Wages by Occupation in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Pay and jobs by occupation in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metropolitan area (BLS, May 2025). BLS counts about 404,130 jobs across all occupations here, with a median annual wage of $51,820 for all occupations combined. 508 occupations have a published median wage in this area.

Education and earnings of residents

Who lives in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA area and what they earn, by education, from federal survey data (not a measure of any one employer or college).

39.7% of adults 25 and over in this area have a bachelor’s degree or higher (±0.7), compared with 35.7% nationally.

Prices of goods and services here run at 91.7 when the whole U.S. is 100 (housing 84.7; U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities, 2024; estimates are revised). A higher number means prices are higher on average, not that the area is better or worse.

About 36,470 residents (5.2% of those 3 and older; U.S. 6.6%) are enrolled in college or graduate school, at any school (±1,707; ACS 2020-2024, Table B14001).

The unemployment rate in this area averaged 3.5% in 2025, with a labor force of about 419,892 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, not seasonally adjusted annual average; estimates are model-based and revised).

43.5% of adults 25 to 34 have a bachelor’s degree or higher (±1.5), compared with 39.6% nationally (Table B15001).

Median yearly earnings by education, adults 25 and over who have earnings

Education	This area	United States
Less than high school	$32,331	$32,485
High school graduate	$42,313	$40,153
Some college or associate's degree	$52,012	$47,260
Bachelor's degree	$70,899	$70,044
Graduate or professional degree	$88,211	$90,720

Poverty rate by education, adults 25 and over

Education	This area	United States
Less than high school	23.0% (±2.4)	24.2%
High school graduate	11.8% (±0.8)	14.4%
Some college or associate's degree	6.7% (±0.5)	9.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher	3.1% (±0.4)	4.5%

Unemployment rate by education, ages 25 to 64

Education	This area	United States
Less than high school	8.3% (±2.1)	7.7%
High school graduate	5.5% (±0.9)	5.9%
Some college or associate's degree	3.2% (±0.4)	4.7%
Bachelor's degree or higher	1.5% (±0.3)	2.8%

What residents with a bachelor’s degree studied

Field of first major	This area	United States
Science and engineering	30.1%	36.1%
Science and engineering related fields	8.8%	10.0%
Business	25.0%	20.1%
Education	13.2%	10.9%
Arts, humanities and other	22.8%	23.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, Tables B15003, B20004 (earnings shown only when the margin of error is at most 20% of the value), B23006 (unemployment shown only when every margin is at most 3 points), B17003 (margins of error at the 90% level; poverty shown only when every margin is at most 8 points) and C15010 (the Census Bureau’s own field groups, in a fixed order, not ranked). Describes residents of the area, not a prediction for any person; the Census Bureau has not endorsed this presentation. MajorPays does not provide advice.

