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Highest and lowest paying education jobs in Des Moines
Whether you picture hard-working teachers buying school supplies for their students or genius professors shaping future leaders, it's fair to say education encompasses a wide variety of jobs. So much so that there's room to specialize and pursue your passion.
Historically, teachers' pay is a rather contentious topic. The average teacher salary is about $2,000 less than a decade ago after adjusting for inflation. Despite this, many of these jobs are rewarding in more ways than one. In other words, education can be very lucrative—particularly within specialty fields.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest and lowest paying education jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2021 annual mean wage. Keep reading to discover the highest and lowest paying education jobs in your city.
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#27. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $28,350
- #262 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,500
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,760
- Employment: 1,187,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($46,390)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($45,080)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($42,820)
- Annual mean salary: $28,350
- #262 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,500
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,760
- Employment: 1,187,270
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($46,390)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($45,080)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($42,820)
#26. Preschool teachers, except special education
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $29,480
- #408 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,500
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,460
- Employment: 391,670
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($49,990)
--- Ocean City, NJ ($49,720)
--- Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ ($49,560)
- Annual mean salary: $29,480
- #408 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,500
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,460
- Employment: 391,670
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($49,990)
--- Ocean City, NJ ($49,720)
--- Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ ($49,560)
#25. Substitute teachers, short-term
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $36,820
- #144 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,270
National
- Annual mean salary: $38,410
- Employment: 374,620
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Prescott, AZ ($64,310)
--- Appleton, WI ($63,310)
--- Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL ($58,770)
- Annual mean salary: $36,820
- #144 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,270
National
- Annual mean salary: $38,410
- Employment: 374,620
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Prescott, AZ ($64,310)
--- Appleton, WI ($63,310)
--- Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL ($58,770)
#24. Self-enrichment teachers
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $38,840
- #265 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 670
National
- Annual mean salary: $49,230
- Employment: 216,910
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($70,350)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($66,650)
--- Utica-Rome, NY ($63,470)
- Annual mean salary: $38,840
- #265 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 670
National
- Annual mean salary: $49,230
- Employment: 216,910
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($70,350)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($66,650)
--- Utica-Rome, NY ($63,470)
#23. Tutors
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $40,930
- #105 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $41,780
- Employment: 147,100
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Pittsfield, MA ($82,910)
--- Santa Fe, NM ($68,440)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($60,110)
- Annual mean salary: $40,930
- #105 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $41,780
- Employment: 147,100
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Pittsfield, MA ($82,910)
--- Santa Fe, NM ($68,440)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($60,110)
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#22. Library technicians
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $42,130
- #72 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
National
- Annual mean salary: $39,070
- Employment: 73,000
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Olympia-Tumwater, WA ($61,740)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($59,950)
--- Napa, CA ($57,890)
- Annual mean salary: $42,130
- #72 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
National
- Annual mean salary: $39,070
- Employment: 73,000
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Olympia-Tumwater, WA ($61,740)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($59,950)
--- Napa, CA ($57,890)
#21. History teachers, postsecondary
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $55,330
- #94 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $86,460
- Employment: 18,590
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($148,420)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($129,020)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($126,560)
- Annual mean salary: $55,330
- #94 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $86,460
- Employment: 18,590
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($148,420)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($129,020)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($126,560)
#20. Elementary school teachers, except special education
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $57,700
- #266 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,380
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,080
- Employment: 1,329,280
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($92,860)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($91,430)
--- Salinas, CA ($91,280)
- Annual mean salary: $57,700
- #266 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,380
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,080
- Employment: 1,329,280
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($92,860)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($91,430)
--- Salinas, CA ($91,280)
#19. Kindergarten teachers, except special education
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $57,780
- #168 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250
National
- Annual mean salary: $64,490
- Employment: 120,730
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($95,420)
--- Kingston, NY ($92,160)
--- Salinas, CA ($90,490)
- Annual mean salary: $57,780
- #168 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250
National
- Annual mean salary: $64,490
- Employment: 120,730
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($95,420)
--- Kingston, NY ($92,160)
--- Salinas, CA ($90,490)
#18. Education teachers, postsecondary
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $59,600
- #145 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,990
- Employment: 58,780
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($119,140)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($112,130)
--- Salt Lake City, UT ($110,160)
- Annual mean salary: $59,600
- #145 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
National
- Annual mean salary: $76,990
- Employment: 58,780
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($119,140)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($112,130)
--- Salt Lake City, UT ($110,160)
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#17. Librarians and media collections specialists
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $59,950
- #157 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280
National
- Annual mean salary: $64,180
- Employment: 127,790
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($94,230)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($89,990)
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($89,220)
- Annual mean salary: $59,950
- #157 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280
National
- Annual mean salary: $64,180
- Employment: 127,790
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($94,230)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($89,990)
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($89,220)
#16. Special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $60,680
- #168 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 410
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,090
- Employment: 187,070
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($102,210)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($92,730)
--- Chico, CA ($88,430)
- Annual mean salary: $60,680
- #168 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 410
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,090
- Employment: 187,070
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($102,210)
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($92,730)
--- Chico, CA ($88,430)
#15. Career/technical education teachers, middle school
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $61,690
- #36 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $69,410
- Employment: 11,840
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fresno, CA ($139,720)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($97,750)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($93,790)
- Annual mean salary: $61,690
- #36 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $69,410
