Career Atlas USA

Careers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Part of Iowa.

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA’s regional price level is below the national average (index 91.701, where 100 = U.S. average, 2024 BEA data).

Unemployment rate: 3.2% · 409,514 people employed (2026-06, BLS LAUS, not seasonally adjusted).

Highest-Paying Careers

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  1. 1Emergency Medicine Physicians$426,310
  2. 2Obstetricians and Gynecologists$369,390
  3. 3Psychiatrists$358,020
  4. 4Physicians, All Other$309,880
  5. 5Chief Executives$290,870

Largest Occupations

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  1. 1Customer Service Representatives12,070 employed
  2. 2Retail Salespersons11,000 employed
  3. 3Fast Food and Counter Workers10,060 employed
  4. 4Cashiers8,720 employed
  5. 5General and Operations Managers8,370 employed

Highest Concentration

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  1. 1Soil and Plant Scientists10.57× national avg
  2. 2Tire Builders5.81× national avg
  3. 3Actuaries5.79× national avg
  4. 4Statistical Assistants5.51× national avg
  5. 5Food Scientists and Technologists4.64× national avg

Best Purchasing Power

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cost-of-living adjusted

  1. 1Emergency Medicine Physicians$464,891
  2. 2Obstetricians and Gynecologists$402,820
  3. 3Psychiatrists$390,421
  4. 4Physicians, All Other$337,924
  5. 5Chief Executives$317,194

Sources

Wage and employment data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities. Unemployment rate: BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). Opportunity Score isn’t available at the metro level yet — see Iowa state page.