Wages by occupation

Occupation	Jobs	Median annual wage	Mean annual wage	Jobs per 1,000 jobs here	Concentration vs. U.S.
Accountants and Auditors	4,850	$79,290	$87,250	12.01	1.29
Actuaries	400	$130,540	$125,300	0.99	5.79
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers	70	$127,480	$129,330	0.17	1.60
Administrative Services Managers	630	$126,190	$129,230	1.56	0.92
Advertising and Promotions Managers	—	$115,900	$141,420	—	—
Advertising Sales Agents	350	$62,510	$68,670	0.87	1.47
Agricultural Equipment Operators	110	$46,220	$48,330	0.27	1.49
Agricultural Inspectors	90	$57,080	$60,750	0.22	2.42
Agricultural Technicians	—	$65,300	$67,460	—	—
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians	130	$59,100	$63,090	0.33	0.37
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers	60	$160,990	$155,290	0.15	0.22
Amusement and Recreation Attendants	1,700	$27,860	$28,370	4.21	1.65
Anesthesiologists	190	$239,200 or more	$239,200 or more	0.47	1.87
Animal Caretakers	920	$30,950	$34,550	2.29	1.33
Animal Trainers	30	$38,370	$47,330	0.08	0.63
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval	310	$97,460	$107,390	0.76	1.10
Architectural and Civil Drafters	360	$64,240	$69,730	0.90	1.35
Architectural and Engineering Managers	360	$148,330	$154,700	0.88	0.62
Art Directors	130	$90,000	$97,060	0.33	0.98
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary	80	$75,490	$78,380	0.21	0.35
Athletic Trainers	180	$50,110	$55,440	0.44	2.26
Atmospheric and Space Scientists	—	$76,850	$92,130	—	—
Audio and Video Technicians	100	$51,030	$55,780	0.25	0.56
Audiologists	70	$104,580	$102,690	0.17	1.96
Automotive Body and Related Repairers	450	$58,210	$63,100	1.12	1.17
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics	1,870	$60,470	$58,950	4.62	1.02
Bakers	700	$37,680	$38,760	1.73	1.14
Bartenders	2,200	$22,340	$27,620	5.46	1.12
Bill and Account Collectors	310	$51,730	$54,450	0.76	0.75
Billing and Posting Clerks	1,010	$47,990	$49,820	2.50	0.96
Biochemists and Biophysicists	30	$83,790	$82,670	0.09	0.39
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary	60	$75,180	$81,470	0.14	0.44
Biological Scientists, All Other	130	$99,420	$95,530	0.31	0.87
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks	3,670	$50,610	$52,660	9.09	1.03
Brickmasons and Blockmasons	80	$75,810	$69,020	0.19	0.57
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys	80	$37,770	$45,760	0.20	1.49
Broadcast Technicians	60	$47,880	$49,540	0.15	1.12
Brokerage Clerks	60	$57,560	$56,440	0.14	0.63
Budget Analysts	180	$91,920	$92,720	0.45	1.49
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists	1,050	$61,630	$62,620	2.60	1.40
Bus Drivers, School	860	$46,210	$48,600	2.14	0.82
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity	290	$58,930	$50,800	0.72	0.70
Business Operations Specialists, All Other	5,130	$86,540	$95,330	12.70	1.82
Business Teachers, Postsecondary	100	$82,730	$82,230	0.25	0.47
Butchers and Meat Cutters	770	$36,770	$38,760	1.92	2.19
Buyers and Purchasing Agents	1,010	$73,710	$78,100	2.50	0.79
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters	150	$49,040	$50,300	0.37	0.75
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians	110	$78,850	$75,620	0.28	0.68
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary	260	$62,420	$70,410	0.64	0.87
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School	120	$60,980	$61,990	0.31	0.43
Cargo and Freight Agents	350	$44,240	$49,440	0.87	1.38
Carpenters	1,810	$61,360	$61,450	4.48	1.04
Cashiers	8,720	$29,640	$31,500	21.57	1.09
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers	530	$59,700	$60,370	1.31	0.99
Chefs and Head Cooks	460	$51,210	$56,320	1.13	0.88
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders	120	$59,230	$59,560	0.29	0.33
Chemical Technicians	50	$57,000	$58,550	0.13	0.36
Chemists	150	$87,560	$96,700	0.37	0.70
Chief Executives	1,230	$290,870	$276,500	3.03	2.31
Child, Family, and School Social Workers	800	$56,280	$59,060	1.99	0.79
Childcare Workers	1,720	$29,760	$31,630	4.25	1.27
Chiropractors	240	$74,810	$77,580	0.60	2.37
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians	380	$72,470	$70,510	0.93	2.11
Civil Engineers	830	$97,330	$102,460	2.06	0.87
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators	2,100	$73,710	$74,120	5.20	2.49
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment	990	$36,770	$36,490	2.45	1.00
Clergy	80	$61,640	$62,710	0.19	0.53
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists	—	$84,740	$102,810	—	—
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians	700	$50,240	$59,010	1.72	0.80
Coaches and Scouts	860	$46,710	$51,920	2.12	1.32
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	380	$47,820	$51,790	0.95	0.93
Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers	90	$46,700	$52,930	0.23	1.34
Commercial and Industrial Designers	90	$77,570	$79,560	0.21	0.99
Commercial Pilots	130	$121,490	$135,630	0.32	1.04
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary	40	$76,580	$77,410	0.09	0.49
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other	70	$48,310	$50,170	0.17	0.25
Community Health Workers	70	$46,790	$50,570	0.18	0.45
Compensation and Benefits Managers	60	$150,850	$157,470	0.15	1.01
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists	470	$77,990	$80,000	1.17	1.62
Compliance Officers	1,560	$84,590	$88,380	3.87	1.44
Computer and Information Systems Managers	2,050	$164,840	$166,630	5.07	1.17
Computer Network Architects	640	$108,280	$114,680	1.59	1.38
Computer Network Support Specialists	640	$62,050	$67,540	1.58	1.68
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators	430	$58,870	$55,470	1.06	0.97
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers	80	$67,650	$68,890	0.20	1.07
Computer Occupations, All Other	1,770	$109,490	$109,350	4.39	1.57
