SOC 25-1126 · Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro

Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in Des Moines, IA

The average salary for philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary in Des Moines, Iowa is $71,260 a year, according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $73,760: half of the 30 people in this job in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 23% less than the U.S. average for this job ($92,040).

$71,260average per year

Median $73,760Take-home ≈ $56,865

  • $36K10th
  • $51K25th
  • $74KMedian
  • $79K75th
  • $125K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

30people in this job
-23%vs U.S. average
#1 of 2Iowa metros
92cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary pay range in Des Moines

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,490 a year or less, while the top 10% make $125,040 or more. The middle half of philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary in Des Moines earn between $50,920 and $79,140.

  • $36K10th
  • $51K25th
  • $74KMedian
  • $79K75th
  • $125K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$71,260$5,938—
Median$73,760$6,147—
Entry level (25th percentile)$50,920$4,243—
Experienced (75th percentile)$79,140$6,595—

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year (BLS publishes this job's pay as annual only). Hourly to annual salary.

Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary pay in Des Moines vs. Iowa and the U.S.

Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary in Des Moines earn 14% less than the Iowa average ($82,740) and 23% less than the U.S. average ($92,040). At the median the gap is -8% against the U.S. median of $80,260.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Des Moines$71,260$73,760$36,490$125,04030
Iowa$82,740$77,180$47,540$126,550260
United States$92,040$80,260$49,140$139,58020,460

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary salary after taxes in Des Moines

On the average salary of $71,260, a single filer in Des Moines takes home about $56,865 a year, or $4,739 a month and $2,187 every two weeks. Taxes take 20% 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.

Iowa paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Des Moines a good place for philosophy and religion 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 $71,260 buys what about $77,709 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.4 times the median wage of all jobs in Des Moines ($51,820). A typical home costs $296,070, or 4.2 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $71,260 is worth in another city

Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary salary in other Iowa cities

Des Moines ranks 1st of 2 Iowa metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.

All Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary salaries in Iowa

Highest-paying cities for philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary

Riverside, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($139,950).

Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary salary by city

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Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary salary in Des Moines: questions

What is the entry-level philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary salary in Des Moines?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,490 a year and the 25th percentile is $50,920, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary take-home pay in Des Moines?

About $56,865 a year ($4,739 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $71,260. Iowa school district surtaxes (a percentage of state tax in some districts) are not included.

Do philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary earn more in Des Moines than elsewhere?

The average here is 23% less than the U.S. average for this job ($92,040).

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 25-1126; 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.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 0.66, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.66).

Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.