Public Relations Specialist Salary in Des Moines, IA
Public Relations Specialists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median $70,660 a year — 5% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $56,506 take-home, or $4,709 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median public relations specialist salary in Des Moines, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,715
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,381
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,025
- Iowa income tax$2,033
- Take-home pay$56,506
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.80% state
Public Relations Specialist pay by experience in Des Moines, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,850 | $21.08 | $36,399 | $3,033 |
| 25th percentile | $54,730 | $26.31 | $44,728 | $3,727 |
| Median (50th) | $70,660 | $33.97 | $56,506 | $4,709 |
| 75th percentile | $89,970 | $43.25 | $69,357 | $5,780 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,340 | $56.89 | $88,237 | $7,353 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $70,660 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 public relations specialist's $56,506 take-home pay has the buying power of $61,620 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 public relations specialist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for public relations specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Des Moines, IA ranks #11 of 89 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $117,620 | $83,338 | $75,471 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $96,000 | $76,366 | $68,716 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $101,680 | $74,688 | $68,594 |
| 4 | Olympia, WA | $84,470 | $68,255 | $65,838 |
| 5 | Hartford, CT | $87,830 | $67,363 | $65,562 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $102,520 | $74,315 | $64,279 |
| 7 | Trenton, NJ | $84,990 | $65,397 | $63,381 |
| 8 | Sacramento, CA | $89,640 | $66,619 | $62,454 |
| 11 | Des Moines, IA | $70,660 | $56,506 | $61,620 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 89 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a public relations specialist make in Des Moines, IA?
The median public relations specialist salary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $70,660 a year, or about $33.97 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $54,730 and $89,970.
What is a public relations specialist’s take-home pay in Des Moines, IA?
On the median $70,660 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $56,506 a year ($4,709 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,033 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a public relations specialist?
Pay here is 5% below the national median of $74,750. Local prices are 8.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $61,620 would in a typical U.S. city. Des Moines, IA ranks #11 of 89 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a public relations 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) — 23% of a median public relations specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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