Insurance Sales Agent Salary in Des Moines, IA
Insurance Sales Agents in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median $61,140 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $49,634 take-home, or $4,136 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median insurance sales agent salary in Des Moines, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,157
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,791
- Medicare (1.45%)$887
- Iowa income tax$1,672
- Take-home pay$49,634
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.80% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Insurance Sales Agent pay by experience in Des Moines, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,620 | $13.28 | $23,957 | $1,996 |
| 25th percentile | $45,650 | $21.95 | $37,777 | $3,148 |
| Median (50th) | $61,140 | $29.39 | $49,634 | $4,136 |
| 75th percentile | $98,910 | $47.55 | $75,306 | $6,276 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,510 | $61.78 | $94,871 | $7,906 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $61,140 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 insurance sales agent's $49,634 take-home pay has the buying power of $54,126 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 2.4× the national concentration of insurance sales agent jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for insurance sales agents, adjusted for cost of living
Des Moines, IA ranks #15 of 41 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia, PA | $81,540 | $63,690 | $62,104 |
| 2 | Cleveland, OH | $72,020 | $58,298 | $62,070 |
| 3 | Minneapolis, MN | $84,670 | $64,161 | $61,210 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $95,640 | $70,204 | $60,724 |
| 5 | Atlanta, GA | $75,990 | $58,968 | $58,934 |
| 6 | Sacramento, CA | $80,940 | $61,421 | $57,581 |
| 7 | Birmingham, AL | $66,640 | $52,644 | $57,444 |
| 8 | Denver, CO | $77,590 | $60,709 | $57,391 |
| 15 | Des Moines, IA | $61,140 | $49,634 | $54,126 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 41 metros →
About the job: insurance sales agents
Sell life, property, casualty, health, automotive, or other types of insurance. May refer clients to independent brokers, work as an independent broker, or be employed by an insurance company.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.3% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a insurance sales agent make in Des Moines, IA?
The median insurance sales agent salary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $61,140 a year, or about $29.39 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $45,650 and $98,910.
What is a insurance sales agent’s take-home pay in Des Moines, IA?
On the median $61,140 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $49,634 a year ($4,136 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,672 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a insurance sales agent?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $62,280. Local prices are 8.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $54,126 would in a typical U.S. city. Des Moines, IA ranks #15 of 41 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a insurance sales agent 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) — 26% of a median insurance sales agent’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, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $67,040
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $65,510
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $47,800
- Retail Salesperson — $33,430
- Cashier — $29,640