Compensation and Benefits Managers Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Compensation and Benefits Managers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA make a median of $125,100 a year, or about $60.14 an hour. The range runs from $78K at the entry level to $202K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.7), which stretches that salary to about $136,423 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,318/month, or 17.4% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $125K get you in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
About compensation and benefits managers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Entry-level compensation and benefits managers (10th percentile) start around $78K. Mid-career wages sit at $125K.Top earners bring in $202K or more - a $124K spread from bottom to top.
Compensation and Benefits Managers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $206K | +47% | 510 |
| Rhode Island | $183K | +30% | 40 |
| New Jersey | $183K | +30% | 810 |
| Massachusetts | $182K | +30% | 670 |
| New York | $176K | +26% | 1,760 |
| Virginia | $171K | +22% | 480 |
| District of Columbia | $161K | +15% | 150 |
| California | $161K | +15% | 2,840 |
| Connecticut | $147K | +5% | 330 |
| Oregon | $146K | +4% | 230 |
| Minnesota | $144K | +3% | 310 |
| Maryland | $144K | +3% | 370 |
| Maine | $143K | +2% | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $142K | +1% | 450 |
| Georgia | $141K | +1% | 870 |
Track compensation and benefits managers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Des Moines-West Des Moines numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do compensation and benefits managers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median is $125,100 a year - that works out to about $60.14 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $77,670, and experienced compensation and benefits managers can clear $202,090. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $125K enough to live in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,463/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,318/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 17.7% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a compensation and benefits managers 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 compensation and benefits managers salary is worth about $136,423 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do compensation and benefits managers 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.