Travel Agent salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Travel Agents in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $47,420 a year ($22.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,110 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $50,160. Pay here is 4% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $45,440. There are 0.20 travel agents per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $50,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for travel agents in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| 25th percentile | $35,760 | $17.19 |
| Median | $47,420 | $22.80 |
| 75th percentile | $60,780 | $29.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,110 | $33.71 |
| Average (mean) | $50,380 | $24.22 |
Half of travel agents 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 | $3,951.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,975.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,823.85 |
| Weekly | $911.92 |
| Hourly | $22.80 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,420 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Travel Agent salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $52,060 | 120 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $44,570 | 30 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $39,780 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for travel agents
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Nevada | $63,400 |
| District of Columbia | $61,560 |
| Montana | $61,330 |
| New Jersey | $61,090 |
| Connecticut | $60,640 |
| Vermont | $60,560 |
| Rhode Island | $59,790 |
| Oregon | $56,810 |
| Utah | $56,670 |
| Colorado | $56,570 |
See Travel Agent pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance Sales Agent | $61,140 | $29.40 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $65,510 | $31.50 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $65,670 | $31.57 |
| Advertising Sales Agent | $62,510 | $30.06 |
| 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 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $47,800 | $22.98 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $126,830 | $60.97 |
| 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 |
| Telemarketer | $32,180 | $15.47 |
| Sales and Related Workers, All Other | $36,160 | $17.39 |
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 41-3041. 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 travel agent make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for travel agents in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $47,420 a year, or $22.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid travel agents make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of travel agents in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $70,110 a year. The top 25% earn $60,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for travel agents in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,380 a year, and a quarter of travel agents earn $35,760 or less.
How many travel agents work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 80 travel agents are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.