Cashier Salary in Des Moines, IA
Cashiers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median $29,640 a year — 10% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $25,521 take-home, or $2,127 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cashier salary in Des Moines, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,377
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,838
- Medicare (1.45%)$430
- Iowa income tax$475
- Take-home pay$25,521
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.80% state
Cashier pay by experience in Des Moines, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,140 | $11.61 | $21,224 | $1,769 |
| 25th percentile | $28,800 | $13.85 | $24,878 | $2,073 |
| Median (50th) | $29,640 | $14.25 | $25,521 | $2,127 |
| 75th percentile | $35,560 | $17.10 | $30,053 | $2,504 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,610 | $18.08 | $31,622 | $2,635 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $29,640 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 cashier's $25,521 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,831 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Cashier jobs are about as common in Des Moines, IA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.09).
Best-paying cities for cashiers, adjusted for cost of living
Des Moines, IA ranks #159 of 387 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $44,210 | $37,703 | $33,926 |
| 2 | Yakima, WA | $36,010 | $31,114 | $32,565 |
| 3 | Longview, WA | $36,350 | $31,387 | $32,177 |
| 4 | Rochester, MN | $34,960 | $29,219 | $32,172 |
| 5 | Lewiston, ID | $34,660 | $29,301 | $32,142 |
| 6 | San Jose, CA | $42,960 | $35,432 | $32,088 |
| 7 | Fargo, ND | $33,420 | $29,033 | $31,950 |
| 8 | Mount Vernon, WA | $37,960 | $32,681 | $31,902 |
| 159 | Des Moines, IA | $29,640 | $25,521 | $27,831 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 387 metros →
Cashier salaries elsewhere in Iowa
- Davenport, IA — $31,200
- Dubuque, IA — $30,500
- Sioux City, IA — $29,470
- Waterloo, IA — $29,320
- Ames, IA — $29,230
- Cedar Rapids, IA — $29,270
- Iowa City, IA — $29,080
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cashier make in Des Moines, IA?
The median cashier salary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $29,640 a year, or about $14.25 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $28,800 and $35,560.
What is a cashier’s take-home pay in Des Moines, IA?
On the median $29,640 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $25,521 a year ($2,127 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $475 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a cashier?
Pay here is 10% below the national median of $32,880. Local prices are 8.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,831 would in a typical U.S. city. Des Moines, IA ranks #159 of 387 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cashier 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) — 51% of a median cashier’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Des Moines, IA
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products — $126,830
- First-Line Supervisor of Non-Retail Sales Workers — $98,590
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $67,040
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $65,670
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $65,510
- Insurance Sales Agent — $61,140
- Parts Salesperson — $48,850
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $47,800
- Counter and Rental Clerk — $38,920
- Retail Salesperson — $33,430