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Average salary by job family in Des Moines
| Management | $135,610 |
|---|---|
| Legal | $115,130 |
| Computer and Mathematical | $102,270 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $98,780 |
| Architecture and Engineering | $91,870 |
| Business and Financial Operations | $89,410 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | $84,040 |
| Construction and Extraction | $65,500 |
| Protective Service | $62,230 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $61,910 |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $61,390 |
| Community and Social Service | $57,890 |
| Sales and Related | $53,290 |
| Educational Instruction and Library | $52,280 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $52,010 |
| Production | $51,550 |
| Transportation and Material Moving | $49,550 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $46,970 |
| Healthcare Support | $41,410 |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $39,040 |
| Personal Care and Service | $36,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | $31,980 |
Highest-paying jobs in Des Moines
- Emergency Medicine Physicians$357,720
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists$354,830
- Family Medicine Physicians$310,640
- Psychiatrists$305,880
- Physicians, All Other$283,770
- Chief Executives$276,500
- Nurse Anesthetists$255,000
- Pediatricians, General$213,930
- Dentists, General$204,670
- Physicists$171,100
Most common jobs in Des Moines and what they pay
| Job | Jobs | Average salary | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Representatives | 12,070 | $51,200 | $48,880 |
| Retail Salespersons | 11,000 | $35,600 | $33,430 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 10,060 | $29,940 | $29,140 |
| Cashiers | 8,720 | $31,500 | $29,640 |
| General and Operations Managers | 8,370 | $117,430 | $98,780 |
| Registered Nurses | 8,130 | $81,710 | $78,630 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 7,840 | $63,480 | $60,720 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 7,430 | $39,220 | $36,800 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 7,000 | $45,160 | $46,370 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | 6,250 | $27,240 | $20,410 |
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Cost of living in Des Moines
Prices in the Des Moines area are 8% below the U.S. average, with a BEA price parity of 91.7 for 2024. The average local salary of $65,970 therefore buys what $71,940 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. A typical home is worth $296,070, 3.5 times the median household income of $84,209.
$296,070typical home value
$84,209median household income
91.7BEA price parity
720,331metro population
Take-home pay in Des Moines
| Salary level | Gross | After tax | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile wage | $37,550 | $31,536 | $2,628 |
| Median wage | $51,820 | $42,460 | $3,538 |
| Average wage | $65,970 | $53,279 | $4,440 |
| 75th percentile wage | $78,320 | $61,564 | $5,130 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Iowa school district surtaxes (a percentage of state tax in some districts) are not included.
Salaries for every job in Des Moines
Management33 jobs
- Chief Executives$276K
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$167K
- Financial Managers$166K
- Compensation and Benefits Managers$157K
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$155K
- Human Resources Managers$153K
- Managers, All Other$152K
- Sales Managers$152K
- Marketing Managers$147K
- Advertising and Promotions Managers$141K
- Public Relations Managers$137K
- Natural Sciences Managers$136K
- Purchasing Managers$132K
- Training and Development Managers$130K
- Administrative Services Managers$129K
- Medical and Health Services Managers$121K
- Industrial Production Managers$121K
- Construction Managers$120K
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$118K
- General and Operations Managers$117K
- Education Administrators, All Other$117K
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$112K
- Education Administrators, Postsecondary$106K
- Fundraising Managers$104K
- Facilities Managers$103K
- Funeral Home Managers$96K
- Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling$80K
- Personal Service Managers, All Other$78K
- Social and Community Service Managers$77K
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$74K
- Food Service Managers$71K
- Lodging Managers$63K
- Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$55K
Legal6 jobs
Computer and Mathematical18 jobs
- Actuaries$125K
- Information Security Analysts$123K
- Software Developers$123K
- Database Architects$120K
- Computer Network Architects$115K
- Database Administrators$113K
- Computer Occupations, All Other$109K
- Data Scientists$105K
- Computer Systems Analysts$103K
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$96K
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators$95K
- Operations Research Analysts$94K
- Computer Programmers$86K
- Web and Digital Interface Designers$79K
- Web Developers$73K
- Statisticians$71K
- Computer Network Support Specialists$68K
- Computer User Support Specialists$60K
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical46 jobs
- Emergency Medicine Physicians$358K
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists$355K
- Family Medicine Physicians$311K
- Psychiatrists$306K
- Physicians, All Other$284K
- Nurse Anesthetists$255K
- Pediatricians, General$214K
- Dentists, General$205K
- General Internal Medicine Physicians$166K
- Pharmacists$141K
- Nurse Practitioners$139K
- Physician Assistants$138K
- Optometrists$132K
- Veterinarians$131K
- Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other$126K
- Audiologists$103K
- Physical Therapists$95K
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$89K
- Speech-Language Pathologists$89K
- Dental Hygienists$88K
- Occupational Therapists$87K
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists$86K
- Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars$83K
- Registered Nurses$82K
- Chiropractors$78K
- Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians$76K
- Respiratory Therapists$74K
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$72K
- Hearing Aid Specialists$68K
- Recreational Therapists$67K
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$66K
- Dietitians and Nutritionists$66K
- Surgical Technologists$63K
- Paramedics$59K
- Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$59K
- Medical Records Specialists$57K
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$56K
