Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary Salary in Des Moines, IA
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median $34,620 a year — 6% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,333 take-home, or $2,444 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median teaching assistants, except postsecondary salary in Des Moines, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,974
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,146
- Medicare (1.45%)$502
- Iowa income tax$664
- Take-home pay$29,333
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.80% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary pay by experience in Des Moines, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,740 | $11.41 | $20,910 | $1,742 |
| 25th percentile | $29,470 | $14.17 | $25,391 | $2,116 |
| Median (50th) | $34,620 | $16.64 | $29,333 | $2,444 |
| 75th percentile | $37,110 | $17.84 | $31,240 | $2,603 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,340 | $18.43 | $32,181 | $2,682 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,620 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 teaching assistants, except postsecondary's $29,333 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,988 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 1.4× the national concentration of teaching assistants, except postsecondary jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for teaching assistants, except postsecondary, adjusted for cost of living
Des Moines, IA ranks #36 of 94 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $53,950 | $45,529 | $40,968 |
| 2 | Kennewick, WA | $45,510 | $38,747 | $38,717 |
| 3 | Portland, ME | $48,770 | $39,256 | $38,540 |
| 4 | Modesto, CA | $47,990 | $39,187 | $37,641 |
| 5 | Visalia, CA | $45,230 | $37,136 | $37,201 |
| 6 | Fresno, CA | $45,340 | $37,218 | $36,432 |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $49,010 | $39,932 | $36,163 |
| 8 | Riverside, CA | $46,330 | $37,961 | $35,664 |
| 36 | Des Moines, IA | $34,620 | $29,333 | $31,988 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 94 metros →
About the job: teaching assistants, except postsecondary
- Typical education
- Some college, no degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -0.3% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a teaching assistants, except postsecondary make in Des Moines, IA?
The median teaching assistants, except postsecondary salary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $34,620 a year, or about $16.64 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $29,470 and $37,110.
What is a teaching assistants, except postsecondary’s take-home pay in Des Moines, IA?
On the median $34,620 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $29,333 a year ($2,444 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $664 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a teaching assistants, except postsecondary?
Pay here is 6% below the national median of $36,780. Local prices are 8.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,988 would in a typical U.S. city. Des Moines, IA ranks #36 of 94 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a teaching assistants, except postsecondary 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) — 45% of a median teaching assistants, except postsecondary’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.