Nursing Assistants Salary in Des Moines, IA

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

Median annual salary $39,790 +0.7% vs national
Median hourly $19.13
10th percentile $36,690
90th percentile $48,950
Employed locally 4,870
National median $39,530

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Nursing Assistants
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,690
    25th
    $37,790
    50th (median)
    $39,790
    75th
    $46,630
    90th
    $48,950

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Nursing Assistants salary vs area income 47% Median Nursing Assistants salary is 53% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Nursing Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $56,220
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $53,990
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $50,690
    Boulder, CO $49,390
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $48,520
    Alaska nonmetropolitan area $48,510

    Nearby metros — Nursing Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $47,470
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $47,000
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $46,900
    District of Columbia $46,860
    California $46,420
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $46,190

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides$35,480
    Medical Assistants$45,700
    Dental Assistants$48,680
    Phlebotomists$39,200
    Pharmacy Aides$33,360
    Massage Therapists$73,300

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Nursing Assistants in Des Moines, IA is $19.13, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $24.34 or more per hour.

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

    The median Nursing Assistants salary in Des Moines, IA is 0.7% above the national median of $39,530. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

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

    Entry-level Nursing Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $36,690 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,790.