- Athletic Trainers$55K
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other$52K
- Emergency Medical Technicians$48K
- Ophthalmic Medical Technicians$47K
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$47K
- Opticians, Dispensing$47K
- Pharmacy Technicians$46K
- Psychiatric Technicians$41K
- Dietetic Technicians$36K
Architecture and Engineering21 jobs
- Electrical Engineers$113K
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians$109K
- Engineers, All Other$107K
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$107K
- Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors$104K
- Civil Engineers$102K
- Industrial Engineers$100K
- Mechanical Engineers$97K
- Environmental Engineers$92K
- Surveyors$91K
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer$82K
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians$77K
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians$76K
- Electrical and Electronics Drafters$75K
- Mechanical Drafters$75K
- Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians$74K
- Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$71K
- Architectural and Civil Drafters$70K
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians$62K
- Drafters, All Other$60K
- Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other$60K
Business and Financial Operations29 jobs
- Personal Financial Advisors$127K
- Financial Risk Specialists$121K
- Project Management Specialists$110K
- Financial and Investment Analysts$106K
- Labor Relations Specialists$102K
- Loan Officers$102K
- Property Appraisers and Assessors$100K
- Financial Examiners$98K
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other$95K
- Management Analysts$94K
- Budget Analysts$93K
- Insurance Underwriters$91K
- Credit Analysts$91K
- Compliance Officers$88K
- Accountants and Auditors$87K
- Financial Specialists, All Other$86K
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$82K
- Training and Development Specialists$82K
- Logisticians$80K
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$80K
- Cost Estimators$80K
- Human Resources Specialists$78K
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents$78K
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$74K
- Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage$72K
- Fundraisers$69K
- Tax Preparers$67K
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$61K
- Credit Counselors$52K
Life, Physical, and Social Science26 jobs
- Physicists$171K
- Soil and Plant Scientists$123K
- Economists$107K
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$103K
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$101K
- Chemists$97K
- Biological Scientists, All Other$96K
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$94K
- Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other$94K
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists$92K
- Urban and Regional Planners$89K
- Epidemiologists$86K
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$85K
- Biochemists and Biophysicists$83K
- Food Scientists and Technologists$80K
- Conservation Scientists$76K
- School Psychologists$75K
- Forensic Science Technicians$72K
- Agricultural Technicians$67K
- Occupational Health and Safety Technicians$62K
- Chemical Technicians$59K
- Forest and Conservation Technicians$57K
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health$54K
- Food Science Technicians$49K
- Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$48K
- Social Science Research Assistants$39K
Construction and Extraction25 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$84K
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers$75K
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$73K
- Construction and Building Inspectors$72K
- Brickmasons and Blockmasons$69K
- Sheet Metal Workers$68K
- Tapers$67K
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$66K
- Electricians$65K
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners$64K
- Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall$62K
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining$62K
- Highway Maintenance Workers$62K
- Carpenters$61K
- Glaziers$61K
- Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles$61K
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$60K
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance$56K
- Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas$55K
- Roofers$54K
- Construction Laborers$54K
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers$52K
- Hazardous Materials Removal Workers$51K
- Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers$50K
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$47K
Protective Service13 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$114K
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$100K
- First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers$91K
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators$87K
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$84K
- First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other$72K
- Firefighters$65K
- Correctional Officers and Jailers$63K
- Transportation Security Screeners$57K
- First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers$56K
- Private Detectives and Investigators$53K
- Security Guards$44K
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$26K
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair28 jobs
- Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$95K
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door$88K
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$81K
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment$70K
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$69K
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$68K
- Millwrights$67K
- Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers$67K
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$67K
- Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians$66K
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics$66K
- Medical Equipment Repairers$64K
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers$63K
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians$63K
- Mechanical Door Repairers$63K
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$63K
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery$62K
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$59K
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$54K
- Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers$53K
- Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians$51K
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$51K
