Project Management Specialist Salary in Des Moines, IA
Project Management Specialists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median $101,150 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $76,797 take-home, or $6,400 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median project management specialist salary in Des Moines, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,423
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,271
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,467
- Iowa income tax$3,192
- Take-home pay$76,797
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.80% state
Project Management Specialist pay by experience in Des Moines, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,760 | $31.62 | $53,171 | $4,431 |
| 25th percentile | $80,100 | $38.51 | $62,788 | $5,232 |
| Median (50th) | $101,150 | $48.63 | $76,797 | $6,400 |
| 75th percentile | $146,820 | $70.59 | $106,690 | $8,891 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $150,290 | $72.25 | $108,930 | $9,077 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $101,150 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 project management specialist's $76,797 take-home pay has the buying power of $83,747 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Project Management Specialist jobs are about as common in Des Moines, IA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.95).
Best-paying cities for project management specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Des Moines, IA ranks #13 of 209 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peoria, IL | $123,730 | $89,856 | $98,492 |
| 2 | Kennewick, WA | $125,940 | $97,346 | $97,269 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $130,380 | $100,381 | $90,325 |
| 4 | Huntsville, AL | $112,130 | $82,372 | $88,503 |
| 5 | Beaumont, TX | $100,470 | $79,511 | $88,300 |
| 6 | Davenport, IA | $102,880 | $77,948 | $87,505 |
| 7 | Rochester, MN | $106,270 | $77,888 | $85,760 |
| 8 | Boulder, CO | $122,040 | $90,019 | $85,568 |
| 13 | Des Moines, IA | $101,150 | $76,797 | $83,747 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 209 metros →
Project Management Specialist salaries elsewhere in Iowa
- Davenport, IA — $102,880
- Cedar Rapids, IA — $93,760
Frequently asked questions
How much does a project management specialist make in Des Moines, IA?
The median project management specialist salary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $101,150 a year, or about $48.63 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $80,100 and $146,820.
What is a project management specialist’s take-home pay in Des Moines, IA?
On the median $101,150 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $76,797 a year ($6,400 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,192 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a project management specialist?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $102,320. Local prices are 8.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $83,747 would in a typical U.S. city. Des Moines, IA ranks #13 of 209 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a project management 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) — 17% of a median project management specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Des Moines, IA
- Loan Officer — $101,190
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $98,490
- Personal Financial Advisor — $94,270
- Management Analyst — $90,730
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $86,540
- Financial Examiner — $85,450
- Compliance Officer — $84,590
- Financial Specialists, All Other — $80,340
- Accountant and Auditor — $79,290
- Insurance Underwriter — $79,230
- Cost Estimator — $78,500
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists — $77,990