Medical Assistants Salary in Des Moines, IA

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

Median annual salary $45,700 +3.4% vs national
Median hourly $21.97
10th percentile $36,400
90th percentile $55,280
Employed locally 1,410
National median $44,200

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Medical Assistants
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,400
    25th
    $39,990
    50th (median)
    $45,700
    75th
    $49,150
    90th
    $55,280

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Medical Assistants salary vs area income 54% Median Medical Assistants salary is 46% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Medical Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Vallejo, CA $75,180
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $62,900
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $62,570
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $62,290
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $59,910
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $58,850

    Nearby metros — Medical Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $50,300
    District of Columbia $49,740
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $49,710
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $48,510
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $48,190
    California $48,050

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $35,480
    Nursing Assistants $39,790
    Dental Assistants $48,680
    Phlebotomists $39,200
    Pharmacy Aides $33,360
    Massage Therapists $73,300

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Medical Assistants make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Medical Assistants in Des Moines, IA is $21.97, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.00 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Medical Assistants salaries?

    The median Medical Assistants salary in Des Moines, IA is 3.4% above the national median of $44,200. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Medical Assistants in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Medical Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $36,400 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $39,990.