Chief Executive salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Chief Executives in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $290,870 a year ($139.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,230 workers.
Pay ranges from $96,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $390,260 for the top 10%. That is 36% higher than the national median of $213,990. Pay here is 38% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $211,190. There are 3.0 chief executives per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $276,500, close to the median.
Pay range for chief executives in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $96,550 | $46.42 |
| 25th percentile | $167,990 | $80.76 |
| Median | $290,870 | $139.84 |
| 75th percentile | $345,940 | $166.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $390,260 | $187.63 |
| Average (mean) | $276,500 | $132.94 |
Half of chief executives 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 | $24,239.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $12,119.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $11,187.31 |
| Weekly | $5,593.65 |
| Hourly | $139.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $290,870 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chief Executive salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $228,220 | 1,330 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $220,590 | 130 |
| Dubuque, IA | $212,880 | 100 |
| Ames, IA | $206,090 | 110 |
| Iowa City, IA | $205,340 | 110 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $205,030 | 200 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $199,010 | 110 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $182,210 | 290 |
Highest-paying states for chief executives
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $341,630 |
| Washington | $339,810 |
| Illinois | $331,920 |
| North Carolina | $314,290 |
| Virginia | $310,740 |
| New Jersey | $310,440 |
| Connecticut | $295,120 |
| Hawaii | $281,640 |
| South Dakota | $280,900 |
| New York | $257,980 |
See Chief Executive pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | $98,780 | $47.49 |
| Financial Manager | $154,140 | $74.11 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $164,840 | $79.25 |
| Managers, All Other | $139,110 | $66.88 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $101,550 | $48.82 |
| Sales Manager | $136,570 | $65.66 |
| Construction Manager | $103,920 | $49.96 |
| Marketing Manager | $135,140 | $64.97 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $117,980 | — |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $60,600 | $29.13 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $73,840 | $35.50 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $126,190 | $60.67 |
| Facilities Manager | $103,860 | $49.93 |
| Human Resources Manager | $138,140 | $66.42 |
More: Management 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 11-1011. 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 chief executive make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for chief executives in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $290,870 a year, or $139.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $96,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $390,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chief executives make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of chief executives in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $390,260 a year. The top 25% earn $345,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for chief executives in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $96,550 a year, and a quarter of chief executives earn $167,990 or less.
How many chief executives work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 1,230 chief executives are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.