ocity
💰 COL Index: 93 — Below Avg Cost

Salaries in West Des Moines, IA

Modeled occupation planning estimates with gross-pay and cost-context formulas.

Model generated 2026-02-26 · Methodology reviewed July 16, 2026 · 39 selected occupations

Selected-Role Model Average
$68,774
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$74,190
model average ÷ 92.7 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Marketing Manager
$154,168
City 1BR Rent Reference
$899
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for West Des Moines?

$68,774 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for these 39 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all local workers.

Model average$68,774/year
Gross monthly equivalent$5,731/month
Household income context$83,637

Keep the measures separate: gross monthly salary is before taxes and deductions; household income can include multiple earners; the selected-role model average is not weighted by local employment.

🏆 Highest Modeled Values in This 39-Role Set

Ranked by modeled annual occupation median. These are planning estimates, not direct local OEWS rows.

🥇 -2% vs national

Marketing Manager

$154,168
💡 Purchasing-power model $166,309
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $74.12/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥈 -2% vs national

Pharmacist

$133,050
💡 Purchasing-power model $143,528
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $63.97/hr
National projected growth -3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥉 -2% vs national

Software Developer

$124,473
💡 Purchasing-power model $134,275
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $59.84/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
4️⃣ -2% vs national

Construction Manager

$105,840
💡 Purchasing-power model $114,175
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $50.88/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
5️⃣ -2% vs national

Project Manager

$99,061
💡 Purchasing-power model $106,862
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $47.63/hr
National projected growth +6.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 39 Occupations in West Des Moines

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (92.7/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is below 100.

Showing all 39 occupations.

#
1 Marketing Manager $154,168
2 Pharmacist $133,050
3 Software Developer $124,473
4 Construction Manager $105,840
5 Project Manager $99,061
6 Physical Therapist $97,526
7 Financial Analyst $96,841
8 Web Developer $90,718
9 Dental Hygienist $85,613
10 Accountant $84,194
11 Registered Nurse $84,185
12 Data Analyst $81,534
13 Police Officer $73,269
14 Human Resources Specialist $66,168
15 Elementary School Teacher $62,275
16 Plumber $61,962
17 Paralegal $61,375
18 Electrician $60,202
19 Real Estate Agent $60,133
20 Graphic Designer $59,996
21 Firefighter $55,869
22 Carpenter $55,673
23 HVAC Technician $54,450
24 Heavy Truck Driver $51,927
25 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $48,905
26 Nail Technician $48,905
27 Cosmetologist $48,905
28 Chef/Head Cook $48,905
29 Personal Trainer $48,905
30 Auto Mechanic $48,905
31 Social Worker $48,905
32 Veterinary Technician $48,905
33 Pharmacy Technician $48,905
34 Dental Assistant $48,905
35 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $48,905
36 Loan Officer $48,905
37 Insurance Agent $48,905
38 Welder $48,503
39 Medical Assistant $37,431

OCity planning estimates. National occupation references are inputs; displayed city values are modeled rather than direct local BLS occupation rows.

West Des Moines salary model: formulas, sources and limitations

Stored occupation model comparison

modeled estimate ÷ stored national reference = row comparison

On this owner, estimate-to-reference ratios are 0.612×–1.466× across occupations. Ratios can vary by occupation, so this is not described as one citywide multiplier or a direct local OEWS download.

Purchasing-power equivalent

modeled estimate ÷ 92.7 × 100

This comparison does not estimate taxes or take-home pay and is not an official BLS adjustment.

Limitations. “Average” is unweighted across selected occupations. Growth fields are national occupation projections, not local forecasts. City and metro geographies can differ. Repeated stored employment counts are not presented as local jobs.
BLS OEWS methodologyBLS national projectionsCensus/ACS income context

Model generated 2026-02-26; methodology reviewed July 16, 2026.

🏙️ Living Costs in West Des Moines

🏠
1BR Rent
$899/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$1,080/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$316,000
📉
Unemployment
2.8%
💳
Median Income
$83,637
🎓
College Educated
55%
🚶
Walk Score
35/100
📊
Cost of Living
93
Below Avg Cost
📊 Full Cost of Living Breakdown → 🏠 Real Estate Market →

🧮 Test Your West Des Moines Budget

Use scenario tools to compare gross pay and city cost context. Results depend on the inputs and do not guarantee take-home pay, housing approval or affordability.

💰 Decode a Job Offer 🔄 Salary Equivalence Calculator 🔍 Career Arbitrage Tool

❓ West Des Moines Salary FAQ

What does the average salary in West Des Moines mean on this page?

▼
$68,774 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 39 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all West Des Moines workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in West Des Moines?

▼
The selected-occupation model average equals about $5,731 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in West Des Moines?

▼
There is no universal threshold. Household size, current housing quotes, taxes, debt, benefits, transportation and other recurring costs determine fit. The figures here are planning references, not affordability guarantees.

Are these direct local BLS salary observations for West Des Moines?

▼
No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is 0.612×–1.466× across occupations; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for West Des Moines

Use the occupation rows to compare modeled gross-pay references, not to predict an offer. Validate the exact role, experience level, employer, benefits and location. Then model taxes and current household costs before making a relocation or career decision.

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