Motion Designer.
Des Moines.
$78,000
median salary, 11% below the national average
$60,000 to $102,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
Des Moines is 14% cheaper than the national average. For Motion Designers, that shakes out to a median of $78,000, with the full range spanning $60,000 to $102,000. Proficiency in After Effects, Cinema 4D, and real-time engines like Unreal drives top-tier pay. Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $70,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$51,000
to $62,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$66,000
to $82,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$86,000
to $101,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$98,000
to $121,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $19,000 to the total package.
Base
$78,000
Equity
$10,000
Bonus
$7,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $97,000
How Des Moines compares
Des Moines, IA
$78,000
Cost of living: 14% below average
National Average
$88,000
Des Moines is $10,000 below
Motion Designer salary by city
Salary by role in Des Moines
What you should know
The Motion Designer 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 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. Proficiency in After Effects, Cinema 4D, and real-time engines like Unreal drives top-tier pay. Motion designers working on product UI animations for tech companies earn significantly more than those focused on marketing videos. Location and industry matter heavily.
Junior Motion Designers earn $68,000 to $78,000. Mid-level professionals with a strong reel reach $85,000 to $100,000. Senior Motion Designers and Creative Directors specializing in motion command $110,000 to $140,000, especially in entertainment or big tech. 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. Freelance motion designers can charge $75 to $150 per hour, often exceeding salaried equivalents. Full-time roles may include 5 to 10% bonuses, equipment stipends for high-end workstations, and software license coverage. 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 $78,000, 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 Motion Designers in Des Moines runs from $60,000 to $102,000. 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 Physical Therapist in Des Moines earns $77,000 (1% less)
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Common questions.
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