Computer Programmers	320	$79,200	$85,640	0.80	1.34
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary	40	$79,800	$84,590	0.10	0.45
Computer Systems Analysts	2,680	$102,070	$102,650	6.62	1.98
Computer User Support Specialists	2,110	$59,450	$60,400	5.21	1.13
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers	150	$47,330	$50,320	0.37	0.88
Conservation Scientists	100	$76,540	$76,080	0.24	1.43
Construction and Building Inspectors	390	$73,910	$72,010	0.97	1.03
Construction Laborers	3,510	$49,980	$54,000	8.69	1.23
Construction Managers	1,020	$103,920	$120,070	2.52	1.03
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door	80	$95,380	$88,300	0.21	0.67
Cooks, Fast Food	1,980	$30,360	$29,290	4.90	1.19
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria	1,670	$36,320	$36,120	4.14	1.46
Cooks, Restaurant	3,320	$36,070	$36,980	8.23	0.91
Cooks, Short Order	270	$36,760	$36,670	0.68	0.76
Correctional Officers and Jailers	610	$63,230	$62,810	1.51	0.62
Cost Estimators	550	$78,500	$79,690	1.35	0.94
Counselors, All Other	30	$73,380	$76,610	0.08	0.42
Counter and Rental Clerks	580	$38,920	$43,450	1.44	0.56
Couriers and Messengers	190	$39,270	$39,360	0.48	1.09
Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners	50	$82,040	$87,100	0.11	1.35
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks	270	$57,300	$55,450	0.66	0.57
Crane and Tower Operators	90	$75,760	$72,200	0.23	0.84
Credit Analysts	160	$80,190	$90,650	0.39	0.94
Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks	80	$57,440	$55,090	0.20	2.53
Credit Counselors	140	$49,160	$51,770	0.34	1.91
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	120	$55,160	$55,050	0.29	1.71
Curators	40	$48,600	$59,370	0.10	1.26
Customer Service Representatives	12,070	$48,880	$51,200	29.86	1.79
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	150	$52,920	$53,570	0.37	1.29
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	200	$48,510	$48,480	0.49	0.45
Data Entry Keyers	460	$42,580	$46,590	1.14	1.40
Data Scientists	1,240	$103,030	$104,930	3.07	1.82
Database Administrators	130	$109,750	$113,060	0.32	0.72
Database Architects	140	$120,030	$120,240	0.34	0.79
Demonstrators and Product Promoters	130	$37,670	$38,030	0.33	0.78
Dental Assistants	660	$50,020	$52,570	1.64	0.66
Dental Hygienists	750	$93,660	$88,400	1.86	1.30
Dental Laboratory Technicians	50	$47,550	$51,230	0.12	0.53
Dentists, General	360	$209,300	$204,670	0.88	1.11
Detectives and Criminal Investigators	220	$79,560	$87,020	0.55	0.74
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers	170	$87,080	$89,090	0.43	0.75
Dietetic Technicians	80	$37,540	$36,050	0.21	1.03
Dietitians and Nutritionists	210	$65,820	$65,890	0.52	1.05
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers	790	$27,730	$26,510	1.95	0.56
Directors, Religious Activities and Education	70	$66,140	$71,820	0.17	1.17
Dishwashers	930	$30,450	$30,510	2.31	0.75
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance	510	$44,730	$50,620	1.25	0.96
Drafters, All Other	70	$62,840	$60,420	0.17	1.81
Driver/Sales Workers	1,000	$46,330	$45,410	2.46	0.94
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers	80	$49,670	$51,920	0.20	0.37
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas	60	$55,920	$55,410	0.14	1.15
Economists	40	$96,310	$107,440	0.09	0.82
Editors	260	$63,720	$67,280	0.65	1.10
Education Administrators, All Other	100	$104,810	$117,110	0.25	0.70
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary	850	$117,980	$118,360	2.09	0.99
Education Administrators, Postsecondary	370	$83,180	$105,840	0.92	0.79
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare	300	$49,210	$54,570	0.76	1.59
Education Teachers, Postsecondary	100	$48,090	$53,580	0.25	0.64
Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other	270	$36,560	$42,670	0.68	0.89
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors	650	$57,580	$61,500	1.60	0.70
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers	40	$49,360	$50,430	0.10	1.07
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians	230	$76,440	$77,310	0.57	0.93
Electrical and Electronics Drafters	40	$74,470	$75,130	0.09	0.81
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment	130	$70,180	$69,620	0.33	0.79
Electrical Engineers	280	$107,040	$113,210	0.69	0.54
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	200	$102,230	$95,160	0.49	0.58
Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers	350	$43,660	$46,980	0.86	0.54
Electricians	2,870	$62,840	$65,060	7.10	1.46
Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians	60	$78,150	$73,980	0.15	1.54
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer	120	$81,330	$81,700	0.29	0.47
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education	3,640	$61,650	$59,400	9.00	1.01
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs	450	$63,650	$63,540	1.12	1.13
Emergency Medical Technicians	280	$42,470	$48,100	0.70	0.61
Emergency Medicine Physicians	50	$426,310	$357,720	0.12	0.57
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other	70	$51,200	$59,820	0.17	0.43
Engineers, All Other	260	$100,880	$107,420	0.64	0.64
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary	60	$76,960	$73,630	0.15	0.40
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling	190	$76,800	$80,180	0.47	1.91
Environmental Engineers	80	$94,800	$92,460	0.21	0.84
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health	130	$46,950	$54,080	0.31	1.40
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health	240	$81,220	$84,630	0.60	1.05
Epidemiologists	30	$83,650	$86,370	0.08	1.05
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining	80	$61,830	$62,330	0.20	0.88
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants	1,740	$64,990	$67,700	4.31	1.46
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors	920	$38,700	$42,160	2.28	1.10
