Salary data is based on the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metropolitan area and applied to Des Moines using local cost-of-living adjustments.

Adult Basic Education Salaries in Des Moines, IA

Average Base Pay

$54,035/yr

14% below national average

Monthly

$4,503

Hourly

$26

Cost Index

Adult Basic Education in Des Moines, IA earn an average of $54,035 per year, with most salaries falling between $43,228 and $64,842 depending on experience, employer, and specialization. At 14% below the national average, Des Moines offers a more modest rate for this role, in part reflecting a local cost of living index of 79. For professionals evaluating a move or negotiating an offer, the headline salary is only part of the picture—what matters most is how far that income actually goes once taxes, rent, and daily expenses are factored in. The sections below break that down in full for Des Moines.

Salary Range

The chart below shows the full compensation spectrum for this role, from entry-level to senior positions. The highlighted center bars represent the 25th–75th percentile band where most professionals are paid.

$41K
Low

$54K
Median

$68K
High

25th percentile: $46K75th percentile: $62K

About Adult Basic Education

Elementary School Teachers educate children typically from kindergarten through fifth or sixth grade, teaching foundational skills in reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies. They create structured learning environments that are engaging, age-appropriate, and differentiated to meet the needs of students with a wide range of backgrounds, learning styles, and abilities. Daily instruction involves direct teaching, guided practice, small group work, and independent activities designed to build literacy and numeracy skills progressively. Teachers assess student learning through formative assessments, classroom observations, and standardized tests, then use data to plan instruction and provide targeted support to students who are struggling or need enrichment. Building positive relationships with students is fundamental—young children learn best when they feel safe, valued, and connected to their teacher. Elementary teachers also manage classroom behavior, communicate regularly with parents, collaborate with special education and intervention specialists, and fulfill administrative duties including attendance, grading, and report cards. State licensure requires completion of a teacher preparation program and passing relevant Praxis or state examinations.

What Adult Basic Educations Do

Plan and deliver daily instruction in core subjects including reading, math, and science
Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners
Assess student learning through formal and informal assessment methods
Manage a positive and productive classroom environment
Communicate regularly with parents about student progress and concerns
Collaborate with special education teachers, counselors, and support staff
Participate in professional development, staff meetings, and curriculum planning
Maintain accurate records of attendance, grades, and behavioral observations

Key Skills & Qualifications

Knowledge of elementary curriculum and state academic standards
Differentiated instruction and learning accommodation strategies
Classroom management techniques
Assessment design and data-driven instructional planning
Positive relationship building with children and families
Educational technology tools for instruction and communication
State teaching license in elementary education
Patience, creativity, and high emotional intelligence

Career Path

Student Teacher / Teacher Assistant
Elementary School Teacher
Lead Teacher / Instructional Coach
Assistant Principal
Principal / Curriculum Director

Adult Basic Education Market in Des Moines, IA

Salary Competitiveness

Des Moines currently pays 14% below the national median for Adult Basic Educations. This gap can reflect a lower regional cost base, thinner employer density, or a surplus of qualified candidates relative to open roles—factors worth factoring into any offer negotiation or relocation calculation.

Cost of Living Impact

Des Moines's cost of living runs below the national average, which works in favor of this salary. Essential monthly expenses account for approximately 65% of take-home pay—a ratio that leaves meaningful room for savings, debt reduction, and discretionary spending compared with higher-cost metros.

Effective Purchasing Power

The purchasing power of $54,035 for a Adult Basic Education in Des Moines is moderate: enough to meet essential expenses and build incremental savings, but requiring deliberate budgeting to avoid margin erosion—especially as rent and healthcare costs have outpaced wage growth across many mid-tier markets.

vs. National Avg

-14%

Cost Pressure

65%

Purchasing Power

Moderate

Take-Home Pay Calculator

Enter any gross salary to see how federal and state taxes affect your actual take-home pay, broken down by year, month, and week. Results use an estimated effective tax rate of 27% based on this location and income level.

Annual Salary

Take-home (73%)Taxes (27%)

Annual Net

$39,446

Monthly

$3,287

Weekly

$759

Eff. Tax Rate

27%

A gross salary of $54,035 for a Adult Basic Education in Des Moines translates to roughly $3,287 in monthly take-home pay after estimated federal and state taxes. Set against monthly living costs of $2,133—covering housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare—that leaves approximately $1,154 per month in disposable income. That margin, not the gross number, is what determines whether you can comfortably cover rent, build savings, and afford discretionary spending in Des Moines's current market.

How far does this salary go in Des Moines?

Cost of Living in Des Moines

Estimated monthly expenses for a single person in Des Moines, benchmarked against US regional price indices for housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare.

Cost Index

Below Avg — US average is 100. Based on a single person (1-bed apartment).

🏠Housing / Rent$1,150/mo

🍔Food & Groceries$435/mo

🚗Transportation$115/mo

💡Utilities$155/mo

🏥Healthcare$278/mo

Monthly$2,133

Annual$25,596

Disposable Income$1,154

Financial Reality Check

This section compares estimated monthly take-home pay against typical living costs in Des Moines to show your real disposable income—the amount remaining after essential bills are paid each month.

Monthly Take-Home

$3,287

Living Costs

$2,133

Disposable

$1,154

Cost Index

Lifestyle

Moderate

With a monthly take-home of $3,287, your estimated living costs in Des Moines are $2,133 ($25,596/yr). This leaves $1,154 per month in disposable income, indicating a moderate standard of living. Des Moines's cost of living is 21% below the national average.

Overall, a Adult Basic Education earning $54,035 in Des Moines falls into a moderate lifestyle tier and can cover essentials and hit modest savings goals, though discretionary spending warrants careful planning. With a cost index of 79, Des Moines is 21% more affordable than the national average, which extends your purchasing power. Regardless of tier, prioritizing retirement contributions, an emergency fund of three to six months' expenses, and incremental debt reduction will yield the greatest long-term financial stability—especially as living costs in Des Moines continue to evolve.