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Elementary School Teacher Salary in Des Moines, Iowa

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$55,082/ year

Median Elementary School Teacher in Des Moines, IA

$34,301
10th
$41,830
25th
$55,082
Median
$70,310
75th
$85,778
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$55,082
Total compensation (est.)
$63,344
Bonus range
$2,350 – $9,480
Mean salary
$58,387

How This Compares

Des Moines, IA median
$55,082
Iowa median
$63,128-12.7%
National median
$61,890-11.0%

Cost of living in Des Moines is 0% below the national average. Salary of $55,082 here is equivalent to $55,082 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$39,659-28.0%
3-5 years
$50,125-9.0%
6-10 years
$61,692+12.0%
10+ years
$76,013+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$48,472-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$55,082
Enterprise (5,000+)
$64,997+18.0%

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Elementary School Teacher Salaries in Nearby Cities

Cedar Rapids, IA$61,890/yr
Davenport, IA$61,890/yr

Related Jobs in Des Moines

High School Teacher$55,500/yr
Special Education Teacher$55,020/yr
School Counselor$55,403/yr
University Professor$75,098/yr
Instructional Designer$69,411/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$26/hr
Monthly gross$4,590/mo
25th percentile$41,830/yr
75th percentile$70,310/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

Iowa Unemployment

Dec 2025

3.5%

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Elementary School Teacher Salaries by City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Elementary School Teacher salary in Des Moines?

The median Elementary School Teacher salary in Des Moines is $55,082 per year, with a range from $41,830 at the 25th percentile to $70,310 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Elementary School Teacher pay in Des Moines compare to the national average?

Elementary School Teacher salaries in Des Moines are 11% below the national median of $61,890. After adjusting for Des Moines's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $55,082 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Elementary School Teacher salaries in Des Moines?

In Des Moines, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Elementary School Teacher roles start around $34,301, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $85,778 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Des Moines a good place for Elementary School Teacher jobs?

Des Moines offers a Elementary School Teacher median of $55,082, which is 11% below the US median of $61,890. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Des Moines is 0% cheaper than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Elementary School Teacher salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Elementary School Teacher in Des Moines is $70,310, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.