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Chief Executive Officer Salary in Des Moines, IA — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Des Moines's cost of living (index: 89). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Chief Executive Officer Salary in Des Moines — Key Numbers

$186,900
Median Salary
$106,800
25th Percentile
$333,750
75th Percentile
$445,000
90th Percentile
National median (Chief Executive Officer)$210,000
vs. National median-11.0%
Des Moines median household income$67,200
vs. City household income+178.1%

Cost of Living in Des Moines

Cost of Living Index
89(100 = avg)
Median Monthly Rent$850/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio5.5%
Annual rent cost$10,200
Median Home Price$240,000
Home Price / Salary1.3×
20% Down Payment$48,000
Years to save (20% rate)1.3 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Des Moines

2.8%
Unemployment Rate
700,000
Metro Population
20 min
Avg Commute
33.8
Median Age

Des Moines has a metro population of 700,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 2.8% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.

Financial Calculators for Des Moines

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Cost of Living — Des Moines
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Rent vs. Buy in Des Moines
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Budget Planner
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Chief Executive Officer Salary in Iowa
Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Des Moines

Physician$204,077Dentist$156,204IT Manager$150,864Marketing Manager$140,282Lawyer$129,726HR Manager$121,352

Chief Executive Officer Salary — Other Iowa Cities

Cedar Rapids, IA$180,600

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Chief Executive Officer make in Des Moines, IA?

The estimated median salary for a Chief Executive Officer in Des Moines is $186,900 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $210,000 adjusted by Des Moines's cost of living index (89). The typical salary range runs from $106,800 (25th percentile) to $333,750 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $445,000.

Is Des Moines affordable for a Chief Executive Officer?

On a $186,900 annual salary, a Chief Executive Officer in Des Moines would spend approximately 5.5% of gross monthly income on median rent ($850/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Des Moines relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $240,000 is 1.3× the annual salary.

How does a Chief Executive Officer's salary compare to Des Moines's overall income?

Des Moines's median household income is $67,200. A Chief Executive Officer earning the city-adjusted median of $186,900 earns 178.1% more than the typical Des Moines household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

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Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.