Des Moines Employment

Employment and Industries in the Des Moines, Iowa Area

Des Moines is the economic core of Iowa. It's also regarded as a major center for the insurance industry. It includes the headquarters of nearly 70 insurance companies and also a large number of regional offices. The city also includes a large financial services and publishing business base.

Des Moines is home to the headquarters of notable companies such as Principal Life Insurance Company, EMC Insurance Companies, Ruan Transportation, Meredith Corporation and Wellmark Blue Cross, Blue Shield. Prominent companies which have large operations in the region are Wells Fargo, ING Group, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Electronic Data Systems.

A large number of jobs are located in sectors such as manufacturing, agribusiness, healthcare, wholesale and retail trade, and the government. The state of Iowa is one of the largest employers.

The manufacturing industry has a significant impact on the region's economy. The manufacturing sector includes companies such as Rockwell Collins, Maytag and Amana appliances and Pella.

The city also includes numerous companies which are involved in biotechnology research. In addition, Des Moines' fiber optics telecommunications industry is growing.

Accolades for Des Moines Iowa: A Business Wire article stated that Des Moines is the number one spot for U.S. insurance companies. Ranked by Forbes Magazine as the fourth best place for business. Ranked #9 in the "best cities" list provided by Kiplinger's Personal Finance.

The following is a list of the top employers in the Des Moines Metro Area:

Principal Life Insurance Company
Iowa Health Systems
Mercy Hospital Medical Center
Hy-Vee Food Stores
United Parcel Service
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
Bridgestone/Firestone
Dahl's Supermarkets
Communications Data Services, Inc
Qwest Corporation
Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc
Wellmark, Inc (Blue Cross)
Electronic Data Systems, Corp
Marsh
Meredith Corporation
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
Deere & Company
Des Moines Register

Des Moines top job providing sectors are:

Insurance
Financial services
Government
Manufacturing
Trade
Services

Interesting information regarding Des Moines Iowa: The city has two designated Iowa Enterprise Zones. The cost of living index in 2008 in Des Moines was 80.00 and the nation's average is 100. About 22% of the adult residents have earned a bachelor's degree or better. The estimated median household income in Des Moines in 2007 was $43,000.

Businesses located in Des Moines are provided help by organizations such as:

The Des Moines Business Record is an excellent resource for those seeking to keep up-to-date with local business and industry news.

Most Popular Jobs in Des Moines, Iowa Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

