Social and Human Service Assistants Salary in Des Moines, IA

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

Median annual salary $42,580 -5.6% vs national
Median hourly $20.47
10th percentile $32,990
90th percentile $65,280
Employed locally 1,270
National median $45,120

Compare Social and Human Service Assistants salary & buying power

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Social and Human Service Assistants
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $32,990
    25th
    $37,300
    50th (median)
    $42,580
    75th
    $48,700
    90th
    $65,280

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Social and Human Service Assistants salary vs area income 51% Median Social and Human Service Assistants salary is 49% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Social and Human Service Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $60,230
    Amherst Town-Northampton, MA $59,900
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $59,230
    Modesto, CA $57,330
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $57,220
    District of Columbia $57,210

    Nearby metros — Social and Human Service Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $60,230
    District of Columbia $57,210
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $54,170
    California $51,780
    Visalia, CA $50,030
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $48,610

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    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
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$60,290

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Social and Human Service Assistants make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Social and Human Service Assistants in Des Moines, IA is $20.47, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.18 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Social and Human Service Assistants salaries?

    The median Social and Human Service Assistants salary in Des Moines, IA is 5.6% below the national median of $45,120. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Social and Human Service Assistants in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Social and Human Service Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $32,990 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,300.