- Employment: 11,840
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fresno, CA ($139,720)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($97,750)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($93,790)
#14. Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $62,520
- #169 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,550
National
- Annual mean salary: $66,880
- Employment: 592,000
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bakersfield, CA ($109,060)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($107,280)
--- Yuba City, CA ($94,480)
- Annual mean salary: $62,520
- #169 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,550
National
- Annual mean salary: $66,880
- Employment: 592,000
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bakersfield, CA ($109,060)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($107,280)
--- Yuba City, CA ($94,480)
#13. Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $62,880
- #189 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,170
National
- Annual mean salary: $69,530
- Employment: 1,020,240
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($104,010)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($101,980)
--- Bakersfield, CA ($97,490)
- Annual mean salary: $62,880
- #189 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,170
National
- Annual mean salary: $69,530
- Employment: 1,020,240
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($104,010)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($101,980)
--- Bakersfield, CA ($97,490)
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#12. Career/technical education teachers, secondary school
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $65,310
- #113 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $68,960
- Employment: 84,360
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($122,160)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($121,490)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($115,060)
- Annual mean salary: $65,310
- #113 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $68,960
- Employment: 84,360
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($122,160)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($121,490)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($115,060)
#11. Special education teachers, middle school
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $66,830
- #81 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250
National
- Annual mean salary: $68,860
- Employment: 79,070
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($117,940)
--- Worcester, MA-CT ($94,630)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($94,140)
- Annual mean salary: $66,830
- #81 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250
National
- Annual mean salary: $68,860
- Employment: 79,070
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($117,940)
--- Worcester, MA-CT ($94,630)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($94,140)
#10. Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $67,890
- #70 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $88,260
- Employment: 20,850
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($147,650)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($129,190)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($127,730)
- Annual mean salary: $67,890
- #70 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $88,260
- Employment: 20,850
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($147,650)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($129,190)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($127,730)
#9. Special education teachers, secondary school
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $68,000
- #92 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 370
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,100
- Employment: 145,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($110,320)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($106,590)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($103,540)
- Annual mean salary: $68,000
- #92 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 370
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,100
- Employment: 145,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA ($110,320)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($106,590)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($103,540)
#8. Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $69,840
- #37 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,730
- Employment: 13,790
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($161,540)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($152,830)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($132,020)
- Annual mean salary: $69,840
- #37 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $81,730
- Employment: 13,790
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($161,540)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($152,830)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($132,020)
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#7. Psychology teachers, postsecondary
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $78,290
- #91 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $88,390
- Employment: 36,060
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($141,130)
--- Iowa City, IA ($131,770)
--- Ann Arbor, MI ($117,020)
- Annual mean salary: $78,290
- #91 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $88,390
- Employment: 36,060
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($141,130)
--- Iowa City, IA ($131,770)
--- Ann Arbor, MI ($117,020)
#6. Instructional coordinators
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $79,120
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 750
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,560
- Employment: 184,740
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salem, OR ($93,890)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($93,760)
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($91,430)
- Annual mean salary: $79,120
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 750
National
- Annual mean salary: $70,560
- Employment: 184,740
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salem, OR ($93,890)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($93,760)
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($91,430)
#5. Chemistry teachers, postsecondary
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $79,540
- #66 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $94,060
- Employment: 20,260
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($140,550)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($136,870)
--- Salt Lake City, UT ($135,160)
- Annual mean salary: $79,540
- #66 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $94,060
- Employment: 20,260
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($140,550)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($136,870)
--- Salt Lake City, UT ($135,160)
#4. Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $81,480
- #61 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $82,040
- Employment: 68,060
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Visalia-Porterville, CA ($146,700)
--- Charlottesville, VA ($109,450)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($109,310)
- Annual mean salary: $81,480
- #61 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $82,040
- Employment: 68,060
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Visalia-Porterville, CA ($146,700)
--- Charlottesville, VA ($109,450)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($109,310)
#3. English language and literature teachers, postsecondary
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $82,120
- #34 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $82,680
- Employment: 58,480
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Visalia-Porterville, CA ($162,660)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($145,980)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($132,320)
- Annual mean salary: $82,120
- #34 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $82,680
- Employment: 58,480
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Visalia-Porterville, CA ($162,660)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($145,980)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($132,320)
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#2. Biological science teachers, postsecondary
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $87,280
- #75 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $98,710
- Employment: 47,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR ($181,560)
--- Visalia-Porterville, CA ($166,470)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($152,140)
- Annual mean salary: $87,280
- #75 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $98,710
- Employment: 47,690
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR ($181,560)
--- Visalia-Porterville, CA ($166,470)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($152,140)
#1. Career/technical education teachers, postsecondary
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Annual mean salary: $90,780
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 290
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,130
- Employment: 105,440
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($116,850)
--- Champaign-Urbana, IL ($97,110)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($95,200)
- Annual mean salary: $90,780
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 290
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,130
- Employment: 105,440
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($116,850)
--- Champaign-Urbana, IL ($97,110)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($95,200)
