SOC 11-3111 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Compensation and Benefits Managers — Iowa
Iowa · 1 metro areas compared
The median wage for Compensation and Benefits Managers in Iowa is $118,250 per year, 20.8% below the national median of $149,230.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Compensation and Benefits Managers in Iowa is $118,250 per year, 20.8% below the national median of $149,230. Half of workers earn between $94,640 and $167,940. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $77,000 and the ninetieth at $202,600.
Employment stands at 120, or 0.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Iowa ranks number 33rd out of 45 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Des Moines records the highest median at $150,850. Of the 711 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 48th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $77,000 | −48.4% |
| 25th | $94,640 | −36.6% |
| Median (50th) | $118,250 | −20.8% |
| 75th | $167,940 | +12.5% |
| 90th | $202,600 | +35.8% |
| Mean | $135,150 | −9.4% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | $150,850 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Iowa run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $118,250 goes as far as $134,681 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 9.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$118,250as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$134,681US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $118,250 a year, 20.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $77,000 to $202,600 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 120 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 33rd of 45 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Des Moines, at $150,850.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Compensation and Benefits Managers in Iowa?
The median annual wage is $118,250, or $56.85 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $149,230, so pay in Iowa is 20.8% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Iowa earns more than $202,600 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $77,000 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Des Moines, at $150,850 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 120 jobs in this occupation in Iowa. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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