SOC 53-1047 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — Des Moines
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA · 7 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $61,340 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $62,890.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $61,340 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $62,890. Half of workers earn between $51,930 and $77,580. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $42,800 and the ninetieth at $87,900.
The area has 1,690 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.04 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Davenport leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $63,430. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 253rd of 508 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $42,800 | −31.9% |
| 25th | $51,930 | −17.4% |
| Median (50th) | $61,340 | −2.5% |
| 75th | $77,580 | +23.4% |
| 90th | $87,900 | +39.8% |
| Mean | $65,310 | +3.8% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Davenport | $63,430 | 860 | |
| 2 | Sioux City | $61,320 | 330 | |
| 3 | Cedar Rapids | $59,730 | 690 | |
| 4 | Waterloo | $59,660 | 330 | |
| 5 | Dubuque | $59,620 | 290 | |
| 6 | Iowa City | $58,570 | 260 | |
| 7 | Ames | $58,270 | 180 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Des Moines run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $61,340 goes as far as $69,863 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 11.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$61,340as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$69,863US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $61,340 a year, 2.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $42,800 to $87,900 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,690 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Davenport, at $63,430.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors in Des Moines, IA?
The median annual wage is $61,340, or $29.49 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 $62,890, so pay in Des Moines, IA is 2.5% 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 Des Moines, IA earns more than $87,900 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $42,800 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 Davenport, at $63,430 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,690 jobs in this occupation in Des Moines, IA. 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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