Plumber.
Des Moines.
$50,000
median salary, 17% below the national average
$38,000 to $64,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median Plumber salary in Des Moines is $50,000, 17% below the national average. Entry level starts near $38,000. Experienced professionals push past $64,000. Des Moines is a major insurance and financial services hub, home to Principal Financial, EMC Insurance, and a growing fintech community. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $45,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$33,000
to $40,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$43,000
to $53,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$55,000
to $65,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$63,000
to $78,000
Salary trend
+6% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $13,000 to the total package.
Base
$50,000
Equity
$7,000
Bonus
$5,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $63,000
How Des Moines compares
Des Moines, IA
$50,000
Cost of living: 14% below average
National Average
$60,000
Des Moines is $10,000 below
Plumber salary by city
Salary by role in Des Moines
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Plumber roles in Des Moines, here is what you are walking into. 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. Licensed master plumbers earn 25 to 35% more than journeymen, with commercial and industrial specialization pushing pay to the top of the range. Plumbers who handle gas line work, backflow prevention, or medical gas systems command premium rates. Union membership in major metro areas provides the strongest wage floors.
Apprentice plumbers start at $32,000 to $40,000 during their four to five year apprenticeship. Journeymen earn $46,000 to $65,000, while master plumbers reach $65,000 to $85,000. Plumbing contractors who run their own businesses can earn $90,000 to $150,000 or more. 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. Union plumbers receive health insurance, pension contributions, and annuity funds worth $15,000 to $25,000 annually on top of wages. Overtime during emergency calls can add $8,000 to $15,000 per year, especially for on-call residential specialists. 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 $50,000, 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 Plumbers in Des Moines runs from $38,000 to $64,000. 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 IT Support Specialist in Des Moines earns $49,000 (2% less)
- The highest-paying role in Des Moines is Chief AI Officer at $277,000
Common questions.
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