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	90	$52,560	$53,220	0.21	0.56
Facilities Managers	590	$103,860	$102,920	1.46	1.45
Family Medicine Physicians	250	$265,200	$310,640	0.62	0.90
Farm and Home Management Educators	90	$43,720	$56,700	0.23	4.38
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians	240	$63,750	$66,110	0.59	2.41
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse	160	$36,360	$37,870	0.39	0.23
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals	50	$40,120	$41,360	0.12	0.55
Fast Food and Counter Workers	10,060	$29,140	$29,940	24.88	1.00
File Clerks	80	$49,810	$49,270	0.19	0.41
Financial and Investment Analysts	1,160	$98,490	$106,230	2.87	1.23
Financial Clerks, All Other	40	$51,770	$54,680	0.10	0.45
Financial Examiners	460	$85,450	$97,950	1.14	2.62
Financial Managers	3,800	$154,140	$166,200	9.40	1.74
Financial Risk Specialists	350	$108,110	$120,690	0.86	2.09
Financial Specialists, All Other	680	$80,340	$86,020	1.69	1.99
Firefighters	730	$56,910	$65,030	1.81	0.81
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers	2,720	$82,090	$84,440	6.73	1.29
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers	50	$90,370	$90,750	0.13	0.37
First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services	390	$42,040	$46,400	0.97	1.46
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers	40	$50,560	$61,540	0.11	0.62
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers	160	$110,210	$99,800	0.39	0.61
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers	2,690	$42,650	$44,120	6.66	0.85
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers	540	$47,600	$49,700	1.35	1.17
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers	280	$58,690	$61,940	0.69	0.82
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers	1,400	$79,230	$81,280	3.47	0.87
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers	920	$98,590	$108,110	2.27	1.65
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers	3,100	$71,690	$72,940	7.67	0.83
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers	220	$38,920	$42,390	0.55	0.75
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives	330	$117,790	$113,620	0.81	0.81
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers	1,300	$71,150	$74,110	3.22	0.74
First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other	40	$74,530	$72,170	0.10	0.72
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers	2,650	$47,800	$52,730	6.54	0.91
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers	120	$45,700	$56,090	0.29	0.55
First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors	1,690	$61,340	$65,310	4.18	1.04
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles	50	$63,200	$60,770	0.12	0.81
Floral Designers	90	$37,590	$40,970	0.22	0.86
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders	40	$49,780	$49,380	0.11	0.83
Food Batchmakers	500	$47,010	$46,410	1.25	1.11
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other	40	$34,290	$35,660	0.11	0.20
Food Preparation Workers	770	$33,120	$34,780	1.89	0.33
Food Processing Workers, All Other	130	$42,960	$43,480	0.32	0.77
Food Science Technicians	140	$48,820	$49,130	0.34	3.61
Food Scientists and Technologists	160	$76,580	$80,250	0.39	4.64
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant	1,060	$33,790	$32,910	2.62	1.38
Food Service Managers	410	$66,860	$70,610	1.02	0.67
Forensic Science Technicians	90	$71,160	$71,940	0.23	1.83
Forest and Conservation Technicians	30	$54,940	$57,250	0.09	0.44
Fundraisers	340	$65,060	$68,630	0.85	1.19
Fundraising Managers	90	$100,850	$103,720	0.22	0.89
Funeral Home Managers	30	$90,410	$96,180	0.08	0.90
Gas Plant Operators	100	$95,260	$90,090	0.26	2.24
General and Operations Managers	8,370	$98,780	$117,430	20.71	0.92
General Internal Medicine Physicians	120	$127,190	$165,690	0.29	0.68
Glaziers	180	$62,590	$61,060	0.46	1.21
Graphic Designers	740	$56,520	$57,110	1.83	1.44
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	120	$44,890	$47,390	0.30	0.71
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists	870	$35,640	$39,680	2.14	1.09
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers	90	$52,410	$51,260	0.23	0.69
Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors	70	$99,480	$104,310	0.16	1.17
Health Education Specialists	220	$75,750	$74,000	0.54	1.29
Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars	60	$86,790	$82,950	0.15	0.61
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary	330	$102,220	$117,360	0.81	0.57
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other	500	$49,960	$56,200	1.24	1.06
Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other	60	$97,520	$125,530	0.15	0.81
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other	110	$43,090	$51,760	0.28	1.26
Healthcare Social Workers	400	$62,360	$62,670	1.00	0.83
Healthcare Support Workers, All Other	120	$46,310	$49,560	0.30	0.42
Hearing Aid Specialists	50	$63,920	$67,700	0.11	1.58
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers	900	$62,640	$66,600	2.23	0.85
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	7,840	$60,720	$63,480	19.39	1.46
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers	230	$42,420	$43,220	0.56	0.91
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	—	$47,710	$47,150	—	—
Helpers--Production Workers	200	$52,050	$48,440	0.51	0.48
Highway Maintenance Workers	560	$60,900	$62,190	1.37	1.38
Home Appliance Repairers	70	$43,440	$50,380	0.17	0.85
Home Health and Personal Care Aides	6,210	$36,350	$36,820	15.36	0.55
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop	850	$28,270	$30,890	2.09	0.75
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks	690	$34,180	$33,390	1.71	1.02
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping	310	$50,800	$51,340	0.76	1.31
Human Resources Managers	520	$138,140	$153,060	1.30	0.91