Rank	Title	Local Jobs	Local Mean Salary	Typical Local Salary	National Growth % 2006-2016	National % With College Degree
1	Registered nurses	6,170	52,980	$37,570 - 68,910	24%	56%
2	Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products	4,430	62,260	$26,960 - 104,010	8%	51%
3	Elementary school teachers, except special education	3,650	37,870	$23,410 - 53,500	14%	95%
4	Computer systems analysts	3,320	72,250	$43,690 - 103,360	29%	68%
5	Accountants and auditors	3,280	58,340	$36,470 - 85,690	18%	79%
6	Management analysts	2,840	63,700	$41,800 - 91,860	22%	78%
7	Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education	2,290	40,980	$25,070 - 60,310	6%	96%
8	Financial managers	2,050	98,450	$50,350 - 159,790	13%	60%
9	Computer programmers	1,890	65,110	$39,250 - 97,200	0%	73%
10	Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents	1,430	53,640	$23,510 - 98,170	25%	67%
11	Network and computer systems administrators	1,400	68,910	$41,880 - 100,230	27%	50%
12	Insurance underwriters	1,360	57,540	$35,670 - 80,820	6%	53%
13	Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education	1,310	40,430	$27,600 - 57,630	11%	95%
14	Computer software engineers, applications	1,280	76,590	$49,450 - 118,820	45%	85%
15	Lawyers	1,270	110,100	$49,430 -	11%	99%
16	Managers, all other	1,260	76,090	$37,060 - 124,180	7%	55%
17	Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products	1,130	90,700	$41,610 - 160,660	12%	51%
18	Teachers and instructors, all other	1,070	27,880	$20,380 - 42,050	9%	54%
19	Social and human service assistants	1,050	29,530	$15,430 - 47,190	34%	58%
20	Financial analysts	990	60,820	$35,930 - 89,040	34%	87%
21	Child, family, and school social workers	970	39,230	$15,930 - 63,750	19%	77%
22	Medical and health services managers	910	86,100	$44,510 - 135,630	16%	57%
23	Training and development specialists	900	49,030	$28,520 - 70,330	18%	56%
24	Market research analysts	890	55,510	$33,510 - 85,950	20%	82%
25	Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists	870	46,670	$30,080 - 73,600	18%	56%
26	Computer and information systems managers	850	102,010	$69,170 - 140,910	16%	73%
27	Network systems and data communications analysts	820	70,120	$44,500 - 101,140	53%	57%
28	Chief executives	790	160,460	$90,250 -	2%	65%
29	Pharmacists	750	82,780	$30,960 - 115,460	22%	97%
30	Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation	730	51,410	$31,060 - 77,480	5%	58%
31	Coaches and scouts	690	23,140	$15,500 - 36,360	15%	60%
32	Sales managers	670	107,890	$47,080 -	10%	69%
33	Operations research analysts	620	53,400	$34,390 - 77,470	11%	71%
34	Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other	610	55,950	$34,730 - 80,960	17%	56%
35	Computer software engineers, systems software	610	80,700	$58,540 - 105,290	28%	85%
36	Marketing managers	550	98,130	$56,080 - 157,820	14%	69%
37	Graphic designers	550	42,610	$28,170 - 59,800	10%	55%
38	Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists	530	50,420	$30,550 - 74,720	18%	56%
39	Public relations specialists	520	52,920	$29,850 - 81,610	18%	81%
40	Rehabilitation counselors	500	29,230	$17,870 - 49,020	23%	73%
41	Merchandise displayers and window trimmers	500	23,300	$18,100 - 28,870	11%	55%
42	Civil engineers	480	79,670	$48,110 - 110,270	18%	87%
43	Soil and plant scientists	480	72,480	$45,870 - 113,770	8%	82%
44	Social and community service managers	450	59,980	$30,770 - 96,990	25%	72%
45	Personal financial advisors	450	72,750	$38,240 - 132,590	41%	81%
46	Financial specialists, all other	430	54,670	$31,570 - 91,930	12%	50%
47	Educational, vocational, and school counselors	420	44,950	$29,830 - 63,670	13%	73%
48	Actuaries	410	91,150	$42,280 - 152,720	24%	99%
49	Computer specialists, all other	410	57,120	$32,190 - 85,290	15%	68%