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers$50K
- Home Appliance Repairers$50K
- Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers$50K
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics$49K
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$43K
- Tire Repairers and Changers$42K
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media23 jobs
- Art Directors$97K
- Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners$87K
- Commercial and Industrial Designers$80K
- Public Relations Specialists$76K
- Technical Writers$76K
- Interior Designers$72K
- Producers and Directors$72K
- Writers and Authors$68K
- Editors$67K
- Music Directors and Composers$64K
- News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists$62K
- Graphic Designers$57K
- Audio and Video Technicians$56K
- Interpreters and Translators$56K
- Set and Exhibit Designers$54K
- Sound Engineering Technicians$52K
- Coaches and Scouts$52K
- Broadcast Technicians$50K
- Photographers$46K
- Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys$46K
- Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$44K
- Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials$42K
- Floral Designers$41K
Community and Social Service17 jobs
- Social Workers, All Other$93K
- Counselors, All Other$77K
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$76K
- Health Education Specialists$74K
- Marriage and Family Therapists$73K
- Directors, Religious Activities and Education$72K
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$65K
- Clergy$63K
- Healthcare Social Workers$63K
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$62K
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers$59K
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$57K
- Community Health Workers$51K
- Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$50K
- Social and Human Service Assistants$47K
- Religious Workers, All Other$46K
- Rehabilitation Counselors$45K
Sales and Related17 jobs
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$128K
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$108K
- Sales Engineers$95K
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$91K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$78K
- Insurance Sales Agents$78K
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$73K
- Advertising Sales Agents$69K
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$53K
- Travel Agents$50K
- Parts Salespersons$50K
- Sales and Related Workers, All Other$44K
- Counter and Rental Clerks$43K
- Demonstrators and Product Promoters$38K
- Retail Salespersons$36K
- Telemarketers$34K
- Cashiers$32K
Educational Instruction and Library35 jobs
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$117K
- Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary$85K
- Business Teachers, Postsecondary$82K
- Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary$81K
- Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary$78K
- Instructional Coordinators$78K
- Communications Teachers, Postsecondary$77K
- Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary$74K
- English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary$74K
- Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary$72K
- Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary$71K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary$70K
- Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$70K
- Special Education Teachers, All Other$70K
- Museum Technicians and Conservators$66K
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$64K
- Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary$64K
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$63K
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$62K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$62K
- Special Education Teachers, Middle School$62K
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$59K
- Curators$59K
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$59K
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$58K
- Teachers and Instructors, All Other$57K
- Farm and Home Management Educators$57K
- Education Teachers, Postsecondary$54K
- Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary$52K
- Library Technicians$47K
- Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$43K
- Self-Enrichment Teachers$41K
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$40K
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$36K
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$33K
Office and Administrative Support45 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$73K
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$68K
- Public Safety Telecommunicators$67K
- Postal Service Mail Carriers$64K
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$64K
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$63K
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$62K
- Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators$61K
- Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$60K
- Postal Service Clerks$60K
- Brokerage Clerks$56K
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks$56K
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$55K
- Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks$55K
- Financial Clerks, All Other$55K
- Bill and Account Collectors$54K
- Procurement Clerks$54K
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$53K
- Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$52K
- Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping$52K
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$51K
- Customer Service Representatives$51K
- Information and Record Clerks, All Other$51K
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$51K
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$50K
- Billing and Posting Clerks$50K
- Cargo and Freight Agents$49K
- File Clerks$49K
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$49K
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$48K
- Office Clerks, General$47K
- New Accounts Clerks$47K
- Data Entry Keyers$47K
- Order Clerks$46K
- Word Processors and Typists$46K
- Tellers$44K
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$43K
- Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$43K
- Office Machine Operators, Except Computer$42K
- Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service$42K
- Couriers and Messengers$39K
- Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service$38K
- Receptionists and Information Clerks$38K
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$33K
- Library Assistants, Clerical$33K
Production48 jobs
- Power Plant Operators$93K
