Chief Operating Officer.
Des Moines.
$221,000
median salary, 13% below the national average
$165,000 to $295,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
A Chief Operating Officer in Des Moines earns a median of $221,000 in 2026. That is 13% below the national average. The range runs from $165,000 to $295,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Operational complexity, number of direct reports, and company revenue are the strongest predictors.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $199,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$144,000
to $177,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$188,000
to $232,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$243,000
to $287,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$276,000
to $343,000
Salary trend
+7% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $137,000 to the total package.
Base
$221,000
Equity
$73,000
Bonus
$46,000
Signing
$18,000
Estimated total: $358,000
How Des Moines compares
Des Moines, IA
$221,000
Cost of living: 14% below average
National Average
$255,000
Des Moines is $34,000 below
Chief Operating Officer salary by city
Salary by role in Des Moines
What you should know
Here is what the Chief Operating Officer market actually looks like in Des Moines. Des Moines is a major insurance and financial services hub, home to Principal Financial, EMC Insurance, and a growing fintech community. The metro's extremely low cost of living and strong job market make it one of the best value cities for finance professionals. Tech employment is growing as insurtech companies expand. Operational complexity, number of direct reports, and company revenue are the strongest predictors. COOs overseeing manufacturing, supply chain, and global operations earn more than those in services or tech. The COO role varies widely in scope, and those serving as clear CEO successors command premium compensation.
Senior VPs of operations earn $170,000 to $220,000 before the COO step. First-time COOs at mid-market companies start at $200,000 to $270,000. COOs at large enterprises with global operations earn $300,000 to $400,000 in base, with total comp reaching $700,000 to $2 million. In Des Moines, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 14% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Annual bonuses of 30 to 60% of base tied to operational metrics like margin improvement and efficiency gains are standard. Equity packages at growth companies add $100,000 to $500,000 in annualized value. Retention bonuses are common for succession-track COOs. And on the tax side: iowa has a flat 3.8% state income tax. Des Moines has no city income tax. The low tax rate and affordable housing create strong purchasing power. When someone quotes you $221,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Benchmark against national insurance industry pay scales. Des Moines insurance employers must compete with remote offers from larger metros and will often match. The range for Chief Operating Officers in Des Moines runs from $165,000 to $295,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Head of AI Platform in Des Moines earns $222,000 (0% more)
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