Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouses in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA make a median of $32,100 a year, or about $15.44 an hour. The range runs from $18K at the entry level to $48K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.7), which stretches that salary to about $35,005 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,318/month — about 60.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $32K get you in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
About farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouses
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Entry-level farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouses (10th percentile) start around $18K. Mid-career wages sit at $32K.Top earners bring in $48K or more - a $30K spread from bottom to top.
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $45K | +25% | 80 |
| Nebraska | $44K | +23% | 420 |
| Maine | $44K | +23% | 330 |
| Montana | $42K | +17% | 500 |
| District of Columbia | $42K | +17% | 40 |
| Illinois | $40K | +13% | 2,410 |
| Massachusetts | $40K | +13% | 1,270 |
| New York | $39K | +10% | 2,570 |
| Minnesota | $39K | +9% | 1,040 |
| Maryland | $38K | +7% | 1,630 |
| Indiana | $38K | +6% | 1,170 |
| New Jersey | $38K | +5% | 3,460 |
| Rhode Island | $37K | +4% | 230 |
| Washington | $37K | +4% | 7,280 |
| South Dakota | $37K | +4% | 130 |
Track farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Des Moines-West Des Moines numbers change.
Related careers in Farming & Fishing
Frequently asked questions
How much do farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouses make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median is $32,100 a year - that works out to about $15.44 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $18,260, and experienced farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouses can clear $48,100. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $32K enough to live in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,201/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,318/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 59.9% 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 farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse 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 farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse salary is worth about $35,005 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouses 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.