Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
In Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, teaching assistants, except postsecondarys earn $33,280 at the median. The range runs from $22K at the entry level to $37K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.7), which stretches that salary to about $36,292 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,318/month — about 58.1% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $33K get you in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
About teaching assistants, except postsecondarys
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Entry-level teaching assistants, except postsecondarys (10th percentile) start around $22K. Mid-career wages sit at $33K.Top earners bring in $37K or more - a $15K spread from bottom to top.
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $47K | +34% | 41,650 |
| California | $45K | +29% | 160,960 |
| District of Columbia | $45K | +27% | 3,280 |
| Maine | $44K | +24% | 9,000 |
| Minnesota | $38K | +8% | 37,410 |
| Massachusetts | $38K | +8% | 37,750 |
| New Hampshire | $37K | +6% | 7,180 |
| Connecticut | $37K | +5% | 20,920 |
| Vermont | $37K | +5% | 5,470 |
| North Dakota | $37K | +4% | 5,550 |
| Delaware | $37K | +4% | 4,390 |
| Virginia | $37K | +4% | 34,460 |
| New York | $37K | +4% | 134,590 |
| Oregon | $37K | +4% | 22,330 |
| Wisconsin | $36K | +2% | 25,790 |
Track teaching assistants, except postsecondary salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Des Moines-West Des Moines numbers change.
Related careers in Education
Frequently asked questions
How much do teaching assistants, except postsecondarys make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median is $33,280 a year. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $22,420, and experienced teaching assistants, except postsecondarys can clear $36,990. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $33K enough to live in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,276/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,318/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 57.9% 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 teaching assistants, except 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 teaching assistants, except postsecondary salary is worth about $36,292 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do teaching assistants, except postsecondarys 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.