Telemarketer salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Telemarketers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $32,180 a year ($15.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 400 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,480 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $35,450. Pay here is 4% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $33,640. There are 0.99 telemarketers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $34,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for telemarketers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,070 | $13.98 |
| 25th percentile | $29,070 | $13.98 |
| Median | $32,180 | $15.47 |
| 75th percentile | $37,860 | $18.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,480 | $18.50 |
| Average (mean) | $34,390 | $16.54 |
Half of telemarketers 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 | $2,681.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,340.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,237.69 |
| Weekly | $618.85 |
| Hourly | $15.47 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $32,180 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Telemarketer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $38,760 | 130 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $36,850 | 90 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $29,800 | 330 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $28,840 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for telemarketers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Kansas | $48,010 |
| Colorado | $47,670 |
| California | $46,000 |
| Connecticut | $45,200 |
| Massachusetts | $44,650 |
| Oregon | $42,060 |
| New York | $41,400 |
| Minnesota | $39,850 |
| Washington | $39,670 |
| Idaho | $39,400 |
See Telemarketer pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Sales and Related Workers, All Other | $36,160 | $17.39 |
| Sales Engineer | $83,450 | $40.12 |
| Demonstrators and Product Promoters | $37,670 | $18.11 |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,430 | $16.07 |
| Cashier | $29,640 | $14.25 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $67,040 | $32.23 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $61,140 | $29.40 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $47,800 | $22.98 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $65,510 | $31.50 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $126,830 | $60.97 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $65,670 | $31.57 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $98,590 | $47.40 |
| Parts Salesperson | $48,850 | $23.49 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $38,920 | $18.71 |
More: Sales and Related 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 41-9041. 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 telemarketer make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for telemarketers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $32,180 a year, or $15.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid telemarketers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of telemarketers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $38,480 a year. The top 25% earn $37,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for telemarketers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,070 a year, and a quarter of telemarketers earn $29,070 or less.
How many telemarketers work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 400 telemarketers are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.