SOC 29-1211 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Anesthesiologists — Des Moines
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA · 3 metro areas compared
Median pay in Des Moines, IA is $239,200 a year, 38.9% under the national median of $391,490 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in Des Moines, IA is $239,200 a year, 38.9% under the national median of $391,490 for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $239,200 and $239,200. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $239,200 and the ninetieth at $239,200.
The area has 190 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.5 of every thousand jobs. Iowa City leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $407,230. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 8th of 508 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $239,200 | −38.9% |
| 25th | $239,200 | −38.9% |
| Median (50th) | $239,200+ | −38.9% |
| 75th | $239,200 | −38.9% |
| 90th | $239,200 | −38.9% |
| Mean | $239,200 | −38.9% |
A median marked with “+” is reported at or above the highest wage the survey publishes, so the true figure may be higher.
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa City | $407,230 | 40 | |
| 2 | Cedar Rapids | $239,200 | 50 | |
| 3 | Waterloo | $239,200 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Des Moines run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $239,200 goes as far as $272,437 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 30.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$239,200as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$272,437US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $239,200 a year, 38.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $239,200 to $239,200 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 190 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Iowa City, at $407,230.
- The median is reported at or above the ceiling the survey publishes, so the true figure may be higher.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Anesthesiologists in Des Moines, IA?
The median annual wage is $239,200, or $115.00 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $391,490, so pay in Des Moines, IA is 38.9% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Des Moines, IA earns more than $239,200 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $239,200 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Iowa City, at $407,230 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 190 jobs in this occupation in Des Moines, IA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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