Healthcare Des Moines, IA Pop. 214,133

Emergency Medicine Physician Salary in Des Moines, Iowa

The median emergency medicine physician salary in Des Moines, IA is $285,200 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 3.4% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$285,200
vs State Avg
+$9,300
vs National
$-24,800
Cost of Living
92%

Emergency Medicine Physician Pay in Des Moines: What to Expect (2026)

Des Moines offers a median emergency medicine physician salary of $285,200, which is $9,300 above the Iowa state average of $275,900. Compared to the national median of $310,000, Des Moines pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Des Moines's cost of living is 92% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for emergency medicine physicians in Des Moines spans from $165,600 at the 10th percentile to $437,000 at the 90th percentile — a $271,400 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $170,200, while senior emergency medicine physicians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $423,200. With a population of 214,133, Des Moines is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Emergency Medicine Physician Salary in Des Moines by Experience

In Des Moines, an entry-level emergency medicine physician earns around $170,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $423,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$170,200
$-14,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$289,800
$-25,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$423,200
$-36,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Des Moines, IA

Percentile Des Moines
10th Percentile $165,600
25th Percentile $220,800
Median (50th) $285,200
75th Percentile $368,000
90th Percentile $437,000

Emergency Medicine Physician Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$294,500
Pop. 74,828
Cedar Rapids, IA
$272,800
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$266,600
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$260,400
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Emergency Medicine Physician in Des Moines

Education

Most emergency medicine physician positions require a doctoral degree. Des Moines and the surrounding Iowa area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Emergency MedicineTrauma CareTriageCritical CareProceduresDecision Making

Job Outlook

Nationally, emergency medicine physician employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Des Moines may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Emergency Medicine Physician Jobs in Des Moines

Browse open emergency medicine physician positions in Des Moines, IA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Emergency Medicine Physician Salary in Des Moines

How much does a Emergency Medicine Physician make in Des Moines, IA? ▼
The median emergency medicine physician salary in Des Moines, Iowa is $285,200 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $310,000. Salaries range from $165,600 (10th percentile) to $437,000 (90th percentile).
How much does a Emergency Medicine Physician make per hour in Des Moines? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $285,200, a emergency medicine physician in Des Moines earns approximately $137 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Des Moines compare to the Iowa state average for emergency medicine physician pay? ▼
Des Moines's median emergency medicine physician salary of $285,200 is 3.4% above the Iowa state average of $275,900. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Des Moines, IA? ▼
Des Moines has a cost of living index of 92% compared to the national average. This means a emergency medicine physician salary of $285,200 in Des Moines has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a emergency medicine physician in Des Moines? ▼
Most emergency medicine physician positions in Des Moines require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Emergency Medicine, Trauma Care, Triage, Critical Care. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.