folvr

Payroll Specialist Salary in Des Moines, Iowa

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$49,119/ year

Median Payroll Specialist in Des Moines, IA

$30,652
10th
$37,380
25th
$49,119
Median
$62,300
75th
$76,006
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$49,119
Total compensation (est.)
$56,487
Bonus range
$2,100 – $8,400
Mean salary
$52,066

How This Compares

Des Moines, IA median
$49,119
Iowa median
$56,294-12.7%
National median
$55,190-11.0%

Cost of living in Des Moines is 0% below the national average. Salary of $49,119 here is equivalent to $49,119 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$35,366-28.0%
3-5 years
$44,698-9.0%
6-10 years
$55,013+12.0%
10+ years
$67,784+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$43,225-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$49,119
Enterprise (5,000+)
$57,960+18.0%

Add your salary data

Anonymous. 60 seconds. See how you compare instantly.

$50K
$30K$500K

Payroll Specialist Salaries in Nearby Cities

Cedar Rapids, IA$55,190/yr
Davenport, IA$55,190/yr

Related Jobs in Des Moines

Financial Analyst$88,119/yr
Accountant$71,093/yr
CPA$71,093/yr
Investment Banker$88,119/yr
Financial Advisor$88,626/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$24/hr
Monthly gross$4,093/mo
25th percentile$37,380/yr
75th percentile$62,300/yr

Find Payroll Specialist jobs in Des Moines

See open positions and negotiate with real data.

Search Indeed →Search LinkedIn →

Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

Iowa Unemployment

Dec 2025

3.5%

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Payroll Specialist Salaries by City

Compare all US cities →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Payroll Specialist salary in Des Moines?

The median Payroll Specialist salary in Des Moines is $49,119 per year, with a range from $37,380 at the 25th percentile to $62,300 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Payroll Specialist pay in Des Moines compare to the national average?

Payroll Specialist salaries in Des Moines are 11% below the national median of $55,190. After adjusting for Des Moines's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $49,119 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Payroll Specialist salaries in Des Moines?

In Des Moines, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Payroll Specialist roles start around $30,652, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $76,006 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Des Moines a good place for Payroll Specialist jobs?

Des Moines offers a Payroll Specialist median of $49,119, which is 11% below the US median of $55,190. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Des Moines is 0% cheaper than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Payroll Specialist salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Payroll Specialist in Des Moines is $62,300, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.