Taper salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Tapers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $67,050 a year ($32.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,830 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $68,270. Pay here is about the same as the Iowa statewide median of $66,980. There are 0.17 tapers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $67,030, close to the median.
Pay range for tapers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,830 | $28.28 |
| 25th percentile | $66,980 | $32.20 |
| Median | $67,050 | $32.24 |
| 75th percentile | $70,400 | $33.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,830 | $34.05 |
| Average (mean) | $67,030 | $32.23 |
Half of tapers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,587.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,793.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,578.85 |
| Weekly | $1,289.42 |
| Hourly | $32.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for tapers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Illinois | $113,180 |
| Hawaii | $95,490 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,240 |
| Washington | $79,040 |
| Minnesota | $78,090 |
| New York | $77,790 |
| Kansas | $74,120 |
| Ohio | $73,840 |
| California | $73,460 |
| Oregon | $71,450 |
See Taper pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $49,980 | $24.03 |
| Electrician | $62,840 | $30.21 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $75,040 | $36.08 |
| Carpenter | $61,360 | $29.50 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $62,610 | $30.10 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $57,410 | $27.60 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $59,700 | $28.70 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $66,000 | $31.73 |
| Roofer | $49,510 | $23.80 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $70,410 | $33.85 |
| Glazier | $62,590 | $30.09 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $75,810 | $36.45 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $49,670 | $23.88 |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $63,200 | $30.39 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2082. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a taper make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for tapers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $67,050 a year, or $32.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid tapers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of tapers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $70,830 a year. The top 25% earn $70,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for tapers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,830 a year, and a quarter of tapers earn $66,980 or less.
How many tapers work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 70 tapers are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.