Special Education Teachers, Secondary School, Des Moines

$60,310

BLS OEWS median annual wage in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA. Middle half of wages roughly $51,190 to $73,300.

BLS OEWS median, May 2025, as of May 15, 2026. BEA Regional Price Parity 2024. Disclaimer

vs US median
−18.8%
US median
$74,260
Metro RPP
91.7
Middle half
$51,190 to $73,300
OEWS employment
580
SOC
25-2058

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Des Moines pay a median $60,310 (May 2025), 18.8% below the US median of $74,260. At local prices (RPP 91.7), that median buys about what $65,769 buys at US-average prices.

Purchasing power

$60,310 in Des Moines buys about what $65,769 buys at US-average prices (BEA RPP 91.7, 2024). Housing (rents) RPP is 84.7 vs all-items 91.7 (US = 100, 2024).

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in nearby metros

Metro Median Middle half RPP
Des Moines $60,310 $51,190 to $73,300 91.7
San Francisco $105,160 $80,160 to $124,220 115.6
Tulsa $49,280 $47,670 to $59,710 89.2

BLS OEWS May 2025 where published for the CBSA.

FAQ

What is the median salary for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Des Moines?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025, the median annual wage for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $60,310.
How does Des Moines pay compare to the US median for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School?
Local median pay is 18.8% below the national OEWS median of $74,260.
How does cost of living change what that wage buys?
BEA RPP for Des Moines is 91.7 (US = 100, 2024). The local median of $60,310 has about the same purchasing power as $65,769 at US-average prices.
How current is this data?
Wages are BLS OEWS May 2025. Price levels use BEA Regional Price Parities for 2024. See methodology for source details.

What this covers

Includes

  • BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, goods, housing rents, other services)
  • BLS OEWS median wages, percentile bands, and employment where published
  • Purchasing-power math: salary × (destination RPP ÷ origin RPP)

Does not include

  • Federal, state, or local income taxes
  • Childcare, healthcare premiums, or leave benefits
  • Job openings. OEWS employment is a published stock estimate, not hiring demand

Median wages are published BLS OEWS metro estimates; price levels use BEA Regional Price Parities. See methodology and disclaimer.