Human Resources Specialists	2,450	$71,600	$78,330	6.07	1.03
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians	90	$78,700	$75,580	0.22	0.46
Industrial Engineers	520	$98,270	$100,390	1.29	0.55
Industrial Machinery Mechanics	750	$63,590	$65,910	1.85	0.65
Industrial Production Managers	510	$107,550	$120,550	1.25	0.79
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators	1,400	$49,080	$49,520	3.47	0.70
Information and Record Clerks, All Other	140	$50,390	$51,190	0.35	0.41
Information Security Analysts	720	$123,740	$123,410	1.79	1.46
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers	1,220	$50,850	$52,360	3.02	0.79
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other	720	$49,060	$50,660	1.78	1.57
Instructional Coordinators	770	$76,600	$78,310	1.92	1.31
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall	200	$70,410	$62,440	0.49	1.70
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage	70	$80,370	$72,260	0.17	2.34
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks	1,360	$46,770	$50,040	3.36	2.44
Insurance Sales Agents	2,940	$61,140	$77,590	7.27	2.36
Insurance Underwriters	790	$79,230	$91,160	1.96	2.90
Interior Designers	190	$57,840	$71,830	0.46	1.00
Interpreters and Translators	120	$55,400	$55,750	0.30	0.89
Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan	430	$39,810	$42,600	1.06	1.11
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	5,720	$35,000	$36,270	14.14	1.00
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers	—	$56,730	$56,490	—	—
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates	90	$147,510	$133,430	0.21	1.39
Judicial Law Clerks	30	$63,140	$71,100	0.08	0.93
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education	210	$59,370	$59,300	0.53	0.76
Labor Relations Specialists	220	$81,960	$102,160	0.55	1.33
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand	7,000	$46,370	$45,160	17.32	0.91
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers	2,230	$45,180	$43,500	5.51	0.90
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers	510	$34,380	$34,180	1.27	1.00
Lawyers	1,760	$134,560	$159,230	4.36	0.90
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants	400	$47,430	$52,040	1.00	1.00
Legal Support Workers, All Other	170	$44,470	$55,150	0.42	1.39
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists	280	$75,960	$70,210	0.70	0.82
Library Assistants, Clerical	310	$30,750	$32,780	0.78	1.42
Library Technicians	310	$46,840	$47,450	0.77	1.74
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses	1,040	$63,670	$65,900	2.58	0.62
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other	130	$43,960	$47,540	0.33	0.70
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers	370	$26,480	$26,100	0.91	0.90
Light Truck Drivers	3,470	$43,200	$45,780	8.57	1.36
Loan Interviewers and Clerks	780	$52,970	$56,370	1.93	1.82
Loan Officers	650	$101,190	$101,800	1.60	0.91
Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants	110	$23,830	$25,710	0.27	2.73
Lodging Managers	130	$60,740	$63,100	0.33	1.20
Logisticians	520	$77,860	$80,430	1.28	0.79
Machinists	210	$59,290	$56,640	0.52	0.28
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists	60	$85,070	$86,240	0.15	0.53
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	1,900	$34,360	$33,950	4.71	0.85
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service	400	$35,720	$38,270	0.98	2.76
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General	3,780	$50,780	$54,500	9.34	0.95
Maintenance Workers, Machinery	90	$60,000	$61,720	0.22	0.56
Management Analysts	2,110	$90,730	$93,960	5.21	0.90
Managers, All Other	1,420	$139,110	$152,370	3.52	0.88
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists	3,440	$76,580	$81,870	8.51	1.47
Marketing Managers	950	$135,140	$147,400	2.35	0.93
Marriage and Family Therapists	80	$63,380	$73,260	0.20	0.45
Massage Therapists	150	$76,090	$66,670	0.37	0.58
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary	50	$74,030	$71,960	0.14	0.44
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers	180	$45,750	$42,550	0.44	0.47
Mechanical Door Repairers	120	$64,260	$63,060	0.31	1.77
Mechanical Drafters	160	$75,510	$75,100	0.40	1.55
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians	110	$105,160	$108,940	0.27	1.15
Mechanical Engineers	390	$85,490	$96,830	0.95	0.50
Medical and Health Services Managers	1,330	$101,550	$120,720	3.30	0.86
Medical Appliance Technicians	30	$49,450	$47,430	0.08	1.13
Medical Assistants	1,780	$46,920	$46,440	4.40	0.84
Medical Equipment Preparers	110	$45,020	$45,210	0.28	0.57
Medical Equipment Repairers	270	$60,540	$64,150	0.68	1.60
Medical Records Specialists	490	$54,270	$56,790	1.22	0.97
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists	140	$95,200	$100,590	0.35	0.31
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants	2,350	$42,160	$43,150	5.81	0.94
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners	370	$60,410	$61,350	0.90	0.98
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers	290	$49,750	$57,400	0.71	0.84
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers	590	$43,320	$44,140	1.47	1.38
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	1,150	$60,980	$58,380	2.83	0.71
Millwrights	100	$63,950	$67,320	0.26	1.00
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators	2,880	$47,880	$47,530	7.13	0.79
Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers	50	$46,300	$50,010	0.12	0.68
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	310	$55,170	$54,860	0.78	1.27
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines	760	$65,810	$69,410	1.88	1.66
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic	90	$47,400	$48,880	0.23	1.06
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	360	$42,290	$44,970	0.89	0.92
Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers	110	$70,100	$69,260	0.27	1.64
