Data Scientist Salary in Des Moines, IA
Data Scientists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median $103,030 a year — 14% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $78,048 take-home, or $6,504 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median data scientist salary in Des Moines, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,837
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,388
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,494
- Iowa income tax$3,263
- Take-home pay$78,048
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.80% state
Data Scientist pay by experience in Des Moines, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,480 | $31.48 | $52,957 | $4,413 |
| 25th percentile | $80,360 | $38.63 | $62,961 | $5,247 |
| Median (50th) | $103,030 | $49.53 | $78,048 | $6,504 |
| 75th percentile | $133,460 | $64.16 | $98,066 | $8,172 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $150,190 | $72.21 | $108,865 | $9,072 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $103,030 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 data scientist's $78,048 take-home pay has the buying power of $85,112 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 1.8× the national concentration of data scientist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for data scientists, adjusted for cost of living
Des Moines, IA ranks #26 of 72 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $164,740 | $123,866 | $111,457 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $185,080 | $122,415 | $110,860 |
| 3 | Austin, TX | $127,360 | $98,317 | $100,256 |
| 4 | Charlotte, NC | $132,460 | $97,026 | $99,669 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $170,110 | $113,734 | $98,375 |
| 6 | Dallas, TX | $127,750 | $98,583 | $95,628 |
| 7 | Jacksonville, FL | $122,680 | $95,118 | $95,611 |
| 8 | Bridgeport, CT | $141,760 | $101,803 | $95,264 |
| 26 | Des Moines, IA | $103,030 | $78,048 | $85,112 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 72 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a data scientist make in Des Moines, IA?
The median data scientist salary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $103,030 a year, or about $49.53 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $80,360 and $133,460.
What is a data scientist’s take-home pay in Des Moines, IA?
On the median $103,030 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $78,048 a year ($6,504 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,263 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a data scientist?
Pay here is 14% below the national median of $120,230. Local prices are 8.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $85,112 would in a typical U.S. city. Des Moines, IA ranks #26 of 72 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a data scientist 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) — 17% of a median data scientist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Des Moines, IA
- Software Developer — $126,460
- Information Security Analyst — $123,740
- Computer Occupations, All Other — $109,490
- Computer Network Architect — $108,280
- Computer Systems Analyst — $102,070
- Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester — $98,190
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $89,800
- Computer Network Support Specialist — $62,050
- Computer User Support Specialist — $59,450