Real Estate Sales Agents Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $32,840 -41.7% vs national
Median hourly $15.79
10th percentile $24,190
90th percentile $66,660
Employed locally 270
National median $56,320

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Real Estate Sales Agents
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $24,190
    25th
    $24,210
    50th (median)
    $32,840
    75th
    $53,770
    90th
    $66,660

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Real Estate Sales Agents salary vs area income 39% Median Real Estate Sales Agents salary is 61% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Real Estate Sales Agents

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Midland, TX $106,340
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $103,930
    Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $101,370
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $100,440
    New York $97,440
    Walla Walla, WA $94,310

    Nearby metros — Real Estate Sales Agents salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $87,030
    North Georgia nonmetropolitan area $82,570
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $80,100
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $68,940
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $68,790
    Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL $66,140

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Retail Salespersons $31,360
    Cashiers $29,780
    Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products $65,280
    Insurance Sales Agents $75,300
    First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers $46,180
    Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel $64,990

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Real Estate Sales Agents make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Real Estate Sales Agents in Des Moines, IA is $15.79, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $32.05 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Real Estate Sales Agents salaries?

    The median Real Estate Sales Agents salary in Des Moines, IA is 41.7% below the national median of $56,320. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Real Estate Sales Agents in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Real Estate Sales Agents (10th percentile) earn around $24,190 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $24,210.