Training and Development Specialist Salary in Des Moines, IA
Training and Development Specialists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median $74,610 a year — 8% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $59,135 take-home, or $4,928 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median training and development specialist salary in Des Moines, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,584
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,626
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,082
- Iowa income tax$2,183
- Take-home pay$59,135
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.80% state
Training and Development Specialist pay by experience in Des Moines, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,580 | $20.95 | $36,192 | $3,016 |
| 25th percentile | $57,610 | $27.70 | $46,932 | $3,911 |
| Median (50th) | $74,610 | $35.87 | $59,135 | $4,928 |
| 75th percentile | $97,740 | $46.99 | $74,528 | $6,211 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,890 | $61.00 | $93,825 | $7,819 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $74,610 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 training and development specialist's $59,135 take-home pay has the buying power of $64,486 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 1.3× the national concentration of training and development specialist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for training and development specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Des Moines, IA ranks #6 of 139 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $104,770 | $75,660 | $68,518 |
| 2 | Augusta, GA | $78,610 | $60,675 | $66,021 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $89,550 | $71,828 | $64,633 |
| 4 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $72,120 | $57,478 | $64,609 |
| 5 | Rochester, MN | $76,030 | $58,670 | $64,600 |
| 6 | Des Moines, IA | $74,610 | $59,135 | $64,486 |
| 7 | Bridgeport, CT | $88,880 | $68,044 | $63,673 |
| 8 | Huntsville, AL | $76,360 | $58,996 | $63,388 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 139 metros →
Training and Development Specialist salaries elsewhere in Iowa
- Cedar Rapids, IA — $72,120
- Davenport, IA — $64,540
Frequently asked questions
How much does a training and development specialist make in Des Moines, IA?
The median training and development specialist salary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $74,610 a year, or about $35.87 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $57,610 and $97,740.
What is a training and development specialist’s take-home pay in Des Moines, IA?
On the median $74,610 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $59,135 a year ($4,928 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,183 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a training and development specialist?
Pay here is 8% above the national median of $69,280. Local prices are 8.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $64,486 would in a typical U.S. city. Des Moines, IA ranks #6 of 139 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a training and development 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 training and development 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
- Project Management Specialist — $101,150
- 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