General and Operations Manager Salary in Des Moines, IA
General and Operations Managers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median $98,780 a year — 7% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $75,220 take-home, or $6,268 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median general and operations manager salary in Des Moines, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,902
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,124
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,432
- Iowa income tax$3,102
- Take-home pay$75,220
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.80% state
General and Operations Manager pay by experience in Des Moines, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,950 | $22.57 | $38,772 | $3,231 |
| 25th percentile | $65,010 | $31.25 | $52,597 | $4,383 |
| Median (50th) | $98,780 | $47.49 | $75,220 | $6,268 |
| 75th percentile | $144,990 | $69.71 | $105,509 | $8,792 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $208,630 | $100.30 | $148,007 | $12,334 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $98,780 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 general and operations manager's $75,220 take-home pay has the buying power of $82,027 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
General and Operations Manager jobs are about as common in Des Moines, IA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.92).
Best-paying cities for general and operations managers, adjusted for cost of living
Des Moines, IA ranks #119 of 380 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trenton, NJ | $181,450 | $125,919 | $122,038 |
| 2 | Sioux Falls, SD | $142,730 | $108,822 | $120,071 |
| 3 | Rapid City, SD | $130,410 | $100,401 | $112,608 |
| 4 | Midland, TX | $132,420 | $101,775 | $106,256 |
| 5 | Huntsville, AL | $136,340 | $97,902 | $105,190 |
| 6 | Boulder, CO | $152,100 | $109,242 | $103,841 |
| 7 | Hartford, CT | $148,080 | $105,744 | $102,918 |
| 8 | Elkhart, IN | $122,070 | $91,129 | $100,890 |
| 119 | Des Moines, IA | $98,780 | $75,220 | $82,027 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 380 metros →
General and Operations Manager salaries elsewhere in Iowa
- Ames, IA — $97,700
- Dubuque, IA — $92,530
- Sioux City, IA — $90,230
- Davenport, IA — $91,140
- Cedar Rapids, IA — $90,620
- Waterloo, IA — $82,400
- Iowa City, IA — $81,120
Frequently asked questions
How much does a general and operations manager make in Des Moines, IA?
The median general and operations manager salary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $98,780 a year, or about $47.49 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $65,010 and $144,990.
What is a general and operations manager’s take-home pay in Des Moines, IA?
On the median $98,780 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $75,220 a year ($6,268 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,102 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a general and operations manager?
Pay here is 7% below the national median of $105,770. Local prices are 8.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $82,027 would in a typical U.S. city. Des Moines, IA ranks #119 of 380 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a general and operations manager 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 general and operations manager’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Des Moines, IA
- Chief Executive — $239,200+
- 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