Accountant and Auditor Salary in Des Moines, IA
Accountants and Auditors in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median $79,290 a year — 5% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $62,249 take-home, or $5,187 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median accountant and auditor salary in Des Moines, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,614
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,916
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,150
- Iowa income tax$2,361
- Take-home pay$62,249
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.80% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Accountant and Auditor pay by experience in Des Moines, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,390 | $27.11 | $45,998 | $3,833 |
| 25th percentile | $64,450 | $30.99 | $52,168 | $4,347 |
| Median (50th) | $79,290 | $38.12 | $62,249 | $5,187 |
| 75th percentile | $102,330 | $49.20 | $77,582 | $6,465 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,130 | $61.60 | $94,626 | $7,885 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $79,290 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 accountant and auditor's $62,249 take-home pay has the buying power of $67,883 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 1.3× the national concentration of accountant and auditor jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for accountants and auditors, adjusted for cost of living
Des Moines, IA ranks #23 of 90 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $121,700 | $85,775 | $77,679 |
| 2 | Charlotte, NC | $92,910 | $70,994 | $72,928 |
| 3 | Sioux Falls, SD | $80,920 | $65,757 | $72,555 |
| 4 | Trenton, NJ | $99,550 | $74,712 | $72,409 |
| 5 | Boulder, CO | $99,990 | $75,482 | $71,749 |
| 6 | Bridgeport, CT | $102,020 | $76,565 | $71,647 |
| 7 | Providence, RI | $95,020 | $72,730 | $71,463 |
| 8 | Denver, CO | $100,020 | $75,502 | $71,375 |
| 23 | Des Moines, IA | $79,290 | $62,249 | $67,883 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 90 metros →
About the job: accountants and auditors
Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.0% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a accountant and auditor make in Des Moines, IA?
The median accountant and auditor salary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $79,290 a year, or about $38.12 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $64,450 and $102,330.
What is a accountant and auditor’s take-home pay in Des Moines, IA?
On the median $79,290 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $62,249 a year ($5,187 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,361 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a accountant and auditor?
Pay here is 5% below the national median of $83,680. Local prices are 8.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $67,883 would in a typical U.S. city. Des Moines, IA ranks #23 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a accountant and auditor 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) — 21% of a median accountant and auditor’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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