50	Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school	400	40,370	$27,580 - 54,950	20%	87%
51	Architects, except landscape and naval	380	64,570	$38,130 - 88,070	18%	88%
52	Physical therapists	380	65,800	$51,680 - 81,700	27%	89%
53	Instructional coordinators	350	65,240	$45,950 - 83,590	23%	79%
54	Mental health and substance abuse social workers	350	50,120	$31,310 - 66,450	30%	77%
55	Education administrators, elementary and secondary school	340	81,900	$54,090 - 107,520	8%	78%
56	Advertising sales agents	340	46,350	$22,440 - 91,850	20%	56%
57	Medical and public health social workers	320	41,680	$29,290 - 57,250	24%	77%
58	Sales and related workers, all other	320	43,890	$25,400 - 70,590	14%	62%
59	Credit analysts	300	56,160	$30,700 - 96,910	2%	60%
60	Medical and clinical laboratory technologists	290	51,520	$36,730 - 66,160	12%	51%
61	Database administrators	290	72,510	$43,530 - 101,420	29%	72%
62	Special education teachers, secondary school	280	44,870	$34,120 - 60,600	9%	87%
63	Financial examiners	280	76,750	$46,830 - 114,780	11%	76%
64	Education administrators, postsecondary	280	77,910	$43,340 - 124,160	14%	78%
65	Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other	260	42,430	$27,000 - 74,020	15%	72%
66	Industrial engineers	260	61,590	$44,440 - 82,880	20%	74%
67	Speech-language pathologists	260	56,930	$40,260 - 75,040	11%	98%
68	Community and social service specialists, all other	240	33,760	$18,930 - 48,180	25%	58%
69	Reporters and correspondents	240	34,660	$15,790 - 58,470	1%	85%
70	Mechanical engineers	220	65,270	$44,860 - 91,920	4%	78%
71	Social workers, all other	210	43,070	$26,540 - 64,520	18%	77%
72	Occupational therapists	200	59,170	$42,910 - 78,290	23%	90%
73	Dietitians and nutritionists	200	53,810	$36,620 - 80,480	9%	72%
74	Physician assistants	200	80,410	$64,490 - 102,200	27%	67%
75	Medical and clinical laboratory technicians	190	38,130	$24,970 - 51,950	15%	51%
76	Detectives and criminal investigators	190	65,730	$47,080 - 89,470	17%	54%
77	Marriage and family therapists	180	41,010	$23,970 - 63,350	30%	73%
78	Librarians	180	50,130	$29,900 - 69,090	4%	85%
79	Meeting and convention planners	180	48,250	$32,740 - 66,090	20%	67%
80	Special education teachers, middle school	170	43,980	$29,900 - 62,500	16%	87%
81	Human resources managers, all other	170	107,660	$58,530 -	11%	58%
82	Dentists, general	170	151,750	$110,190 -	9%	100%
83	Interior designers	170	37,720	$28,620 - 51,430	20%	55%
84	Public relations managers	170	79,040	$47,320 - 119,860	17%	75%
85	Education administrators, preschool and child care center/program	160	36,770	$22,810 - 52,920	24%	78%
86	Self-enrichment education teachers	160		$ -	23%	54%
87	Compensation and benefits managers	150	84,750	$45,610 - 134,290	12%	58%
88	Education, training, and library workers, all other	150	35,700	$23,350 - 54,900	11%	79%
89	Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors	150	34,600	$16,210 - 51,860	34%	73%
90	Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists	150	66,940	$29,120 - 143,820	16%	99%
91	Environmental scientists and specialists, including health	140	62,080	$38,820 - 89,340	25%	93%
92	Veterinarians	140	66,240	$43,830 - 97,910	35%	100%
93	Producers and directors	140	46,050	$22,160 - 75,830	11%	75%
94	Natural sciences managers	120	127,500	$78,730 -	11%	93%
95	Electronics engineers, except computer	120	81,040	$53,250 - 116,160	4%	81%
96	Technical writers	120	46,640	$34,170 - 63,300	20%	74%
97	Surveyors	120	47,200	$33,510 - 65,090	24%	82%
98	Commercial pilots	120	64,530	$41,820 - 87,120	13%	74%
99	Budget analysts	120	68,570	$49,750 - 92,430	7%	78%
100	Floral designers	110	24,810	$16,060 - 32,720	0%	55%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

