Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary pay range in Des Moines
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $50,110 a year or less, while the top 10% make $104,380 or more. The middle half of biological science teachers, postsecondary in Des Moines earn between $60,770 and $81,480.
- $50K10th
- $61K25th
- $75KMedian
- $81K75th
- $104K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $81,470 | $6,789 | — |
| Median | $75,180 | $6,265 | — |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $60,770 | $5,064 | — |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $81,480 | $6,790 | — |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year (BLS publishes this job's pay as annual only). Hourly to annual salary.
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary pay in Des Moines vs. Iowa and the U.S.
Biological science teachers, postsecondary in Des Moines earn 19% less than the Iowa average ($100,360) and 21% less than the U.S. average ($102,840). At the median the gap is -11% against the U.S. median of $84,620.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | $81,470 | $75,180 | $50,110 | $104,380 | 60 |
| Iowa | $100,360 | $78,060 | $59,130 | $167,300 | 540 |
| United States | $102,840 | $84,620 | $52,150 | $169,900 | 50,190 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary after taxes in Des Moines
On the average salary of $81,470, a single filer in Des Moines takes home about $63,660 a year, or $5,305 a month and $2,448 every two weeks. Taxes take 22% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Iowa school district surtaxes (a percentage of state tax in some districts) are not included.
Is Des Moines a good place for biological science teachers, postsecondary? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Des Moines area are 8% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 91.7), so the average $81,470 buys what about $88,843 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Des Moines ($51,820). A typical home costs $296,070, or 3.6 years of this average salary before tax.
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary in other Iowa cities
Des Moines ranks 2nd of 3 Iowa metro areas for this job; Davenport pays the most ($92,970).
- Davenport$92,970
- Des Moines$81,470
- Cedar Rapids$73,750
All Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary salaries in Iowa
Highest-paying cities for biological science teachers, postsecondary
San Diego, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($182,570).
- San Diego, CA$182,570
- San Jose, CA$164,630
- Riverside, CA$156,420
- San Francisco, CA$155,150
- Boston, MA$149,570
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Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary in Des Moines: questions
What is the entry-level biological science teachers, postsecondary salary in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $50,110 a year and the 25th percentile is $60,770, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the biological science teachers, postsecondary take-home pay in Des Moines?
About $63,660 a year ($5,305 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $81,470. Iowa school district surtaxes (a percentage of state tax in some districts) are not included.
Do biological science teachers, postsecondary earn more in Des Moines than elsewhere?
The average here is 21% less than the U.S. average for this job ($102,840).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 25-1042; area Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA (19780). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.0%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Iowa school district surtaxes (a percentage of state tax in some districts) are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.44, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.44).
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