Centro, CA ($89,610)
9 / 27
DGLimages // Shutterstock

#19. Special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $56,860
- #152 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 460

National
- Annual mean salary: $64,420
- Employment: 193,830
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Merced, CA ($93,990)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($92,040)
--- Fresno, CA ($89,480)
10 / 27
The Boston Globe // Getty Images

#18. Elementary school teachers, except special education

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $58,330
- #181 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,720

National
- Annual mean salary: $63,930
- Employment: 1,430,480
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kingston, NY ($92,090)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($90,270)
--- Merced, CA ($89,910)
11 / 27
StockphotoVideo // Shutterstock

#17. Museum technicians and conservators

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $60,070
- #5 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40

National
- Annual mean salary: $48,030
- Employment: 13,190
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($68,320)
--- New Haven, CT ($63,900)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($63,240)
12 / 27
B Brown // Shutterstock

#16. Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $60,470
- #143 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,830

National
- Annual mean salary: $65,930
- Employment: 1,035,850
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bakersfield, CA ($97,680)
--- Fresno, CA ($93,410)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($93,350)
13 / 27
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#15. Adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructors

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $62,330
- #27 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $58,980
- Employment: 51,950
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($94,920)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($92,360)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($90,000)
14 / 27
Irina.stelea // Wikimedia Commons

#14. History teachers, postsecondary

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $65,820
- #72 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40

National
- Annual mean salary: $84,210
- Employment: 21,030
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fresno, CA ($144,240)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($127,460)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($114,750)
15 / 27
Canva

#13. Special education teachers, middle school

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $65,870
- #55 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230

National
- Annual mean salary: $65,740
- Employment: 85,840
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Worcester, MA-CT ($86,410)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($85,440)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($85,340)
16 / 27
Photographee.eu // Shutterstock

#12. Special education teachers, secondary school

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $66,230
- #73 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 270

National
- Annual mean salary: $65,710
- Employment: 143,170
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($98,500)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($93,280)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($93,110)
17 / 27
University of the Fraser Valley // flickr

#11. Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $66,530
- #61 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70

National
- Annual mean salary: $88,970
- Employment: 23,490
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($155,290)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($134,000)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($133,610)
18 / 27
Florida Fish and Wildlife // flickr

#10. Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $66,760
- #34 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40

National
- Annual mean salary: $72,980
- Employment: 14,070
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fresno, CA ($141,190)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($138,130)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($102,150)
19 / 27
industryviews // Shutterstock

#9. Career/technical education teachers, secondary school

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $67,100
- #65 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110

National
- Annual mean salary: $64,800
- Employment: 74,520
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fresno, CA ($102,780)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($87,500)
--- New Haven, CT ($85,740)
20 / 27
Pressmaster // Shutterstock

#8. Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $67,820
- #71 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180

National
- Annual mean salary: $83,220
- Employment: 94,060
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($119,250)
--- Rochester, NY ($114,810)
--- Provo-Orem, UT ($112,520)
21 / 27
Simon Fraser Universtiy // flickr

#7. Instructional coordinators

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $72,200
- #81 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 880

National
- Annual mean salary: $69,180
- Employment: 176,690
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Jackson, MI ($117,990)
--- New Haven, CT ($111,750)
--- Warner Robins, GA ($103,980)
22 / 27
Fae // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Psychology teachers, postsecondary

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $73,090
- #79 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90

National
- Annual mean salary: $87,530
- Employment: 37,480
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($129,120)
--- Bakersfield, CA ($128,700)
--- Fresno, CA ($127,520)
23 / 27
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#5. Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $75,570
- #66 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90

National
- Annual mean salary: $86,330
- Employment: 51,150
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($143,390)
--- Fresno, CA ($127,330)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($124,750)
24 / 27
industryviews // Shutterstock

#4. Career/technical education teachers, postsecondary

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $77,630
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 440

National
- Annual mean salary: $60,420
- Employment: 112,210
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($92,930)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($90,500)
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($89,100)
25 / 27
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#3. Biological science teachers, postsecondary

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $77,730
- #79 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90

National
- Annual mean salary: $98,700
- Employment: 53,090
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($143,420)
--- Salt Lake City, UT ($142,610)
--- Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI ($140,810)
26 / 27
Matej Kastelic // Shutterstock

#2. Business teachers, postsecondary

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $87,250
- #82 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210

National
- Annual mean salary: $105,440
- Employment: 83,920
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- College Station-Bryan, TX ($177,360)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($154,210)
--- Tuscaloosa, AL ($141,870)
27 / 27
Simon Fraser Universtiy // flickr

#1. Communications teachers, postsecondary

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $92,340
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90

National
- Annual mean salary: $79,830
- Employment: 29,120
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($139,590)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($128,640)
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($124,400)

Trending Now