Rank	Title	Local Jobs	Local Mean Salary	Typical Local Salary	National Growth % 2006-2016	National % With College Degree
1	Retail salespersons	11,100	27,990	$15,630 - 56,320	12%	25%
2	Customer service representatives	8,790	29,650	$18,680 - 41,030	25%	22%
3	Office clerks, general	7,820	28,460	$17,430 - 39,660	13%	19%
4	Cashiers	7,510	19,070	$15,440 - 24,710	-2%	10%
5	Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food	7,160	18,000	$15,390 - 21,770	18%	5%
6	Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer	5,930	41,360	$25,030 - 60,420	10%	4%
7	Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand	5,470	24,330	$17,110 - 36,100	2%	5%
8	Waiters and waitresses	5,330	18,930	$15,280 - 28,380	11%	14%
9	Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks	5,020	33,080	$22,100 - 45,740	13%	16%
10	Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners	4,950	22,610	$15,790 - 33,260	15%	4%
11	Executive secretaries and administrative assistants	4,290	39,870	$28,320 - 53,100	15%	18%
12	Stock clerks and order fillers	4,120	23,130	$16,260 - 32,240	-7%	8%
13	Business operations specialists, all other	3,640	54,050	$28,060 - 84,190	21%	49%
14	Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants	3,610	24,960	$18,190 - 32,130	18%	7%
15	Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive	3,510	30,220	$20,980 - 41,770	1%	18%
16	First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers	3,170	50,070	$30,430 - 68,080	6%	29%
17	Receptionists and information clerks	3,030	24,950	$16,460 - 33,790	17%	13%
18	First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers	2,900	41,830	$23,790 - 62,470	4%	25%
19	Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators	2,850	51,720	$33,000 - 76,290	9%	47%
20	Teacher assistants	2,780	20,650	$15,690 - 27,690	10%	18%
21	General and operations managers	2,740	106,680	$49,650 -	2%	48%
22	Security guards	2,510	28,090	$17,060 - 55,810	17%	13%
23	Carpenters	2,460	38,520	$26,500 - 53,700	10%	6%
24	Maintenance and repair workers, general	2,350	34,190	$19,980 - 51,240	10%	6%
25	Loan interviewers and clerks	2,340	31,800	$25,900 - 39,830	0%	24%
26	Cooks, restaurant	2,290	21,470	$16,330 - 29,170	12%	5%
27	Maids and housekeeping cleaners	2,100	20,100	$15,730 - 25,830	13%	5%
28	Landscaping and groundskeeping workers	2,060	24,760	$17,030 - 35,200	18%	6%
29	Child care workers	1,920	20,720	$15,410 - 27,730	18%	15%
30	First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers	1,860	31,180	$20,420 - 46,770	11%	14%
31	Truck drivers, light or delivery services	1,810	31,150	$19,290 - 49,860	8%	4%
32	Sales representatives, services, all other	1,790	53,800	$26,650 - 99,690	28%	48%
33	Loan officers	1,760	58,790	$35,310 - 95,560	12%	49%
34	Team assemblers	1,670	27,690	$16,000 - 42,020	0%	5%
35	Construction laborers	1,650	31,940	$20,040 - 46,990	11%	5%
36	Bill and account collectors	1,640	29,810	$21,960 - 39,810	23%	13%
37	Insurance claims and policy processing clerks	1,640	33,360	$21,960 - 47,310	0%	22%
38	Computer support specialists	1,600	42,330	$25,820 - 62,090	13%	43%
39	Food preparation workers	1,560	19,910	$15,730 - 25,600	15%	7%
40	Automotive service technicians and mechanics	1,430	41,330	$22,320 - 61,350	14%	4%
41	Home health aides	1,420	23,700	$18,920 - 29,310	49%	7%
42	Tellers	1,400	26,780	$21,360 - 33,600	14%	16%
43	Industrial truck and tractor operators	1,380	28,970	$19,060 - 40,050	-1%	2%
44	Electricians	1,340	49,150	$29,470 - 73,690	7%	7%
45	Bartenders	1,310	18,460	$15,320 - 23,810	11%	17%
46	Packers and packagers, hand	1,310	20,220	$15,570 - 28,000	-11%	3%
47	Billing and posting clerks and machine operators	1,270	32,330	$24,690 - 41,490	4%	15%
48	Telemarketers	1,250	26,170	$15,790 - 37,430	-9%	14%
49	Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks	1,210	33,340	$21,640 - 48,490	4%	6%
50	Bus drivers, school	1,180	30,190	$25,620 - 37,920	9%	4%
