Des Moines, IA

Salary intelligence, cost of living, and affordability data

All 791 jobs →

Avg Salary

$61,855

across all roles

Cost Index

Very Affordable

Avg Rent

$1,150/mo

1-bed apartment

Affordability

6/10

Moderate Affordability

How affordable is Des Moines?

6/10

Moderate Affordability

Purchasing power score: 1.76× (take-home ÷ living costs)

With a cost of living index of 79 (US avg = 100) and average disposable income of $1,630/mo, Des Moines is a low-cost market — your salary goes further here than in most US cities.

Cost of Living Benchmarks

Cost Index

US avg = 100

Est. Monthly Rent

$1,150

1-bed, city avg

Avg Disposable

$1,630

after taxes + living costs

Median Salary

$54,303

across all tracked roles

Purchasing Power

1.76×

take-home ÷ costs

Jobs Tracked

791

job titles with data

Highest-Paying Jobs in Des Moines

By gross annual salary

1.Obstetricians And Gynecologists
$194,535
2.Neurologists
$193,543
3.Radiologists
$192,193
4.Nurse Anesthetists
$188,768
5.Anesthesiologists
$186,676
6.Ophthalmologists
$186,665
7.Orthodontists
$184,772
8.Orthopedic Surgeons
$182,066
9.Pediatricians
$175,156
10.Family Medicine Physicians
$173,014

Best Jobs for Disposable Income

After taxes and living costs

1.Obstetricians And Gynecologists
$9,701/mo
2.Neurologists
$9,641/mo
3.Radiologists
$9,559/mo
4.Nurse Anesthetists
$9,350/mo
5.Anesthesiologists
$9,223/mo
6.Ophthalmologists
$9,222/mo
7.Orthodontists
$9,107/mo
8.Orthopedic Surgeons
$8,943/mo
9.Pediatricians
$8,522/mo
10.Family Medicine Physicians
$8,392/mo

Jobs With Tightest Budgets in Des Moines

These roles leave the least disposable income after living costs — worth knowing before accepting an offer.

Office Machine Operators

$7/mo left

$35,172/yr gross

Couriers And Messengers

$13/mo left

$35,269/yr gross

Laborers And Freight

$13/mo left

$35,269/yr gross

Orderlies

$13/mo left

$35,272/yr gross

Food Cooking Machine Operators And Tenders

$22/mo left

$35,420/yr gross

Explore Des Moines Further

All Salaries

791 job titles →

Browse by Job

Find a role in any city →

City Rankings

Best cities for pay →

All data derived from BLS OEWS metro data and regional cost-of-living indices. Figures are estimates; verify with local sources before making decisions.