Transportation & Logistics Des Moines, IA Pop. 214,133

Operations Manager Salary in Des Moines, Iowa

The median operations manager salary in Des Moines, IA is $95,358 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 3.4% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$95,358
vs State Avg
+$3,109
vs National
$-8,292
Cost of Living
92%

Operations Manager Pay in Des Moines: What to Expect (2026)

Des Moines offers a median operations manager salary of $95,358, which is $3,109 above the Iowa state average of $92,249. Compared to the national median of $103,650, 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 operations managers in Des Moines spans from $53,360 at the 10th percentile to $170,200 at the 90th percentile — a $116,840 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $57,040, while senior operations managers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $161,000. With a population of 214,133, Des Moines is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Operations Manager Salary in Des Moines by Experience

In Des Moines, an entry-level operations manager earns around $57,040, while experienced professionals earn up to $161,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$57,040
$-4,960 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$97,520
$-8,480 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$161,000
$-14,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Des Moines, IA

Percentile Des Moines
10th Percentile $53,360
25th Percentile $69,920
Median (50th) $95,358
75th Percentile $128,800
90th Percentile $170,200

Operations Manager Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$98,468
Pop. 74,828
Cedar Rapids, IA
$91,212
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$89,139
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$87,066
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Operations Manager in Des Moines

Education

Most operations manager positions require a bachelor's degree. Des Moines and the surrounding Iowa area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Operations ManagementProcess ImprovementBudgetingLeadershipSix SigmaData Analysis

Job Outlook

Nationally, operations manager employment is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Des Moines may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Operations Manager Jobs in Des Moines

Browse open operations manager positions in Des Moines, IA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Operations Manager Salary in Des Moines

How much does a Operations Manager make in Des Moines, IA? ▼
The median operations manager salary in Des Moines, Iowa is $95,358 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $103,650. Salaries range from $53,360 (10th percentile) to $170,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Operations Manager make per hour in Des Moines? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $95,358, a operations manager in Des Moines earns approximately $46 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Des Moines compare to the Iowa state average for operations manager pay? ▼
Des Moines's median operations manager salary of $95,358 is 3.4% above the Iowa state average of $92,249. 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 operations manager salary of $95,358 in Des Moines has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a operations manager in Des Moines? ▼
Most operations manager positions in Des Moines require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Operations Management, Process Improvement, Budgeting, Leadership. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.