Accountants and Auditors salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Accountants and Auditors in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $79,290 a year ($38.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,850 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,130 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $83,680. Pay here is 2% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $77,440. There are 12 accountants and auditors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $87,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for accountants and auditors in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,390 | $27.11 |
| 25th percentile | $64,450 | $30.99 |
| Median | $79,290 | $38.12 |
| 75th percentile | $102,330 | $49.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,130 | $61.60 |
| Average (mean) | $87,250 | $41.95 |
Half of accountants and auditors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,607.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,303.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,049.62 |
| Weekly | $1,524.81 |
| Hourly | $38.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $79,290 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Accountants and Auditors salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | $79,320 | 530 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $78,650 | 520 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $77,600 | 1,560 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $77,180 | 1,190 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $77,030 | 5,170 |
| Iowa City, IA | $75,100 | 790 |
| Dubuque, IA | $74,140 | 450 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $73,530 | 540 |
Highest-paying states for accountants and auditors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,530 |
| New York | $102,640 |
| New Jersey | $100,830 |
| Massachusetts | $99,460 |
| Connecticut | $97,550 |
| California | $97,050 |
| Colorado | $97,030 |
| Washington | $96,550 |
| Rhode Island | $95,820 |
| Delaware | $95,020 |
See Accountants and Auditors pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $98,490 | $47.35 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $79,230 | $38.09 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $80,340 | $38.63 |
| Loan Officer | $101,190 | $48.65 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $94,270 | $45.32 |
| Financial Examiner | $85,450 | $41.08 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $108,110 | $51.98 |
| Tax Preparer | $63,560 | $30.56 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $92,370 | $44.41 |
| Budget Analyst | $91,920 | $44.19 |
| Credit Analyst | $80,190 | $38.55 |
| Credit Counselor | $49,160 | $23.63 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $86,540 | $41.61 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $76,580 | $36.82 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a accountants and auditors make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for accountants and auditors in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $79,290 a year, or $38.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid accountants and auditors make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of accountants and auditors in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $128,130 a year. The top 25% earn $102,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for accountants and auditors in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,390 a year, and a quarter of accountants and auditors earn $64,450 or less.
How many accountants and auditors work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 4,850 accountants and auditors are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.