Human Resources Specialist Salary in Des Moines, IA
Human Resources Specialists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median $71,600 a year — 6% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $57,132 take-home, or $4,761 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median human resources specialist salary in Des Moines, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,922
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,038
- Iowa income tax$2,069
- Take-home pay$57,132
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.80% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Human Resources Specialist pay by experience in Des Moines, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,940 | $22.57 | $38,764 | $3,230 |
| 25th percentile | $56,050 | $26.95 | $45,738 | $3,812 |
| Median (50th) | $71,600 | $34.42 | $57,132 | $4,761 |
| 75th percentile | $97,840 | $47.04 | $74,594 | $6,216 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,470 | $57.92 | $89,655 | $7,471 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $71,600 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 human resources specialist's $57,132 take-home pay has the buying power of $62,302 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Human Resources Specialist jobs are about as common in Des Moines, IA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.03).
Best-paying cities for human resources specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Des Moines, IA ranks #14 of 62 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $112,140 | $80,063 | $72,506 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $100,830 | $74,162 | $68,111 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $92,770 | $74,094 | $66,671 |
| 4 | Durham, NC | $81,100 | $63,157 | $64,728 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $103,140 | $74,686 | $64,600 |
| 6 | Kansas City, MO | $75,190 | $59,130 | $63,894 |
| 7 | San Antonio, TX | $72,930 | $60,136 | $63,491 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $75,440 | $60,610 | $63,486 |
| 14 | Des Moines, IA | $71,600 | $57,132 | $62,302 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 62 metros →
About the job: human resources specialists
Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization. May perform other activities in multiple human resources areas.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.4% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources specialist make in Des Moines, IA?
The median human resources specialist salary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $71,600 a year, or about $34.42 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $56,050 and $97,840.
What is a human resources specialist’s take-home pay in Des Moines, IA?
On the median $71,600 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $57,132 a year ($4,761 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,069 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a human resources specialist?
Pay here is 6% below the national median of $75,940. Local prices are 8.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $62,302 would in a typical U.S. city. Des Moines, IA ranks #14 of 62 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a human resources specialist 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) — 23% of a median human resources specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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