Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Human Resources Specialist Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

In the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metropolitan area, human resources specialists earned a median annual wage of $69,700 ($33.51/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $47,400/year and the 90th was $115,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Iowa tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $55,867 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 91.7 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$69,700$33.51 per hour · $5,808 monthly
10th Percentile$47,400$22.79/hr base
25th Percentile$56,300$27.07/hr base
75th Percentile$89,600$43.08/hr base
90th Percentile$115,600$55.58/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$69,700
$25,000$140,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$69,700
Net 80%
Fed 9%
IA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$55,867After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,656Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,149Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$6,504 / yr
Iowa state income tax$1,997 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,332 / yr

Human Resources Specialists Wage Percentiles in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Human Resources Specialists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (IA)
10th Percentile$22.79/hr$3,950$47,400$39,117
25th Percentile$27.07/hr$4,692$56,300$45,929
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$33.51/hr$5,808$69,700$55,867
75th Percentile$43.08/hr$7,467$89,600$69,111
90th Percentile$55.58/hr$9,633$115,600$86,414

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$69,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$85,890Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index91.78.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio81.2%of area median income

Compare human resources specialists salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Iowa:

Frequently Asked Questions About Human Resources Specialists Pay in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

What is the median salary for human resources specialists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

The official BLS median annual wage for human resources specialists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $69,700, which equates to approximately $5,808 per month or $33.51 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for human resources specialists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

The median hourly wage for human resources specialists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $33.51 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $22.79/hour and one in ten earned more than $55.58/hour.

What is the pay range for human resources specialists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

BLS wage estimates for human resources specialists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA span from $47,400 at the 10th percentile to $56,300 at the 25th, $89,600 at the 75th, and $115,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do human resources specialists take home after taxes in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

On a median gross salary of $69,700, an estimated $55,867 lands in net take-home pay per year ($2,149 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Iowa in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $13,833 (an effective rate of 19.8%).

How much do human resources specialists make per month in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

On the median annual salary of $69,700, gross monthly income is $5,808. After federal, FICA, and Iowa state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $4,656 per month (or $2,149 every two weeks).

Is $69,700 a good salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

At $69,700, the median salary for human resources specialists is 81.2% of the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA median household income ($85,890). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 91.7, making regional consumer goods and services 8.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.