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	500	$48,700	$50,350	1.23	1.53
Museum Technicians and Conservators	30	$68,960	$65,680	0.08	1.06
Music Directors and Composers	70	$61,740	$63,820	0.16	2.01
Natural Sciences Managers	—	$118,740	$136,350	—	—
Network and Computer Systems Administrators	1,000	$89,800	$94,730	2.47	1.22
New Accounts Clerks	260	$46,060	$46,780	0.65	2.74
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists	120	$54,230	$62,070	0.30	1.20
Nurse Anesthetists	80	$237,670	$255,000	0.20	0.60
Nurse Practitioners	820	$132,230	$138,820	2.02	0.97
Nursing Assistants	4,660	$43,940	$42,640	11.54	1.24
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary	120	$80,180	$74,480	0.30	0.60
Obstetricians and Gynecologists	40	$369,390	$354,830	0.10	0.77
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists	390	$92,310	$94,460	0.96	1.07
Occupational Health and Safety Technicians	50	$59,080	$62,100	0.12	0.64
Occupational Therapists	340	$78,770	$87,030	0.84	0.80
Occupational Therapy Assistants	80	$64,250	$66,830	0.21	0.63
Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other	1,340	$66,710	$60,430	3.32	2.69
Office Clerks, General	6,010	$46,540	$46,890	14.86	0.94
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer	110	$38,550	$42,500	0.26	1.63
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators	1,260	$62,610	$66,340	3.12	1.01
Operations Research Analysts	190	$83,410	$94,070	0.48	0.68
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians	170	$48,570	$46,890	0.42	0.91
Opticians, Dispensing	240	$46,080	$46,550	0.59	1.24
Optometrists	110	$129,780	$131,630	0.28	1.00
Order Clerks	140	$43,010	$46,500	0.35	0.73
Orderlies	70	$37,090	$38,250	0.18	0.53
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics	100	$47,270	$49,180	0.24	1.03
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders	850	$51,100	$49,050	2.09	0.86
Packers and Packagers, Hand	680	$37,540	$38,970	1.68	0.47
Painters, Construction and Maintenance	620	$57,410	$55,610	1.53	1.05
Paralegals and Legal Assistants	1,190	$60,080	$62,280	2.94	1.16
Paramedics	190	$61,980	$59,240	0.46	0.71
Parking Attendants	380	$30,080	$30,870	0.93	1.05
Parts Salespersons	880	$48,850	$49,930	2.19	1.26
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks	300	$58,600	$63,410	0.75	0.76
Pediatricians, General	90	$271,190	$213,930	0.22	0.87
Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other	90	$30,700	$29,780	0.23	0.59
Personal Financial Advisors	640	$94,270	$127,440	1.59	0.93
Personal Service Managers, All Other	50	$82,330	$78,330	0.13	1.92
Pest Control Workers	200	$48,200	$45,590	0.50	0.76
Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation	100	$46,900	$46,670	0.25	1.42
Pharmacists	850	$141,110	$140,670	2.10	1.01
Pharmacy Aides	340	$35,120	$33,910	0.83	3.28
Pharmacy Technicians	1,160	$46,620	$45,530	2.88	0.95
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary	30	$73,760	$71,260	0.09	0.66
Phlebotomists	300	$38,490	$40,960	0.73	0.80
Photographers	170	$42,080	$46,490	0.42	1.27
Physical Therapist Aides	100	$29,120	$30,090	0.25	0.81
Physical Therapist Assistants	170	$61,360	$64,430	0.43	0.60
Physical Therapists	740	$97,790	$94,850	1.82	1.06
Physician Assistants	340	$133,830	$137,940	0.83	0.80
Physicians, All Other	460	$309,880	$283,770	1.13	0.51
Physicians, Pathologists	—	$239,200 or more	$239,200 or more	—	—
Physicists	50	$178,110	$171,100	0.11	0.85
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	2,150	$75,040	$73,230	5.33	1.78
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers	1,240	$81,810	$83,530	3.07	0.71
Postal Service Clerks	160	$61,710	$60,420	0.40	0.85
Postal Service Mail Carriers	690	$64,250	$64,110	1.72	0.81
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators	840	$60,530	$60,990	2.07	3.05
Power Plant Operators	—	$100,700	$92,510	—	—
Prepress Technicians and Workers	40	$54,000	$51,410	0.09	0.60
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education	1,800	$33,850	$35,710	4.44	1.44
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials	50	$33,510	$32,170	0.14	0.80
Print Binding and Finishing Workers	100	$38,370	$43,680	0.24	1.13
Printing Press Operators	520	$43,450	$44,040	1.28	1.38
Private Detectives and Investigators	40	$41,110	$53,130	0.10	0.43
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists	220	$79,370	$75,690	0.54	0.93
Procurement Clerks	150	$51,520	$53,550	0.38	1.06
Producers and Directors	210	$62,370	$71,680	0.52	0.57
Production Workers, All Other	560	$40,660	$44,050	1.40	0.86
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks	720	$60,320	$61,970	1.77	0.71
Project Management Specialists	2,640	$101,150	$110,440	6.52	0.95
Property Appraisers and Assessors	190	$92,370	$100,310	0.47	1.28
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers	730	$60,600	$73,660	1.81	0.91
Psychiatric Technicians	300	$39,750	$41,000	0.73	0.73
Psychiatrists	50	$358,020	$305,880	0.13	0.70
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary	40	$63,920	$63,930	0.10	0.38
Public Relations Managers	270	$126,520	$136,690	0.67	1.39
Public Relations Specialists	1,050	$70,660	$76,050	2.61	1.43
Public Safety Telecommunicators	170	$64,380	$66,670	0.42	0.64
Purchasing Managers	140	$122,910	$132,490	0.34	0.64
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians	560	$67,640	$71,620	1.40	0.94
Radiologists	—	$239,200 or more	$239,200 or more	—	—
Receptionists and Information Clerks	1,260	$37,910	$37,940	3.13	0.53
Recreation Workers	630	$36,150	$37,490	1.56	0.73
Recreational Therapists	50	$62,000	$66,860	0.12	1.20
Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians	70	$46,490	$51,080	0.18	1.59
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors	440	$56,990	$55,030	1.09	1.15
Registered Nurses	8,130	$78,630	$81,710	20.13	0.93
