Retail Salespersons Salary in Des Moines, IA

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

Median annual salary $31,360 -9.3% vs national
Median hourly $15.08
10th percentile $24,080
90th percentile $47,240
Employed locally 10,060
National median $34,580

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Retail Salespersons
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $24,080
    25th
    $28,660
    50th (median)
    $31,360
    75th
    $36,630
    90th
    $47,240

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Retail Salespersons salary vs area income 37% Median Retail Salespersons salary is 63% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Retail Salespersons

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Napa, CA $44,680
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $43,040
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $42,490
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $39,180
    Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area $38,770
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $38,760

    Nearby metros — Retail Salespersons salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $37,800
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $37,500
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $37,440
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $37,420
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $37,270
    California $37,250

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    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
    Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products $123,030

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Retail Salespersons make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Retail Salespersons in Des Moines, IA is $15.08, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.49 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Retail Salespersons salaries?

    The median Retail Salespersons salary in Des Moines, IA is 9.3% below the national median of $34,580. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Retail Salespersons in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Retail Salespersons (10th percentile) earn around $24,080 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,660.