salary$133,830 a year$64 an hour · median pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$99,990per year
Top pay (top 10%)$188,860per year
Jobs in the area340people work this job
Can a physician assistant afford Des Moines?
Cheap. Rent of $1,266 a month takes 11.4% of the median physician assistant salary. That is under the 30% rule, so one paycheck covers rent comfortably.
Physician Assistant pay in similar cities
Other jobs in Des Moines
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a physician assistant make in Des Moines, IA?
The median pay for a physician assistant in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA area is $133,830 a year ($64 an hour). Most earn between $99,990 and $188,860.
Can a physician assistant afford to live in Des Moines?
Typical rent of $1,266 a month takes 11.4% of the median physician assistant salary, which we rate Cheap.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area.