Retail Salesperson Salary in Des Moines, IA
Retail Salespersons in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median $33,430 a year — 6% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $28,422 take-home, or $2,369 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in Des Moines, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,832
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,073
- Medicare (1.45%)$485
- Iowa income tax$619
- Take-home pay$28,422
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.80% state
Retail Salesperson pay by experience in Des Moines, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,630 | $13.28 | $23,965 | $1,997 |
| 25th percentile | $29,450 | $14.16 | $25,376 | $2,115 |
| Median (50th) | $33,430 | $16.07 | $28,422 | $2,369 |
| 75th percentile | $36,710 | $17.65 | $30,933 | $2,578 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,780 | $22.49 | $38,642 | $3,220 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $33,430 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 retail salesperson's $28,422 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,995 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Retail Salesperson jobs are about as common in Des Moines, IA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.09).
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
Des Moines, IA ranks #63 of 387 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minot, ND | $35,290 | $30,536 | $35,087 |
| 2 | Bismarck, ND | $36,730 | $31,693 | $34,818 |
| 3 | Wildwood, FL | $34,290 | $29,732 | $34,805 |
| 4 | Grand Forks, ND | $34,440 | $29,853 | $34,447 |
| 5 | Fargo, ND | $35,860 | $30,994 | $34,107 |
| 6 | Longview, WA | $38,680 | $33,259 | $34,096 |
| 7 | Lewiston, ID | $37,010 | $31,064 | $34,077 |
| 8 | St. Cloud, MN | $34,860 | $29,144 | $33,257 |
| 63 | Des Moines, IA | $33,430 | $28,422 | $30,995 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 387 metros →
Retail Salesperson salaries elsewhere in Iowa
- Cedar Rapids, IA — $33,430
- Ames, IA — $32,460
- Waterloo, IA — $31,270
- Davenport, IA — $32,030
- Dubuque, IA — $30,960
- Sioux City, IA — $30,150
- Iowa City, IA — $29,940
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Des Moines, IA?
The median retail salesperson salary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $33,430 a year, or about $16.07 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $29,450 and $36,710.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in Des Moines, IA?
On the median $33,430 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $28,422 a year ($2,369 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $619 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 6% below the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 8.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,995 would in a typical U.S. city. Des Moines, IA ranks #63 of 387 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson 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) — 46% of a median retail salesperson’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, Technical and Scientific Products — $126,830
- First-Line Supervisor of Non-Retail Sales Workers — $98,590
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $67,040
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $65,670
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $65,510
- Insurance Sales Agent — $61,140
- Parts Salesperson — $48,850
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $47,800
- Counter and Rental Clerk — $38,920
- Cashier — $29,640