Human Resources Manager salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Human Resources Managers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $138,140 a year ($66.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $91,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $233,690 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $149,280. Pay here is 9% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $126,370. There are 1.3 human resources managers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $153,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources managers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $91,450 | $43.97 |
| 25th percentile | $112,060 | $53.88 |
| Median | $138,140 | $66.42 |
| 75th percentile | $175,380 | $84.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $233,690 | $112.35 |
| Average (mean) | $153,060 | $73.59 |
Half of human resources managers 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 | $11,511.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,755.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,313.08 |
| Weekly | $2,656.54 |
| Hourly | $66.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $138,140 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Human Resources Manager salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $142,600 | 260 |
| Ames, IA | $137,390 | 60 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $132,020 | 1,020 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $130,430 | 160 |
| Dubuque, IA | $129,670 | 70 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $125,970 | 80 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $125,430 | 60 |
| Iowa City, IA | $118,070 | 160 |
Highest-paying states for human resources managers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $184,350 |
| Massachusetts | $181,780 |
| New York | $176,650 |
| New Jersey | $172,440 |
| California | $170,080 |
| Rhode Island | $167,110 |
| Colorado | $166,400 |
| Virginia | $165,980 |
| Connecticut | $165,930 |
| Washington | $165,530 |
See Human Resources Manager pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Manager | $154,140 | $74.11 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $164,840 | $79.25 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $126,190 | $60.67 |
| Facilities Manager | $103,860 | $49.93 |
| Industrial Production Manager | $107,550 | $51.71 |
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $100,880 | $48.50 |
| Purchasing Manager | $122,910 | $59.09 |
| Training and Development Managers | $120,640 | $58.00 |
| Compensation and Benefits Managers | $150,850 | $72.52 |
| General and Operations Managers | $98,780 | $47.49 |
| Managers, All Other | $139,110 | $66.88 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $101,550 | $48.82 |
| Chief Executive | $290,870 | $139.84 |
| Sales Manager | $136,570 | $65.66 |
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 11-3121. 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 human resources manager make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for human resources managers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $138,140 a year, or $66.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $91,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $233,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources managers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of human resources managers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $233,690 a year. The top 25% earn $175,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources managers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $91,450 a year, and a quarter of human resources managers earn $112,060 or less.
How many human resources managers work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 520 human resources managers are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.