Clinical and Counseling Psychologists pay range in Des Moines
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $65,300 a year or less, while the top 10% make $176,020 or more. The middle half of clinical and counseling psychologists in Des Moines earn between $74,990 and $129,970.
- $65K10th
- $75K25th
- $85KMedian
- $130K75th
- $176K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $102,810 | $8,568 | $49.43 |
| Median | $84,740 | $7,062 | $40.74 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $74,990 | $6,249 | $36.05 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $129,970 | $10,831 | $62.49 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists pay in Des Moines vs. Iowa and the U.S.
Clinical and counseling psychologists in Des Moines earn about the same as the Iowa average ($104,130) and 9% less than the U.S. average ($112,750). At the median the gap is -16% against the U.S. median of $100,580.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | $102,810 | $84,740 | $65,300 | $176,020 | n/a |
| Iowa | $104,130 | $91,690 | $64,200 | $168,660 | 440 |
| United States | $112,750 | $100,580 | $55,170 | $180,960 | 75,990 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists salary after taxes in Des Moines
On the average salary of $102,810, a single filer in Des Moines takes home about $77,862 a year, or $6,488 a month and $2,995 every two weeks. Taxes take 24% 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 clinical and counseling psychologists? 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 $102,810 buys what about $112,114 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Des Moines ($51,820). A typical home costs $296,070, or 2.9 years of this average salary before tax.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists salary in other Iowa cities
Des Moines ranks 1st of 4 Iowa metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Des Moines$102,810
- Cedar Rapids$102,670
- Iowa City$93,650
- Davenport$85,470
Highest-paying cities for clinical and counseling psychologists
San Luis Obispo, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($166,470).
- San Luis Obispo, CA$166,470
- San Francisco, CA$153,490
- Green Bay, WI$150,150
- Hanford, CA$147,510
- Salem, OR$144,240
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists salary in Des Moines: questions
How much do clinical and counseling psychologists make an hour in Des Moines?
$49.43 an hour on average, and $40.74 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists salary in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $65,300 a year and the 25th percentile is $74,990, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the clinical and counseling psychologists take-home pay in Des Moines?
About $77,862 a year ($6,488 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $102,810. Iowa school district surtaxes (a percentage of state tax in some districts) are not included.
Do clinical and counseling psychologists earn more in Des Moines than elsewhere?
The average here is 9% less than the U.S. average for this job ($112,750).
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 19-3033; area Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA (19780). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 6.0%.
- 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.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.