Freelance Writer 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.
Freelance Writer Salary in Des Moines — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Des Moines
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
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
Other Professions in Des Moines
Freelance Writer Salary — Other Iowa Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Freelance Writer make in Des Moines, IA?
The estimated median salary for a Freelance Writer in Des Moines is $40,050 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $45,000 adjusted by Des Moines's cost of living index (89). The typical salary range runs from $24,030 (25th percentile) to $64,080 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $97,900.
Is Des Moines affordable for a Freelance Writer?
On a $40,050 annual salary, a Freelance Writer in Des Moines would spend approximately 25.5% 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 6.0× the annual salary.
How does a Freelance Writer's salary compare to Des Moines's overall income?
Des Moines's median household income is $67,200. A Freelance Writer earning the city-adjusted median of $40,050 earns 40.4% less than the typical Des Moines household income. This may reflect that the profession is entry-level or that Des Moines has a particularly high median household income due to high-earning industries.
Explore More Salary Data
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.