Compensation & Benefits Specialist Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines

Manages employee pay structures, benefits programs, and job classification systems.

Ranks #311 of 530 metros·Iowa·$71,365 avg

Des Moines-West Des Moines ranks #311 of 530 U.S. metro areas for compensation & benefits specialist pay. Entry-level salaries here are $1,438 below the national average.

Level I
$48,818
vs national avg: -3%
Level II
$60,029
vs national avg: -3%
Level III
$71,240
vs national avg: -3%
Level IV
$82,451
vs national avg: -3%

Des Moines-West Des Moines vs National Average

LevelThis MetroNational AvgDifference% Change
Level I (Entry)$48,818$50,256$-1,438-2.9%
Level II$60,029$61,931$-1,902-3.1%
Level III (Mid)$71,240$73,605$-2,365-3.2%
Level IV (Senior)$82,451$85,280$-2,829-3.3%

Other metros in Iowa

Metro AreaLevel ILevel IVAverage
Cedar Rapids$51,730$91,686$78,499
Omaha$50,606$90,085$77,064
Waterloo-Cedar Falls$52,478$84,490$73,923
Dubuque$49,421$84,843$73,154
Southwest Iowa$48,110$82,534$71,178

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average compensation & benefits specialist salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines?

The average compensation & benefits specialist salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines is $71,365 per year, based on U.S. Department of Labor employer survey data. This places Des Moines-West Des Moines at rank #311 out of 530 U.S. metro areas surveyed.

What do entry-level compensation & benefits specialists earn in Des Moines-West Des Moines?

Entry-level compensation & benefits specialists (Level I) in Des Moines-West Des Moines earn $48,818 per year. Level II (early career) earns $60,029, reflecting growing independence and experience.

How does Des Moines-West Des Moines compare to the national average for compensation & benefits specialist salaries?

Des Moines-West Des Moines ranks #311 of 530 U.S. metro areas for compensation & benefits specialist pay. Entry-level salaries here are $1,438 below the national average. The national average compensation & benefits specialist salary is $73,722, while Des Moines-West Des Moines workers average $71,365 — a difference of -3% overall.

Data source: Salary data sourced from the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers nationwide to collect wage data by occupation and geography. The four experience levels reflect DOL standardized tiers. Data reflects the most recently published survey cycle. SOC code: 13-1141.