Health Education Specialists Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $70,360 +11.7% vs national
Median hourly $33.83
10th percentile $48,090
90th percentile $90,050
Employed locally 160
National median $63,000

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Health Education Specialists
in
Des Moines, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,090
    25th
    $59,160
    50th (median)
    $70,360
    75th
    $80,340
    90th
    $90,050

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Health Education Specialists salary vs area income 84% Median Health Education Specialists salary is 16% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Health Education Specialists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $121,890
    District of Columbia $110,620
    Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $109,260
    Maryland $101,090
    Georgia $97,010
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $88,370

    Nearby metros — Health Education Specialists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $121,890
    District of Columbia $110,620
    Georgia $97,010
    South Georgia nonmetropolitan area $77,880
    Central Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area $77,240
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $75,680

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Social and Human Service Assistants $42,580
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $55,140
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $60,010
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $61,400
    Rehabilitation Counselors $41,070
    Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists $80,600

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Health Education Specialists make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Health Education Specialists in Des Moines, IA is $33.83, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $46.16 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Health Education Specialists salaries?

    The median Health Education Specialists salary in Des Moines, IA is 11.7% above the national median of $63,000. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Health Education Specialists in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Health Education Specialists (10th percentile) earn around $48,090 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $59,160.