Childcare Worker Salary in Des Moines, IA
Childcare Workers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median $29,760 a year — 15% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $25,613 take-home, or $2,134 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Des Moines, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,391
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,845
- Medicare (1.45%)$432
- Iowa income tax$479
- Take-home pay$25,613
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.80% state
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Des Moines, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,500 | $11.30 | $20,721 | $1,727 |
| 25th percentile | $27,290 | $13.12 | $23,698 | $1,975 |
| Median (50th) | $29,760 | $14.31 | $25,613 | $2,134 |
| 75th percentile | $33,990 | $16.34 | $28,851 | $2,404 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,960 | $20.65 | $35,718 | $2,976 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $29,760 buys in Des Moines, IA
Prices in Des Moines, IA are 8.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 15% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $25,613 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,931 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Des Moines, IA has 1.3× the national concentration of childcare worker jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for childcare workers, adjusted for cost of living
Des Moines, IA ranks #94 of 171 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Port, FL | $47,300 | $40,186 | $39,237 |
| 2 | Denver, CO | $44,320 | $36,549 | $34,552 |
| 3 | Boulder, CO | $43,380 | $35,836 | $34,064 |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $45,720 | $37,504 | $33,964 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $43,710 | $37,301 | $33,564 |
| 6 | Modesto, CA | $41,920 | $34,652 | $33,284 |
| 7 | St. Cloud, MN | $34,030 | $28,521 | $32,546 |
| 8 | Las Cruces, NM | $34,270 | $29,210 | $32,379 |
| 94 | Des Moines, IA | $29,760 | $25,613 | $27,931 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 171 metros →
Childcare Worker salaries elsewhere in Iowa
- Davenport, IA — $32,300
- Iowa City, IA — $29,170
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Des Moines, IA?
The median childcare worker salary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $29,760 a year, or about $14.31 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $27,290 and $33,990.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Des Moines, IA?
On the median $29,760 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $25,613 a year ($2,134 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $479 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 15% below the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 8.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,931 would in a typical U.S. city. Des Moines, IA ranks #94 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in Des Moines, IA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Des Moines, IA is $1,092 a month ($1,302 for two bedrooms) — 51% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Des Moines, IA
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