Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
In Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, biological science teachers, postsecondaries earn $61,550 at the median — $null an hour. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $81K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.7), which stretches that salary to about $67,121 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,318/month — about 32.6% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $62K get you in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Des Moines-West Des Moines’s Regional Price Parity (91.7). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About biological science teachers, postsecondaries
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Entry-level biological science teachers, postsecondaries (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $62K. Top earners bring in $81K or more, a $31K spread from bottom to top.
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $126K | +51% | 3,670 |
| Alaska | $107K | +28% | 60 |
| Utah | $104K | +24% | 610 |
| Rhode Island | $102K | +22% | 240 |
| New Jersey | $101K | +21% | 1,330 |
| New York | $100K | +20% | 3,900 |
| Michigan | $100K | +20% | 1,520 |
| Montana | $98K | +17% | 160 |
| Oregon | $98K | +17% | 590 |
| New Hampshire | $86K | +3% | 210 |
| Connecticut | $85K | +2% | 730 |
| North Dakota | $85K | +2% | 170 |
| District of Columbia | $85K | +1% | 340 |
| Minnesota | $84K | +1% | 800 |
| Nebraska | $84K | +1% | 460 |
| Texas | $84K | +0% | 4,240 |
| Florida | $84K | +0% | 3,090 |
| Illinois | $84K | +0% | 1,700 |
| Massachusetts | $84K | +0% | N/A |
| Missouri | $83K | -0% | 1,120 |
| Indiana | $82K | -1% | 1,080 |
| Pennsylvania | $82K | -2% | 2,570 |
| Wisconsin | $82K | -2% | 830 |
| New Mexico | $82K | -2% | 180 |
| Maryland | $82K | -2% | 990 |
| Georgia | $82K | -2% | 1,080 |
| Maine | $81K | -3% | 320 |
| Idaho | $81K | -3% | 240 |
| Washington | $81K | -3% | 910 |
| Vermont | $81K | -3% | 200 |
| Louisiana | $81K | -3% | 270 |
| Tennessee | $80K | -4% | 970 |
| Kansas | $80K | -4% | 420 |
| Nevada | $80K | -4% | 340 |
| Delaware | $80K | -4% | 140 |
| Wyoming | $80K | -4% | 140 |
| South Dakota | $79K | -5% | 140 |
| North Carolina | $79K | -5% | 1,970 |
| South Carolina | $79K | -6% | 830 |
| Iowa | $78K | -6% | 580 |
| Virginia | $78K | -7% | 1,890 |
| Alabama | $78K | -7% | 1,170 |
| Arizona | $78K | -7% | 2,520 |
| West Virginia | $77K | -8% | 250 |
| Hawaii | $76K | -9% | N/A |
| Ohio | $75K | -10% | 1,350 |
| Kentucky | $67K | -20% | 490 |
| Mississippi | $67K | -20% | 520 |
| Arkansas | $65K | -23% | 370 |
| Oklahoma | $64K | -23% | 450 |
Showing 1–10 of 50 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track biological science teachers, postsecondary salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Des Moines-West Des Moines numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do biological science teachers, postsecondaries make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median is $61,550 a year, that works out to about $0 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $50,530, and experienced biological science teachers, postsecondaries can clear $81,280. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $62K enough to live in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,034/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,318/month, which eats 32.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a biological science teachers, postsecondary salary go in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
Des Moines-West Des Moines has a Regional Price Parity of 91.7 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median biological science teachers, postsecondary salary is worth about $67,121 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do biological science teachers, postsecondaries get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.