Graphic Designer Salary in Des Moines, IA
Graphic Designers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median $56,520 a year — 10% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $46,098 take-home, or $3,841 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median graphic designer salary in Des Moines, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,602
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,504
- Medicare (1.45%)$820
- Iowa income tax$1,496
- Take-home pay$46,098
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.80% state
Graphic Designer pay by experience in Des Moines, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,570 | $18.06 | $31,592 | $2,633 |
| 25th percentile | $46,380 | $22.30 | $38,336 | $3,195 |
| Median (50th) | $56,520 | $27.17 | $46,098 | $3,841 |
| 75th percentile | $68,140 | $32.76 | $54,829 | $4,569 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,640 | $38.29 | $62,482 | $5,207 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $56,520 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 graphic designer's $46,098 take-home pay has the buying power of $50,270 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 1.4× the national concentration of graphic designer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for graphic designers, adjusted for cost of living
Des Moines, IA ranks #43 of 64 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $97,360 | $71,232 | $64,508 |
| 2 | Bridgeport, CT | $81,800 | $63,452 | $59,377 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $85,420 | $64,631 | $59,357 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $92,050 | $68,059 | $58,868 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $76,720 | $62,803 | $56,511 |
| 6 | Baltimore, MD | $75,790 | $58,912 | $56,382 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $78,270 | $60,199 | $55,603 |
| 8 | Austin, TX | $65,060 | $54,456 | $55,530 |
| 43 | Des Moines, IA | $56,520 | $46,098 | $50,270 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 64 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a graphic designer make in Des Moines, IA?
The median graphic designer salary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $56,520 a year, or about $27.17 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $46,380 and $68,140.
What is a graphic designer’s take-home pay in Des Moines, IA?
On the median $56,520 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $46,098 a year ($3,841 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,496 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a graphic designer?
Pay here is 10% below the national median of $62,960. Local prices are 8.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $50,270 would in a typical U.S. city. Des Moines, IA ranks #43 of 64 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a graphic designer 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) — 28% of a median graphic designer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Des Moines, IA
- Public Relations Specialist — $70,660
- Coach and Scout — $46,710
- Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer — $43,320