Personal Care & Fitness Des Moines, IA Pop. 214,133

Personal Trainer Salary in Des Moines, Iowa

The median personal trainer salary in Des Moines, IA is $41,750 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 3.4% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$41,750
vs State Avg
+$1,362
vs National
$-3,630
Cost of Living
92%

Personal Trainer Pay in Des Moines: What to Expect (2026)

Des Moines offers a median personal trainer salary of $41,750, which is $1,362 above the Iowa state average of $40,388. Compared to the national median of $45,380, 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 personal trainers in Des Moines spans from $23,920 at the 10th percentile to $75,440 at the 90th percentile — a $51,520 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $25,760, while senior personal trainers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $71,760. With a population of 214,133, Des Moines is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Personal Trainer Salary in Des Moines by Experience

In Des Moines, an entry-level personal trainer earns around $25,760, while experienced professionals earn up to $71,760 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$25,760
$-2,240 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$42,320
$-3,680 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$71,760
$-6,240 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Des Moines, IA

Percentile Des Moines
10th Percentile $23,920
25th Percentile $30,360
Median (50th) $41,750
75th Percentile $57,040
90th Percentile $75,440

Personal Trainer Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$43,111
Pop. 74,828
Cedar Rapids, IA
$39,934
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$39,027
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$38,119
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Personal Trainer in Des Moines

Education

Most personal trainer positions require a high school diploma. Des Moines and the surrounding Iowa area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Exercise ScienceProgram DesignAnatomyNutritionCPR/AEDClient Motivation

Job Outlook

Nationally, personal trainer employment is projected to grow 14% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Des Moines may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Personal Trainer Jobs in Des Moines

Browse open personal trainer positions in Des Moines, IA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Personal Trainer Salary in Des Moines

How much does a Personal Trainer make in Des Moines, IA? ▼
The median personal trainer salary in Des Moines, Iowa is $41,750 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $45,380. Salaries range from $23,920 (10th percentile) to $75,440 (90th percentile).
How much does a Personal Trainer make per hour in Des Moines? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $41,750, a personal trainer in Des Moines earns approximately $20 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Des Moines compare to the Iowa state average for personal trainer pay? ▼
Des Moines's median personal trainer salary of $41,750 is 3.4% above the Iowa state average of $40,388. 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 personal trainer salary of $41,750 in Des Moines has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a personal trainer in Des Moines? ▼
Most personal trainer positions in Des Moines require a high school diploma. Key skills include Exercise Science, Program Design, Anatomy, Nutrition. The job market is projected to grow 14% nationally over the next decade.