SOC 25-2057 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Special Education Teachers, Middle School — Des Moines
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA · 4 metro areas compared
The median wage for Special Education Teachers, Middle School in Des Moines, IA is $63,890 per year, close to the national median of $66,810 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Special Education Teachers, Middle School in Des Moines, IA is $63,890 per year, close to the national median of $66,810 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $49,200 and $64,590. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $46,250 and the ninetieth at $77,850.
Within the state, Sioux City records the highest median at $73,110. Of the 508 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 215th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,250 | −30.8% |
| 25th | $49,200 | −26.4% |
| Median (50th) | $63,890 | −4.4% |
| 75th | $64,590 | −3.3% |
| 90th | $77,850 | +16.5% |
| Mean | $61,820 | −7.5% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux City | $73,110 | 50 | |
| 2 | Cedar Rapids | $64,100 | 200 | |
| 3 | Iowa City | $62,860 | 50 | |
| 4 | Davenport | $62,820 | 140 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Des Moines run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $63,890 goes as far as $72,768 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 8.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$63,890as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$72,768US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $63,890 a year, 4.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $46,250 to $77,850 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Sioux City, at $73,110.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Special Education Teachers, Middle School in Des Moines, IA?
The median annual wage is $63,890, 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 $66,810, so pay in Des Moines, IA is 4.4% 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 $77,850 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $46,250 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 Sioux City, at $73,110 per year.
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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