Home Health Aide.
Des Moines.
$28,000
median salary, 15% below the national average
$24,000 to $34,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a Home Health Aide offer in Des Moines, IA, here is the reality: $24,000 to $34,000, with $28,000 as the midpoint. 15% below the national average. State minimum wage laws and Medicaid reimbursement rates are the primary salary drivers. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $25,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$18,000
to $22,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$24,000
to $29,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$31,000
to $36,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$35,000
to $43,000
Salary trend
+8% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $6,000 to the total package.
Base
$28,000
Equity
$3,000
Bonus
$2,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $34,000
How Des Moines compares
Des Moines, IA
$28,000
Cost of living: 14% below average
National Average
$33,000
Des Moines is $5,000 below
Home Health Aide salary by city
Salary by role in Des Moines
What you should know
The Home Health Aide landscape in Des Moines is not what most salary sites will tell you. Des Moines is a major insurance and financial services hub, home to Principal Financial, EMC Insurance, and a growing fintech community. The city's extremely low cost of living and strong job market make it one of the best value cities for finance professionals. State minimum wage laws and Medicaid reimbursement rates are the primary salary drivers. Aides with specialized training in dementia care or wound care earn higher rates. Urban areas with higher cost of living pay more, and agencies offering benefits packages tend to attract experienced aides at premium hourly rates.
New home health aides start at $27,000 to $30,000 with basic certification. Experienced aides with specialty skills earn $33,000 to $38,000 after three to five years. Senior aides who advance to CNA or LPN roles can reach $42,000 to $55,000 with additional licensure. 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. Benefits vary widely by employer, with agency-employed aides more likely to receive health insurance, paid time off, and mileage reimbursement. Some states mandate paid sick leave and overtime protections that effectively increase total compensation. And on the tax side: iowa has a flat 3.8% state income tax. Des Moines has no city income tax. The low rate and affordable housing create strong purchasing power. When someone quotes you $28,000, 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 compete with remote offers from larger metros. The range for Home Health Aides in Des Moines runs from $24,000 to $34,000. 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 Pharmacy Technician in Des Moines earns $32,000 (14% more)
- The highest-paying role in Des Moines is Distinguished Engineer at $295,000
Common questions.
Home Health Aide salary in other cities
Other salaries in Des Moines
Related
Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
Want this data on your site? Embed the salary widget — one script tag, free forever.