- Gas Plant Operators$90K
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$74K
- Tool and Die Makers$73K
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers$69K
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$67K
- Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$60K
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$59K
- Tire Builders$57K
- Machinists$57K
- Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers$56K
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters$56K
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$55K
- Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$55K
- Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$55K
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing$55K
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$54K
- Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$53K
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$52K
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$52K
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$52K
- Prepress Technicians and Workers$51K
- Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$51K
- Dental Laboratory Technicians$51K
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$50K
- Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters$50K
- Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders$49K
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$49K
- Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic$49K
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$48K
- Helpers--Production Workers$48K
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$48K
- Medical Appliance Technicians$47K
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$47K
- Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$47K
- Food Batchmakers$46K
- Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$45K
- Production Workers, All Other$44K
- Printing Press Operators$44K
- Print Binding and Finishing Workers$44K
- Food Processing Workers, All Other$43K
- Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers$43K
- Bakers$39K
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$39K
- Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers$38K
- Sewing Machine Operators$37K
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$34K
- Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials$32K
Transportation and Material Moving17 jobs
- Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers$155K
- Commercial Pilots$136K
- Crane and Tower Operators$72K
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$65K
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$63K
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$55K
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$51K
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$50K
- Bus Drivers, School$49K
- Light Truck Drivers$46K
- Driver/Sales Workers$45K
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$45K
- Stockers and Order Fillers$39K
- Packers and Packagers, Hand$39K
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$36K
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$34K
- Parking Attendants$31K
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry5 jobs
Healthcare Support14 jobs
- Occupational Therapy Assistants$67K
- Massage Therapists$67K
- Physical Therapist Assistants$64K
- Dental Assistants$53K
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$50K
- Medical Assistants$46K
- Medical Equipment Preparers$45K
- Nursing Assistants$43K
- Phlebotomists$41K
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$38K
- Orderlies$38K
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides$37K
- Pharmacy Aides$34K
- Physical Therapist Aides$30K
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance8 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$62K
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$50K
- Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation$47K
- Pest Control Workers$46K
- Tree Trimmers and Pruners$45K
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$44K
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$36K
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$34K
Personal Care and Service16 jobs
- Skincare Specialists$75K
- Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers$69K
- Animal Trainers$47K
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$46K
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$42K
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$42K
- Residential Advisors$42K
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$40K
- Recreation Workers$37K
- Animal Caretakers$35K
- Childcare Workers$32K
- Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other$30K
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants$28K
- Tour and Travel Guides$28K
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$27K
- Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants$26K
Food Preparation and Serving Related15 jobs
- Chefs and Head Cooks$56K
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$44K
- Cooks, Restaurant$37K
- Cooks, Short Order$37K
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$36K
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other$36K
- Food Preparation Workers$35K
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$33K
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$31K
- Dishwashers$31K
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$30K
- Cooks, Fast Food$29K
- Bartenders$28K
- Waiters and Waitresses$27K
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$27K
Average salary in nearby cities
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Salary in Des Moines: questions
What is a good salary in Des Moines?
Half of all workers in the Des Moines metro earn less than $51,820 and the average is $65,970. Earning more than $78,320 puts you in the top quarter of local wages.
How much do you need to earn in Des Moines to match a $70,751 salary elsewhere?
About $64,879, because prices here are 8% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 91.7).
What are the highest-paying jobs in Des Moines?
Emergency Medicine Physicians ($357,720), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($354,830), Family Medicine Physicians ($310,640).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. Area Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA (19780), all occupations and 505 individual jobs.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Iowa school district surtaxes (a percentage of state tax in some districts) are not included.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.