Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA area earn an average annual salary of $58,540. This figure is slightly below the national average of $60,890, indicating a localized compensation structure influenced by regional economic factors and the specific demand within the Iowa education sector. The cost of living in Des Moines-West Des Moines aligns perfectly with the national average, suggesting that the nominal salary offers a comparable purchasing power to other areas across the country.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $58,540 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 2.0% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $77,890.
- Outlook: The Des Moines-West Des Moines area employs 1,180 Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. With a Location Quotient of 0.72, the concentration of these roles is slightly below the national average, suggesting a stable but not exceptionally high demand relative to the national landscape. The presence of nearly 3 jobs per 1,000 workers indicates a consistent need for educators in this field within the local workforce.
Salary Overview
The average Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA earns-3.9%below the national average.
$28.1
$1,126
$4,878
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for this exact role in Des Moines is not provided, it is generally observed that salaries for educators across the nation have seen consistent, albeit modest, growth over the past four years. This trend is typically driven by factors such as inflation, increased demand for qualified teachers, and evolving compensation structures within school districts aiming to attract and retain talent.
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Salary Distribution in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Salary progression for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start at the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned professionals with many years of service and advanced degrees can command significantly higher salaries, often reaching into the upper percentiles. The gap between entry-level and senior roles reflects the value placed on accumulated knowledge, pedagogical expertise, and leadership within the education system.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| ProbationaryInitial licensure. Mentored by senior faculty. | 10% (Entry) | $40,180 | $19.3 |
| Tenured / ProProfessional status. Curriculum development. | 25% (Junior) | $43,905 | $21.1 |
| Senior EducatorDepartment chair. Mentors student teachers. | 50% (Median) | $59,180 | $28.5 |
| Lead SpecialistInstructional coach, reading specialist, or VP. | 75% (Senior) | $73,175 | $35.2 |
| AdministratorPrincipal, District Admin, or Consultant. | 90% (Expert) | $77,890 | $37.4 |
Detailed Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$58,540
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$58,540
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $58,540 in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, aligns precisely with the national average cost of living index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of a teacher's salary in this metropolitan area is comparable to the national average. Consequently, relocating to Des Moines-West Des Moines for this profession would likely result in a similar standard of living in terms of expenses, without a significant financial advantage or disadvantage solely based on cost of living.
Job Market Context
1,180
Total Jobs
2.909
Per 1K Jobs
0.72
Location Quotient
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA has 0.72x the national average concentration of Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.
A Location Quotient of 0.72 for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in Des Moines-West Des Moines suggests that this profession is slightly less concentrated than the national average. This indicates a moderately competitive job market where demand exists but is not overwhelmingly high compared to other regions. While there are opportunities, educators may find the market less saturated, potentially offering a balanced environment for job seekers.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Comparing salaries near Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Hiring Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Educations?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median annual salary for a Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $58,540. This typically ranges from $40,180 for entry-level positions to $77,890 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is 3.9% lower than the national median of $60,890.
Is Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA a lucrative place for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Educations?
No, not significantly more lucrative than the national average.The average salary of $58,540 is slightly below the national average, and the cost of living is exactly at the national average, offering no distinct financial advantage.
Is Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA a good place to live for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Educations?
The Cost of Living Index in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Some top paying nearby cities include Ames, IA ($58,970) and Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area.
How does the Des Moines teacher salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $58,540, which is slightly lower than the national average of $60,890.
What is the concentration of Middle School Teachers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The concentration, measured by the Location Quotient, is 0.72, indicating that this profession is slightly less prevalent in Des Moines-West Des Moines compared to the national average.
How does the cost of living in Des Moines-West Des Moines affect the salary?
The cost of living index is 100, which is the national average. This means the $58,540 salary has purchasing power equivalent to the national average, making it neither exceptionally high nor low in real terms.
What is the total number of Middle School Teachers in this area?
There are 1,180 Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metropolitan area.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,180 employees in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA area with a job density of 2.909 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA