Nursing Assistant Salary in Des Moines, IA
Nursing Assistants in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median $43,940 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $36,468 take-home, or $3,039 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median nursing assistant salary in Des Moines, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,093
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,724
- Medicare (1.45%)$637
- Iowa income tax$1,018
- Take-home pay$36,468
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.80% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Nursing Assistant pay by experience in Des Moines, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,420 | $17.03 | $29,946 | $2,495 |
| 25th percentile | $37,280 | $17.92 | $31,370 | $2,614 |
| Median (50th) | $43,940 | $21.13 | $36,468 | $3,039 |
| 75th percentile | $46,300 | $22.26 | $38,274 | $3,190 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,630 | $24.34 | $41,589 | $3,466 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $43,940 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 nursing assistant's $36,468 take-home pay has the buying power of $39,768 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 1.2× the national concentration of nursing assistant jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for nursing assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Des Moines, IA ranks #3 of 113 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $56,840 | $45,652 | $41,343 |
| 2 | Spokane, WA | $47,240 | $40,137 | $39,999 |
| 3 | Des Moines, IA | $43,940 | $36,468 | $39,768 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $51,990 | $43,954 | $39,551 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $56,080 | $45,097 | $39,007 |
| 6 | Milwaukee, WI | $45,690 | $37,663 | $38,853 |
| 7 | Scranton, PA | $43,980 | $36,168 | $38,659 |
| 8 | Las Vegas, NV | $45,350 | $38,619 | $38,536 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 113 metros →
About the job: nursing assistants
Provide or assist with basic care or support under the direction of onsite licensed nursing staff. Perform duties such as monitoring of health status, feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, or ambulation of patients in a health or nursing facility. May include medication administration and other health-related tasks.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.6% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Des Moines, IA?
The median nursing assistant salary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $43,940 a year, or about $21.13 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $37,280 and $46,300.
What is a nursing assistant’s take-home pay in Des Moines, IA?
On the median $43,940 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $36,468 a year ($3,039 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,018 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a nursing assistant?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $42,260. Local prices are 8.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $39,768 would in a typical U.S. city. Des Moines, IA ranks #3 of 113 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a nursing assistant 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) — 36% of a median nursing assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Des Moines, IA
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $36,350