Human Resources Specialists Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
In Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, human resources specialists earn $69,120 at the median — $33.23 an hour. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $119K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.7), which stretches that salary to about $75,376 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,318/month, or 29% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $69K get you in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
About human resources specialists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Entry-level human resources specialists (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $69K.Top earners bring in $119K or more - a $73K spread from bottom to top.
Human Resources Specialists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $103K | +41% | 7,130 |
| Washington | $83K | +14% | 25,110 |
| Massachusetts | $82K | +12% | 25,490 |
| California | $82K | +12% | 104,880 |
| New York | $81K | +11% | 53,030 |
| Maryland | $81K | +11% | 16,960 |
| Virginia | $79K | +8% | 29,530 |
| New Jersey | $78K | +7% | 23,180 |
| Connecticut | $78K | +7% | 8,660 |
| Minnesota | $77K | +6% | 16,850 |
| Kansas | $76K | +5% | 8,830 |
| Vermont | $76K | +4% | 1,290 |
| Oregon | $74K | +2% | 11,200 |
| Delaware | $73K | -0% | 3,110 |
| Illinois | $72K | -1% | 32,600 |
Track human resources specialists 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 human resources specialists make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median is $69,120 a year - that works out to about $33.23 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,100, and experienced human resources specialists can clear $119,230. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $69K enough to live in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,458/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,318/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 29.6% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a human resources specialists 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 human resources specialists salary is worth about $75,376 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do human resources specialists 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.