51	Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators	1,150	46,720	$34,370 - 62,430	8%	3%
52	Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators	1,110			-7%	12%
53	Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop	1,110	17,830	$15,300 - 21,770	10%	8%
54	Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters	1,100	46,180	$26,050 - 67,870	11%	4%
55	Administrative services managers	1,100	79,920	$47,640 - 118,200	12%	40%
56	Counter and rental clerks	1,060	25,530	$15,540 - 45,160	23%	16%
57	Insurance sales agents	1,060	69,540	$28,370 - 129,320	13%	45%
58	First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers	1,050	57,980	$35,630 - 85,230	-4%	15%
59	Preschool teachers, except special education	1,030	24,640	$16,310 - 40,840	26%	43%
60	First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers	1,000	60,690	$41,860 - 82,170	9%	10%
61	Medical assistants	970	31,360	$24,990 - 39,410	35%	10%
62	Mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service	970	26,500	$20,070 - 35,240	-11%	9%
63	Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists	960	26,730	$16,240 - 44,430	12%	6%
64	Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop	930	17,080	$15,240 - 20,570	10%	17%
65	Police and sheriff's patrol officers	900	51,720	$35,290 - 64,720	11%	33%
66	Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses	880	37,360	$29,230 - 46,660	14%	7%
67	Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists	870	41,620	$32,160 - 51,630	12%	3%
68	Printing machine operators	870	34,800	$21,710 - 53,410	-5%	6%
69	Assemblers and fabricators, all other	860	27,040	$18,350 - 36,650	-8%	5%
70	Cooks, fast food	850	16,610	$15,200 - 19,730	8%	5%
71	Cooks, institution and cafeteria	840	24,060	$17,670 - 31,510	11%	5%
72	First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers	840	57,650	$34,540 - 80,550	7%	13%
73	Cleaners of vehicles and equipment	830	26,750	$16,750 - 39,440	14%	3%
74	Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers	830	34,570	$26,700 - 45,090	5%	2%
75	Medical secretaries	810	30,280	$17,340 - 41,140	17%	18%
76	Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers	780	37,200	$26,450 - 50,850	3%	25%
77	Dishwashers	780	17,660	$15,320 - 20,840	10%	3%
78	Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers	780	37,680	$24,300 - 52,580	9%	3%
79	Driver/sales workers	750	27,680	$15,600 - 41,160	-4%	4%
80	Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors	740	28,160	$16,860 - 44,400	27%	47%
81	Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers	740	50,880	$33,640 - 63,450	3%	13%
82	Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers	730	18,140	$15,410 - 22,890	12%	6%
83	Production workers, all other	720	30,740	$17,900 - 46,130	2%	5%
84	Amusement and recreation attendants	710	19,330	$15,340 - 30,030	24%	22%
85	Postsecondary teachers, all other	700	46,890	$25,260 - 61,360	0%	0%
86	Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers	690	29,450	$17,800 - 48,280	-6%	14%
87	Postal service mail carriers	690			1%	11%
88	Pharmacy technicians	690	26,620	$20,470 - 32,610	32%	16%
89	Machinists	660	38,220	$26,240 - 51,940	-2%	3%
90	First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers	660	81,300	$35,440 - 140,120	4%	38%
91	Painters, construction and maintenance	650	34,320	$17,850 - 52,180	12%	6%
92	Order clerks	640	35,150	$20,110 - 48,740	-23%	16%
93	Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders	630	29,090	$19,170 - 39,530	-4%	5%
94	Medical records and health information technicians	630	31,920	$21,400 - 46,880	18%	12%
95	Parts salespersons	620	36,010	$18,830 - 52,790	-1%	6%
96	Personal and home care aides	580	26,280	$18,780 - 32,760	51%	10%
97	Data entry keyers	570	27,450	$21,580 - 34,010	-4%	18%
98	Radiologic technologists and technicians	570	46,370	$34,250 - 61,210	15%	25%
99	Recreation workers	570	21,980	$15,910 - 31,730	13%	47%
100	Cost estimators	560	56,860	$35,240 - 81,840	19%	32%

