SOC 27-3043 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Writers and Authors — Des Moines
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA · 2 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Des Moines, IA is $63,010 a year, trailing the national median of $76,910 by 18.1%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Des Moines, IA is $63,010 a year, trailing the national median of $76,910 by 18.1%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $58,490 and $74,650. The lowest tenth earn under $52,080, while the highest tenth earn more than $95,440.
The area has 90 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.71 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Cedar Rapids records the highest median at $62,110. Of the 508 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 228th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $52,080 | −32.3% |
| 25th | $58,490 | −24.0% |
| Median (50th) | $63,010 | −18.1% |
| 75th | $74,650 | −2.9% |
| 90th | $95,440 | +24.1% |
| Mean | $67,610 | −12.1% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cedar Rapids | $62,110 | 40 | |
| 2 | Iowa City | $49,000 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Des Moines run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $63,010 goes as far as $71,765 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 6.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$63,010as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$71,765US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $63,010 a year, 18.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $52,080 to $95,440 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 90 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Cedar Rapids, at $62,110.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Writers and Authors in Des Moines, IA?
The median annual wage is $63,010, or $30.29 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 $76,910, so pay in Des Moines, IA is 18.1% 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 $95,440 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $52,080 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 Cedar Rapids, at $62,110 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 90 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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