Word Processors and Typists salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Word Processors and Typists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $45,100 a year ($21.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,680 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $49,280. Pay here is 4% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $43,210. There are 0.26 word processors and typists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $45,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for word processors and typists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,260 | $18.40 |
| 25th percentile | $38,370 | $18.45 |
| Median | $45,100 | $21.68 |
| 75th percentile | $47,580 | $22.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,680 | $26.77 |
| Average (mean) | $45,730 | $21.98 |
Half of word processors and typists 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 | $3,758.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,879.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,734.62 |
| Weekly | $867.31 |
| Hourly | $21.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Word Processors and Typists salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $47,080 | 60 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $40,630 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for word processors and typists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Colorado | $57,550 |
| California | $56,380 |
| Massachusetts | $53,740 |
| Oregon | $52,420 |
| Minnesota | $51,550 |
| Idaho | $49,930 |
| Tennessee | $49,750 |
| New Jersey | $49,520 |
| Connecticut | $49,250 |
| District of Columbia | $49,180 |
See Word Processors and Typists pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Office Clerks, General | $46,540 | $22.38 |
| Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks | $46,770 | $22.48 |
| Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other | $66,710 | $32.07 |
| Data Entry Keyer | $42,580 | $20.47 |
| Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service | $35,720 | $17.17 |
| Office Machine Operators, Except Computer | $38,550 | $18.53 |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,880 | $23.50 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $50,610 | $24.33 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $47,500 | $22.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $71,690 | $34.47 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $42,160 | $20.27 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $64,990 | $31.25 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $47,300 | $22.74 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $37,910 | $18.23 |
More: Office and Administrative Support 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 43-9022. 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 word processors and typists make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for word processors and typists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $45,100 a year, or $21.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid word processors and typists make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of word processors and typists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $55,680 a year. The top 25% earn $47,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for word processors and typists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,260 a year, and a quarter of word processors and typists earn $38,370 or less.
How many word processors and typists work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 100 word processors and typists are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.