Rehabilitation Counselors	660	$46,200	$44,950	1.64	2.69
Religious Workers, All Other	110	$47,680	$46,140	0.27	2.63
Residential Advisors	160	$38,310	$41,680	0.41	0.75
Respiratory Therapists	200	$75,650	$74,040	0.48	0.54
Retail Salespersons	11,000	$33,430	$35,600	27.22	1.09
Roofers	280	$49,510	$54,200	0.69	0.79
Sales and Related Workers, All Other	250	$36,160	$43,610	0.63	1.05
Sales Engineers	160	$83,450	$95,180	0.40	1.20
Sales Managers	1,200	$136,570	$151,890	2.98	0.73
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel	2,400	$65,510	$73,280	5.93	0.73
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products	4,900	$67,040	$77,940	12.12	1.52
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products	1,010	$126,830	$127,950	2.50	1.36
School Psychologists	100	$76,320	$75,120	0.25	0.60
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	2,660	$62,480	$64,410	6.58	0.96
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive	3,110	$47,500	$48,700	7.70	0.70
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents	940	$65,670	$91,320	2.32	0.74
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers	280	$64,270	$66,960	0.69	1.25
Security Guards	2,360	$37,550	$44,300	5.84	0.71
Self-Enrichment Teachers	930	$34,880	$40,960	2.30	1.08
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	130	$50,470	$51,250	0.32	0.82
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners	150	$63,750	$63,510	0.36	1.82
Set and Exhibit Designers	40	$50,640	$53,600	0.10	1.47
Sewing Machine Operators	80	$37,270	$37,460	0.20	0.30
Sheet Metal Workers	350	$66,000	$67,550	0.88	1.14
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks	1,400	$47,300	$47,730	3.46	0.66
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs	540	$34,680	$34,340	1.34	0.84
Skincare Specialists	300	$38,730	$74,530	0.74	1.59
Social and Community Service Managers	660	$73,840	$76,890	1.63	1.21
Social and Human Service Assistants	1,370	$45,760	$47,270	3.38	1.20
Social Science Research Assistants	40	$33,840	$38,590	0.10	0.51
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other	40	$91,920	$94,160	0.11	0.45
Social Workers, All Other	90	$94,930	$93,240	0.22	0.55
Software Developers	4,240	$126,460	$122,980	10.48	0.97
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers	440	$98,190	$95,710	1.10	0.92
Soil and Plant Scientists	430	$132,290	$123,060	1.07	10.57
Sound Engineering Technicians	40	$57,400	$52,010	0.10	1.21
Special Education Teachers, All Other	40	$73,110	$70,000	0.10	0.46
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School	490	$59,780	$62,300	1.22	0.73
Special Education Teachers, Middle School	—	$63,890	$61,820	—	—
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School	580	$60,310	$63,000	1.42	1.35
Speech-Language Pathologists	380	$84,080	$88,630	0.95	0.80
Statisticians	—	$58,840	$71,190	—	—
Stockers and Order Fillers	7,430	$36,800	$39,220	18.38	1.01
Structural Iron and Steel Workers	—	$80,080	$75,420	—	—
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters	100	$59,470	$55,670	0.25	0.75
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors	920	$61,320	$65,150	2.27	0.72
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term	1,780	$37,750	$40,370	4.40	1.30
Surgical Technologists	230	$62,250	$62,650	0.57	0.75
Surveying and Mapping Technicians	120	$60,040	$62,280	0.29	0.78
Surveyors	150	$78,860	$90,670	0.37	1.14
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service	30	$41,100	$41,670	0.09	0.39
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers	50	$38,910	$37,840	0.11	1.24
Tapers	70	$67,050	$67,030	0.17	2.06
Tax Preparers	210	$63,560	$66,960	0.53	1.07
Teachers and Instructors, All Other	150	$54,080	$57,250	0.36	0.50
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary	5,140	$34,620	$33,080	12.72	1.39
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary	90	$50,450	$51,900	0.23	0.22
Technical Writers	200	$69,450	$75,770	0.51	1.73
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers	510	$66,920	$68,310	1.27	1.40
Telemarketers	400	$32,180	$34,390	0.99	2.62
Tellers	1,120	$45,450	$44,080	2.78	1.31
Tire Builders	310	$63,060	$57,260	0.78	5.81
Tire Repairers and Changers	240	$38,480	$41,730	0.59	0.84
Tool and Die Makers	90	$73,170	$72,690	0.23	0.63
Tour and Travel Guides	110	$22,490	$27,590	0.28	0.81
Training and Development Managers	100	$120,640	$129,860	0.26	0.84
Training and Development Specialists	1,580	$74,610	$81,780	3.92	1.33
Transportation Security Screeners	110	$61,590	$57,350	0.26	0.81
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers	470	$100,880	$112,490	1.15	0.81
Travel Agents	80	$47,420	$50,380	0.20	0.58
Tree Trimmers and Pruners	160	$42,080	$44,780	0.40	1.12
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials	70	$34,370	$42,090	0.18	1.76
Urban and Regional Planners	80	$85,980	$89,380	0.21	0.73
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers	320	$26,870	$27,140	0.78	1.00
Veterinarians	210	$130,900	$130,570	0.53	0.98
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers	320	$37,560	$38,470	0.80	0.98
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians	220	$47,780	$46,700	0.55	0.66
Waiters and Waitresses	6,250	$20,410	$27,240	15.47	1.06
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators	330	$67,450	$66,700	0.83	1.00
Web and Digital Interface Designers	210	$75,680	$78,730	0.51	0.71
Web Developers	150	$61,960	$73,400	0.36	0.81
Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping	60	$50,490	$51,680	0.14	0.42
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers	1,170	$59,980	$58,610	2.89	1.08
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	260	$52,980	$51,690	0.63	3.11
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing	70	$60,070	$54,550	0.18	0.46
Word Processors and Typists	100	$45,100	$45,730	0.26	1.14
Writers and Authors	90	$63,010	$67,610	0.22	0.71

