SOC 25-2059 · Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro

Special Education Teachers, All Other Salary in Des Moines, IA

The average salary for other special education teachers in Des Moines, Iowa is $70,000 a year, according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $73,110: half of the 40 people in this job in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 12% less than the U.S. average for this job ($79,750).

$70,000average per year

Median $73,110Take-home ≈ $56,027

  • $47K10th
  • $61K25th
  • $73KMedian
  • $84K75th
  • $92K90th

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

40people in this job
-12%vs U.S. average
92cost of living (U.S. = 100)
Advertisement

Special Education Teachers, All Other pay range in Des Moines

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $47,300 a year or less, while the top 10% make $91,850 or more. The middle half of other special education teachers in Des Moines earn between $60,670 and $84,300.

  • $47K10th
  • $61K25th
  • $73KMedian
  • $84K75th
  • $92K90th

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

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$70,000$5,833—
Median$73,110$6,092—
Entry level (25th percentile)$60,670$5,056—
Experienced (75th percentile)$84,300$7,025—

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

Special Education Teachers, All Other pay in Des Moines vs. Iowa and the U.S.

Other special education teachers in Des Moines earn 4% more than the Iowa average ($67,400) and 12% less than the U.S. average ($79,750). At the median the gap is -5% against the U.S. median of $76,580.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Des Moines$70,000$73,110$47,300$91,85040
Iowa$67,400$71,050$36,390$90,870340
United States$79,750$76,580$48,440$120,08033,930

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

Special Education Teachers, All Other salary after taxes in Des Moines

On the average salary of $70,000, a single filer in Des Moines takes home about $56,027 a year, or $4,669 a month and $2,155 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

Advertisement

Is Des Moines a good place for other special education teachers? 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 $70,000 buys what about $76,335 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 $70,000 is worth in another city

Special Education Teachers, All Other salary in nearby metro areas

Highest-paying cities for other special education teachers

Vallejo, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($108,010).

Special Education Teachers, All Other salary by city

Advertisement

Does this match what you are paid?

Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.

Share your pay anonymously

Reviewed before it counts. Special Education Teachers, All Other in Des Moines, IA.

Special Education Teachers, All Other salary in Des Moines: questions

What is the entry-level other special education teachers salary in Des Moines?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $47,300 a year and the 25th percentile is $60,670, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the other special education teachers take-home pay in Des Moines?

About $56,027 a year ($4,669 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $70,000. Iowa school district surtaxes (a percentage of state tax in some districts) are not included.

Do other special education teachers earn more in Des Moines than elsewhere?

The average here is 12% less than the U.S. average for this job ($79,750).

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 25-2059; area Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA (19780). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.9%.
  • 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 0.46, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.46).

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