Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Salary in Des Moines, IA

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

Median annual salary $40,450 -9.4% vs national
Median hourly $19.45
10th percentile $34,560
90th percentile $54,810
Employed locally 2,120
National median $44,640

Compare Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary & buying power

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Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $34,560
    25th
    $37,870
    50th (median)
    $40,450
    75th
    $46,180
    90th
    $54,810

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary vs area income 48% Median Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary is 52% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $67,380
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $61,090
    Napa, CA $60,940
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $60,470
    Vallejo, CA $60,260
    Bellingham, WA $57,360

    Nearby metros — Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    California $52,720
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $51,480
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $50,750
    Iowa City, IA $48,710
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $48,330
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $47,640

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Customer Service Representatives$48,240
    Office Clerks, General$44,350
    Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$49,500
    First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$67,540
    Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$46,440
    Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$47,340

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in Des Moines, IA is $19.45, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $23.62 or more per hour.

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

    The median Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary in Des Moines, IA is 9.4% below the national median of $44,640. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

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

    Entry-level Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $34,560 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,870.