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Career Schools in Des Moines

Schools with flexible schedules, simple applications, online info request forms, and rapid responses to requests for info.

(Also see all Iowa Colleges.)

Kaplan University
Des Moines, Iowa

Programs: Business And Management, Computer Science And Engineering, Design, Education And Teaching, Engineering Technician, Family And Social Work, Hospitality, Law, Liberal Arts, Media, Medical Administration, Medical Support And Technology, Nursing And Emergency Medicine, Office And Administration, Security And Law Enforcement, Therapy And Counseling
Degrees/Course Work: Associate, Bachelor, Certificate, Diploma, Master
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Vatterott College
Des Moines, Iowa

Programs: Beauty And Cosmetology, Business And Management, Computer Science And Engineering, Construction Trades, Design, Engineering Technician, Law, Liberal Arts, Mechanics And Repair, Media, Medical Administration, Medical Support And Technology, Nutrition And Exercise Therapy, Office And Administration, Photography And Commercial Art, Production Trades, Security And Law Enforcement, Therapy And Counseling
Degrees/Course Work: Associate, Bachelor, Diploma
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Jobs More Common Near Des Moines Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

Title	Mean Local Salary	Local Jobs	Pop. vs. Avg.*
Soil and plant scientists	72,480	480	53.1
Agricultural and food science technicians	32,840	230	12.1
Actuaries	91,150	410	10.6
Engine and other machine assemblers	30,950	230	6.1
Insurance underwriters	57,540	1,360	5.6
Financial examiners	76,750	280	4.7
Marriage and family therapists	41,010	180	4.7
Loan interviewers and clerks	31,800	2,340	4.4
Merchandise displayers and window trimmers	23,300	500	4.1
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators	51,720	2,850	4
Outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics	27,360	130	3.9
Operations research analysts	53,400	620	3.9
Conveyor operators and tenders	27,070	170	3.3
Graders and sorters, agricultural products	20,260	140	3
Electronic home entertainment equipment installers and repairers	30,910	200	2.9
Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists	46,670	870	2.9
Loan counselors	36,230	180	2.9
Medical transcriptionists	30,360	540	2.8
Insurance claims and policy processing clerks	33,360	1,640	2.8
Mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service	26,500	970	2.8
Commercial pilots	64,530	120	2.8
Food batchmakers	30,540	510	2.7
Pipelayers	42,770	300	2.7
Structural iron and steel workers	44,750	360	2.6
Bindery workers	28,220	350	2.6
Office machine operators, except computer	28,680	510	2.6
Photographers	27,230	370	2.6
Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	38,040	140	2.6
Reporters and correspondents	34,660	240	2.6
Food preparation and serving related workers, all other	20,930	250	2.6
Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers	37,200	780	2.5
Computer systems analysts	72,250	3,320	2.5
Anesthesiologists	211,780	110	2.4
Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators		1,110	2.3
Real estate brokers	70,890	240	2.3
Rehabilitation counselors	29,230	500	2.2
Loan officers	58,790	1,760	2.2
Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers	23,780	110	2.2
Business teachers, postsecondary	62,970	300	2.2
Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other	42,430	260	2.2
Structural metal fabricators and fitters	30,460	520	2.1
Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers	25,670	340	2.1
Funeral attendants	21,200	110	2.1
Tire repairers and changers	23,130	430	2.1
Family and general practitioners	160,470	470	2.1
Glaziers	38,140	180	2
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents	53,640	1,430	2
Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers	17,860	460	2
Broadcast technicians	38,850	140	2
Management analysts	63,700	2,840	2

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Des Moines, Iowa Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

