Business & Finance Des Moines, IA Pop. 214,133

Real Estate Agent Salary in Des Moines, Iowa

The median real estate agent salary in Des Moines, IA is $47,868 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 3.4% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$47,868
vs State Avg
+$1,561
vs National
$-4,162
Cost of Living
92%

Real Estate Agent Pay in Des Moines: What to Expect (2026)

Des Moines offers a median real estate agent salary of $47,868, which is $1,561 above the Iowa state average of $46,307. Compared to the national median of $52,030, 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 real estate agents in Des Moines spans from $26,496 at the 10th percentile to $103,408 at the 90th percentile — a $76,912 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $27,600, while senior real estate agents with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $101,200. With a population of 214,133, Des Moines is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Real Estate Agent Salary in Des Moines by Experience

In Des Moines, an entry-level real estate agent earns around $27,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $101,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$27,600
$-2,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$50,600
$-4,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$101,200
$-8,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Des Moines, IA

Percentile Des Moines
10th Percentile $26,496
25th Percentile $32,568
Median (50th) $47,868
75th Percentile $70,104
90th Percentile $103,408

Real Estate Agent Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$49,429
Pop. 74,828
Cedar Rapids, IA
$45,786
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$44,746
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$43,705
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Des Moines

Education

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

Key Skills

NegotiationMarket AnalysisCustomer ServiceMLS SystemsMarketingContract Knowledge

Job Outlook

Nationally, real estate agent employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Des Moines may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Real Estate Agent Jobs in Des Moines

Browse open real estate agent positions in Des Moines, IA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Real Estate Agent Salary in Des Moines

How much does a Real Estate Agent make in Des Moines, IA? ▼
The median real estate agent salary in Des Moines, Iowa is $47,868 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $52,030. Salaries range from $26,496 (10th percentile) to $103,408 (90th percentile).
How much does a Real Estate Agent make per hour in Des Moines? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $47,868, a real estate agent in Des Moines earns approximately $23 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Des Moines compare to the Iowa state average for real estate agent pay? ▼
Des Moines's median real estate agent salary of $47,868 is 3.4% above the Iowa state average of $46,307. 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 real estate agent salary of $47,868 in Des Moines has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a real estate agent in Des Moines? ▼
Most real estate agent positions in Des Moines require a high school diploma. Key skills include Negotiation, Market Analysis, Customer Service, MLS Systems. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.