SOC 29-1222 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Physicians, Pathologists — Des Moines
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
The median wage for Physicians, Pathologists in Des Moines, IA is $239,200 per year, 23.4% below the national median of $312,400.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Physicians, Pathologists in Des Moines, IA is $239,200 per year, 23.4% below the national median of $312,400. Pay ranges from under $239,200 at the tenth percentile to more than $239,200 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $239,200 to $239,200.
Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 9th of 508 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $239,200 | −23.4% |
| 25th | $239,200 | −23.4% |
| Median (50th) | $239,200+ | −23.4% |
| 75th | $239,200 | −23.4% |
| 90th | $239,200 | −23.4% |
| Mean | $239,200 | −23.4% |
A median marked with “+” is reported at or above the highest wage the survey publishes, so the true figure may be higher.
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 12.8% 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, 23.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $239,200 to $239,200 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- 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 Physicians, Pathologists 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 $312,400, so pay in Des Moines, IA is 23.4% 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.
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.
Explore related data