Title	Mean Local Salary	Salary Index *	Local Jobs
Personal and home care aides	26,280	1.32	580
First-line supervisors/managers of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers	54,480	1.29	190
Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment	63,040	1.29	290
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment	26,750	1.27	830
Mental health and substance abuse social workers	50,120	1.26	350
Pest control workers	39,110	1.25	110
Order clerks	35,150	1.25	640
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products	90,700	1.24	1,130
Insurance sales agents	69,540	1.24	1,060
Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators	47,410	1.22	150
Correctional officers and jailers	45,680	1.21	290
Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters	31,670	1.19	140
Dental laboratory technicians	43,530	1.19	150
Brickmasons and blockmasons	54,240	1.19	240
Food batchmakers	30,540	1.19	510
Police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers	41,130	1.19	140
Parts salespersons	36,010	1.18	620
Soil and plant scientists	72,480	1.18	480
Aircraft mechanics and service technicians	58,380	1.17	110
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks	33,340	1.17	1,210
Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	38,040	1.17	140
Pipelayers	42,770	1.17	300
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers	81,300	1.17	660
Switchboard operators, including answering service	28,000	1.16	190
Natural sciences managers	127,500	1.16	120
Bus drivers, school	30,190	1.15	1,180
Laundry and dry-cleaning workers	22,810	1.15	460
Retail salespersons	27,990	1.15	11,100
Payroll and timekeeping clerks	38,170	1.14	280
Automotive service technicians and mechanics	41,330	1.14	1,430
New accounts clerks	34,670	1.14	220
Human resources managers, all other	107,660	1.13	170
Instructional coordinators	65,240	1.13	350
Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials	22,390	1.13	140
Tellers	26,780	1.13	1,400
Paralegals and legal assistants	48,310	1.13	490
Anesthesiologists	211,780	1.12	110
Network and computer systems administrators	68,910	1.12	1,400
Office clerks, general	28,460	1.12	7,820
Sales and related workers, all other	43,890	1.12	320
Medical assistants	31,360	1.12	970
Home health aides	23,700	1.12	1,420
Helpers--production workers	26,370	1.12	320
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders	29,090	1.11	630
Security guards	28,090	1.11	2,510
Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance	38,650	1.11	380
First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers	50,070	1.11	3,170
General and operations managers	106,680	1.11	2,740
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	32,200	1.11	140
Database administrators	72,510	1.1	290

Highest Paying Jobs in Des Moines, Iowa Metro Area (2008 data)

Title	Mean Local Salary	Local Jobs
Surgeons	214,770
Psychiatrists	214,360
Anesthesiologists	211,780	110
Family and general practitioners	160,470	470
Chief executives	160,460	790
Physicians and surgeons, all other	158,530	550
Dentists, general	151,750	170
Optometrists	132,330	70
Natural sciences managers	127,500	120
Lawyers	110,100	1,270
Sales managers	107,890	670
Human resources managers, all other	107,660	170
General and operations managers	106,680	2,740
Computer and information systems managers	102,010	850
Sales engineers	99,630	100
Financial managers	98,450	2,050
Marketing managers	98,130	550
Industrial production managers	94,300	230
Air traffic controllers	92,300	50
Engineering managers	92,130	70
Actuaries	91,150	410
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products	90,700	1,130
Medical and health services managers	86,100	910
Compensation and benefits managers	84,750	150
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary	82,810	190
Pharmacists	82,780	750
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school	81,900	340
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers	81,300	660
Electronics engineers, except computer	81,040	120
Computer software engineers, systems software	80,700	610
Construction managers	80,510	440
Physician assistants	80,410	200
Computer hardware engineers	80,060	50
Administrative services managers	79,920	1,100
Civil engineers	79,670	480
Public relations managers	79,040	170
Training and development managers	78,300	100
Education administrators, postsecondary	77,910	280
Education administrators, all other	77,540	100
First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives	76,880	200
Financial examiners	76,750	280
Computer software engineers, applications	76,590	1,280
Managers, all other	76,090	1,260
Social scientists and related workers, all other	73,860	30
Purchasing managers	73,440	80
Personal financial advisors	72,750	450
Database administrators	72,510	290
Soil and plant scientists	72,480	480
Computer systems analysts	72,250	3,320
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers	71,740	270

Large Companies Headquartered in Des Moines

Company	Revenue 2005 (billions)
Principal Financial	9
AmerUs Group	1.6

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