Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist Salary in Des Moines, IA
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median $76,580 a year — 3% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $60,446 take-home, or $5,037 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median market research analyst and marketing specialist salary in Des Moines, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,018
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,748
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,110
- Iowa income tax$2,258
- Take-home pay$60,446
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.80% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist pay by experience in Des Moines, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,920 | $22.08 | $37,984 | $3,165 |
| 25th percentile | $57,770 | $27.77 | $47,055 | $3,921 |
| Median (50th) | $76,580 | $36.82 | $60,446 | $5,037 |
| 75th percentile | $102,070 | $49.07 | $77,409 | $6,451 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,100 | $61.59 | $94,606 | $7,884 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $76,580 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 market research analyst and marketing specialist's $60,446 take-home pay has the buying power of $65,916 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 1.5× the national concentration of market research analyst and marketing specialist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for market research analysts and marketing specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Des Moines, IA ranks #14 of 56 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $141,960 | $97,477 | $88,276 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $123,250 | $86,672 | $74,968 |
| 3 | Durham, NC | $93,110 | $71,127 | $72,896 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $102,170 | $80,707 | $72,622 |
| 5 | Denver, CO | $99,040 | $74,855 | $70,764 |
| 6 | Fayetteville, AR | $83,000 | $64,196 | $70,273 |
| 7 | Boulder, CO | $97,600 | $73,906 | $70,251 |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $102,390 | $75,962 | $70,162 |
| 14 | Des Moines, IA | $76,580 | $60,446 | $65,916 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 56 metros →
About the job: market research analysts and marketing specialists
Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +7.0% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a market research analyst and marketing specialist make in Des Moines, IA?
The median market research analyst and marketing specialist salary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $76,580 a year, or about $36.82 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $57,770 and $102,070.
What is a market research analyst and marketing specialist’s take-home pay in Des Moines, IA?
On the median $76,580 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $60,446 a year ($5,037 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,258 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a market research analyst and marketing specialist?
Pay here is 3% below the national median of $78,760. Local prices are 8.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $65,916 would in a typical U.S. city. Des Moines, IA ranks #14 of 56 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a market research analyst and marketing specialist 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) — 22% of a median market research analyst and marketing specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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