Office Clerks, General Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Office Clerks, Generals in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA make a median of $44,350 a year, or about $21.32 an hour. The range runs from $29K at the entry level to $62K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.7), which stretches that salary to about $48,364 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,318/month — about 43.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $44K get you in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
About office clerks, generals
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Entry-level office clerks, generals (10th percentile) start around $29K. Mid-career wages sit at $44K.Top earners bring in $62K or more - a $32K spread from bottom to top.
Office Clerks, General pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $53K | +22% | 6,340 |
| Alaska | $51K | +18% | 4,090 |
| Washington | $50K | +14% | 48,360 |
| North Dakota | $49K | +12% | 8,950 |
| Massachusetts | $49K | +12% | 50,180 |
| New Hampshire | $49K | +11% | 13,710 |
| Oregon | $48K | +11% | 28,240 |
| New Jersey | $48K | +10% | 71,140 |
| California | $48K | +10% | 306,000 |
| Vermont | $47K | +8% | 5,120 |
| Minnesota | $47K | +8% | 55,710 |
| Rhode Island | $47K | +7% | 8,360 |
| Connecticut | $46K | +7% | 25,750 |
| Maryland | $46K | +6% | 29,270 |
| Arizona | $46K | +6% | 53,120 |
Track office clerks, general 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 office clerks, generals make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median is $44,350 a year - that works out to about $21.32 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $29,180, and experienced office clerks, generals can clear $61,630. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $44K enough to live in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,964/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,318/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 44.5% 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 office clerks, general 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 office clerks, general salary is worth about $48,364 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do office clerks, generals 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.