How much does a life make in Des Moines?
$43,960a year
Median yearly pay for lifes in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $21.13 an hour or $3,663 a month.
- Hourly
- $21.13
- Vs. national median
- -29%
- Rank among cities
- 170 of 182
- Jobs in the area
- 130
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $39,790Median: $43,960Highest 10%: $63,790
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,790 | $19.13 | |
| 25th | $39,790 | $19.13 | |
| Median | $43,960 | $21.13 | |
| 75th | $48,870 | $23.50 | |
| 90th | $63,790 | $30.67 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for lifes.
| Ames, IA | $65,020 |
| Iowa City, IA | $62,920 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physicist | $178,100 |
| Soil and Plant Scientist | $132,300 |
| Biological Scientist | $99,420 |
| Medical Scientist | $95,200 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $92,310 |
| Chemist | $87,560 |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $85,980 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $84,740 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist | $81,220 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientist | $76,850 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a life make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $21.13 ($43,960 a year).
Do lifes make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $43,960 against $62,280 nationally, 29% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $50,480, so Des Moines pays 13% less.
Where does Des Moines rank for life pay?
170 of 182 metro areas with data.
How much does a life make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $39,790 or less a year; the top 10% make $63,790 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.