Salaries in Des Moines, IA

Here’s the thing about Des Moines: you might assume it’s a sleepy government town, but it’s got a quietly fierce job market. The unemployment rate is a razor-thin 2.8%, and for a state capital, that’s no accident. It’s a place where a good resume doesn’t just get you an interview—it gets you a bidding war.

Let’s talk real money. With a cost of living index at 92.7, your paycheck here buys more than the national average. That median household income of $60,882 feels solid when a one-bedroom apartment runs you just $899 a month. It’s not a free ride, but it’s a far cry from the financial squeeze you’d feel on either coast. You’re not just getting by; you’re building a life without the constant panic of a rent check.

So who’s actually thriving? Des Moines runs on three big engines: finance (thanks to a huge insurance and banking presence), healthcare (MercyOne and UnityPoint are massive employers), and a growing tech scene. The top paychecks go to the usual suspects—marketing managers, pharmacists, software developers—who are pulling in salaries well into the six figures. It’s a city that rewards specialized skills, not just warm bodies.

But here’s my honest take: while salaries are comfortable, they’re not exploding. The cost of living is creeping up, and that gap between the COL-adjusted average ($72,913) and the actual average ($67,590) tells you that wage growth is playing catch-up. This city is a dream for young professionals, remote workers, or anyone in a high-demand field like tech or healthcare. If you’re in a low-wage industry, you’ll find it manageable, but you won’t be getting rich.

The data below breaks down the numbers, from top-paying jobs to the averages that define the middle class here. It’s a blueprint for seeing if Des Moines fits your wallet.