Salary & Cost of Living in Des Moines, WA
Des Moines, WA: $64,505 median salary, cost of living index 104.9, $16.28/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$64,505
$31/hr
Cost of Living
104.9
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$16.28
per hour
Unemployment
3.6%
rate
Des Moines, WA Overview
Population
32,888
Median Salary
$64,505
Average Salary
$72,246
Avg Commute
18 min
Median Home Price
$526,000
Median Rent
$2,120/mo
Job Growth
+2.9%
Sales Tax
6.5%
Des Moines is located in Washington with a population of 32,888. The median household salary is $64,505 per year ($31/hour), which is $5,121 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.9%.
Des Moines Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Des Moines, WA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $64,505 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $39,993 | $19.23/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $64,505 | $31.01/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $91,597 | $44.03/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $114,819 | $55.20/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Des Moines Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Des Moines, WA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$53,765
$4,480.44/month · $2,067.89/biweekly · Effective Rate: 16.6%
Gross Pay
$64,505
Federal Tax
-$5,805
State Tax
$0
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,935
Net Pay
$53,765
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,375.42 | $64,505.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$483.76 | -$5,805.10 |
| Washington State Tax (0%) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$333.28 | -$3,999.31 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$77.94 | -$935.32 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,480.44 | $53,765.27 |
Salary Comparison: Des Moines vs Other Cities
See how Des Moines's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, WA | $64,505 | 104.9 | $61,492 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Framingham, MA | $64,509 | 144.2 | $44,736 |
| Monterey, CA | $64,498 | 152.1 | $42,405 |
| East Haven, CT | $64,496 | 103.4 | $62,375 |
| Billerica, MA | $64,529 | 134.2 | $48,084 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Des Moines
Des Moines's cost of living index is 104.9 (national average = 100). Living in Des Moines is 4.900000000000006% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$526,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,120
Annual Rent Cost
$25,440
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $53,765 annual take-home pay in Des Moines has the purchasing power of approximately $51,254 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $67,666 in Des Moines to match a $64,505 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Des Moines
Des Moines's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $64,505.
Salary Tips for Des Moines Workers
- No state income tax advantage. Washington has no state income tax, which means more of your paycheck stays in your pocket. Invest the savings in a Roth IRA or 401(k) for long-term growth.
- Research top industries. Des Moines's top industries include Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $64,505 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Des Moines salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Des Moines-WA metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Des Moines indexed at 104.9.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Des Moines's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $64,505 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Washington state income tax (0%) (no local income tax), sales tax (6.5%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Des Moines: 3.6%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.9% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Washington.
- Housing context: median home price $526,000, median rent $2,120/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Des Moines, WA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Des Moines unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Des Moines QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Washington — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Des Moines's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Washington labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Des Moines, WA?
The median salary in Des Moines, WA is $64,505 per year, or $31 per hour. The average salary is $72,246. This is $5,121 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Des Moines, WA?
Des Moines's cost of living index is 104.9 (national average = 100), meaning it is 4.900000000000006% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $526,000 and the median monthly rent is $2,120.
What are the best industries in Des Moines?
The top industries in Des Moines, WA include Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture. The city has a job growth rate of 2.9% and an unemployment rate of 3.6%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $64,505.
How does Des Moines's salary compare to other cities?
Des Moines's median salary of $64,505 is 8.6% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 104.9), the real purchasing power is approximately $61,492.
What is the minimum wage in Des Moines, WA?
The minimum wage in Des Moines, WA is $16.28 per hour. This equals approximately $33,862 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $9.03 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.