Colleges in this area

12 colleges in the federal directory have a campus in this area, listed alphabetically; MajorPays does not rank colleges. Each name links to the college’s profile.

College	Type	Level	Students, fall 2024
Aveda Institute-Des Moines	Private for-profit	Less than 2-year	244
Body Wisdom Massage Therapy School	Private for-profit	Less than 2-year	45
Des Moines Area Community College	Public	2-year	23,697
Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center	Private nonprofit	4-year or above	1,534
Drake University	Private nonprofit	4-year or above	4,345
Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary	Private nonprofit	4-year or above	611
Grand View University	Private nonprofit	4-year or above	1,856
Iowa School of Beauty-Des Moines	Private for-profit	2-year	74
La James International College-Johnston	Private for-profit	2-year	141
Mercy College of Health Sciences	Private nonprofit	4-year or above	869
Simpson College	Private nonprofit	4-year or above	1,251
UnityPoint Health-Des Moines School of Radiologic Technology	Private nonprofit	2-year	16

Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS directory (HD 2024, core-based statistical area of the campus) and Fall Enrollment 2024 (total headcount). A count of students is the size of the college, not its quality; the Department has not endorsed this presentation.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, metropolitan area estimates (cross-industry, all ownerships). Wages are pay for all workers in an occupation in this area, not any one person or employer; a dash means BLS does not publish the figure (often to protect privacy or because the estimate is unreliable), and “or more” marks a wage at or above BLS’s top reporting limit. Concentration is the BLS location quotient: the occupation's share of jobs in this area divided by its share nationally (1.00 = the same share as the U.S.; above 1.00 = a larger share); it says nothing about pay or openings. Jobs per 1,000 is the occupation's jobs per 1,000 jobs of all kinds in this area. Occupations that BLS reports only as hourly wages are not listed, and BLS shows some wages above its top limit as plain numbers while others read “or more”. Occupations are listed alphabetically; click a heading to sort. MajorPays does not rank places or occupations. MajorPays selected and reorganized these figures; the Bureau of Labor Statistics has not approved or endorsed this presentation. MajorPays does not provide advice. See Data sources.

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