Electrician Salary in Des Moines, IA
Electricians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median $62,840 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $50,936 take-home, or $4,245 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median electrician salary in Des Moines, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,361
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,896
- Medicare (1.45%)$911
- Iowa income tax$1,736
- Take-home pay$50,936
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.80% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Electrician pay by experience in Des Moines, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,740 | $19.11 | $33,253 | $2,771 |
| 25th percentile | $46,850 | $22.52 | $38,695 | $3,225 |
| Median (50th) | $62,840 | $30.21 | $50,936 | $4,245 |
| 75th percentile | $80,430 | $38.67 | $63,008 | $5,251 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,650 | $44.54 | $71,140 | $5,928 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $62,840 buys in Des Moines, IA
Prices in Des Moines, IA are 8.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 15% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median electrician's $50,936 take-home pay has the buying power of $55,546 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Des Moines, IA has 1.5× the national concentration of electrician jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for electricians, adjusted for cost of living
Des Moines, IA ranks #22 of 56 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago, IL | $102,350 | $75,912 | $73,277 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $101,780 | $80,432 | $72,375 |
| 3 | Portland, OR | $105,090 | $74,395 | $70,569 |
| 4 | Kansas City, MO | $76,860 | $60,226 | $65,079 |
| 5 | St. Louis, MO | $77,170 | $60,429 | $63,551 |
| 6 | Detroit, MI | $81,990 | $63,276 | $63,088 |
| 7 | Milwaukee, WI | $77,800 | $60,819 | $62,741 |
| 8 | Rochester, NY | $77,310 | $59,640 | $61,462 |
| 22 | Des Moines, IA | $62,840 | $50,936 | $55,546 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 56 metros →
About the job: electricians
Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Apprenticeship
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +9.2% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a electrician make in Des Moines, IA?
The median electrician salary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $62,840 a year, or about $30.21 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $46,850 and $80,430.
What is a electrician’s take-home pay in Des Moines, IA?
On the median $62,840 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $50,936 a year ($4,245 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,736 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a electrician?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $63,190. Local prices are 8.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $55,546 would in a typical U.S. city. Des Moines, IA ranks #22 of 56 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a electrician afford rent in Des Moines, IA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Des Moines, IA is $1,092 a month ($1,302 for two bedrooms) — 26% of a median electrician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.