Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
In Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks earn $49,500 at the median — $23.8 an hour. The range runs from $35K at the entry level to $66K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.7), which stretches that salary to about $53,980 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,318/month — about 39% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $50K get you in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
About bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Entry-level bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks (10th percentile) start around $35K. Mid-career wages sit at $50K.Top earners bring in $66K or more - a $31K spread from bottom to top.
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $62K | +27% | 1,870 |
| California | $57K | +17% | 154,980 |
| Connecticut | $57K | +16% | 14,820 |
| Massachusetts | $57K | +16% | 31,010 |
| New Jersey | $57K | +15% | 40,560 |
| Washington | $57K | +15% | 36,640 |
| New York | $56K | +14% | 93,920 |
| Alaska | $55K | +11% | 4,630 |
| Maryland | $54K | +10% | 18,380 |
| Rhode Island | $54K | +9% | 4,470 |
| Minnesota | $52K | +6% | 27,520 |
| Delaware | $52K | +5% | 4,980 |
| Vermont | $52K | +5% | 3,260 |
| New Hampshire | $50K | +2% | 7,620 |
| Oregon | $50K | +2% | 23,250 |
Track bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Des Moines-West Des Moines numbers change.
Related careers in Office & Admin
Frequently asked questions
How much do bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median is $49,500 a year - that works out to about $23.8 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $35,360, and experienced bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks can clear $65,950. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $50K enough to live in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,285/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,318/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 40.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks salary go in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
Des Moines-West Des Moines has a Regional Price Parity of 91.7 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks salary is worth about $53,980 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.