Chief Executive Salary in Des Moines, IA
Chief Executives in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median $290,870 a year — 36% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $199,056 take-home, or $16,588 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chief executive salary in Des Moines, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$64,939
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$5,035
- Iowa income tax$10,401
- Take-home pay$199,056
Marginal rate: 35% federal + 3.80% state
Chief Executive pay by experience in Des Moines, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $96,550 | $46.42 | $73,736 | $6,145 |
| 25th percentile | $167,990 | $80.76 | $120,355 | $10,030 |
| Median (50th) | $290,870+ | $139.84 | $199,056 | $16,588 |
| 75th percentile | $345,940+ | $166.32 | $231,464 | $19,289 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $390,260+ | $187.63 | $257,547 | $21,462 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $290,870 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 chief executive's $199,056 take-home pay has the buying power of $217,070 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 2.3× the national concentration of chief executive jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for chief executives, adjusted for cost of living
Des Moines, IA ranks #7 of 55 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $239,200+ | $259,032 | $233,083 |
| 2 | Bridgeport, CT | $239,200+ | $247,855 | $231,935 |
| 3 | Charlotte, NC | $239,200+ | $220,744 | $226,758 |
| 4 | Dallas, TX | $239,200+ | $227,744 | $220,918 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $239,200+ | $226,413 | $218,556 |
| 6 | Richmond, VA | $239,200+ | $213,626 | $218,302 |
| 7 | Des Moines, IA | $239,200+ | $199,056 | $217,070 |
| 8 | Portland, OR | $239,200+ | $227,767 | $216,055 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 55 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chief executive make in Des Moines, IA?
The median chief executive salary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $290,870 a year, or about $139.84 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $167,990 and $239,200+.
What is a chief executive’s take-home pay in Des Moines, IA?
On the median $290,870 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $199,056 a year ($16,588 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $10,401 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a chief executive?
Pay here is 36% above the national median of $213,990. Local prices are 8.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $217,070 would in a typical U.S. city. Des Moines, IA ranks #7 of 55 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chief executive 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) — 7% of a median chief executive’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Des Moines, IA
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $164,840
- Financial Manager — $154,140
- Managers, All Other — $139,110
- Human Resources Manager — $138,140
- Sales Manager — $136,570
- Marketing Manager — $135,140
- Administrative Services Manager — $126,190
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary — $117,980
- Industrial Production Manager — $107,550
- Construction Manager — $103,920
- Facilities Manager — $103,860
- Medical and Health Services Manager — $101,550