VP of Risk.
Des Moines.
$261,000
median salary, 13% below the national average
$221,000 to $339,000. Last updated July 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
A VP of Risk in Des Moines earns a median of $261,000 in 2026. That is 13% below the national average. The range runs from $221,000 to $339,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. VP of Risk compensation scales with team size under management, scope of organizational responsibility, and track record of hiring and retaining talent.
Salary range.
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience.
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $235,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$170,000
to $209,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$222,000
to $274,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$287,000
to $339,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$326,000
to $405,000
Salary trend.
+7% YoYTotal compensation.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $162,000 to the total package.
Base
$261,000
Equity
$86,000
Bonus
$55,000
Signing
$21,000
Estimated total: $423,000
How Des Moines compares.
Des Moines, IA
$261,000
Cost of living: 14% below average
National Average
$300,000
Des Moines is $39,000 below
VP of Risk salary by city.
Salary by role in Des Moines.
What you should know.
The VP of Risk 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. VP of Risk compensation scales with team size under management, scope of organizational responsibility, and track record of hiring and retaining talent. Equity is a major component at roughly 35% of base — candidates should weight stock grants as heavily as salary when comparing offers. Within finance and business operations, licensure (CFA, CPA, FP&A) and industry (tech, banking, consulting) shift the compensation band by 20–40%.
VP of Risks progress Analyst → Manager → Senior Manager → Director → VP over 10 to 15 years in corporate finance, or Associate → VP → Director → MD in investment banking. Certifications (MBA, CFA) unlock specific transitions. For VP of Risks specifically, the seniority anchor means roughly 12+ years of experience and demonstrated P&L or strategic leadership. 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. Total compensation for VP of Risks runs roughly $397K at median when factoring base + equity (35% of base annually) + bonus (20% of base). Equity is the single largest non-base component — candidates should model vesting schedules (typically 4-year with 1-year cliff) and compare grant values across offers carefully. In corporate finance and banking, bonus is a major component and can double the base in top-performing years (investment banking) or add 20–40% (corporate finance). 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 $261,000, 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 VP of Risks in Des Moines runs from $221,000 to $339,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: BLS OES, H-1B LCA (DOL), state pay-transparency job postings, and community submissions. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified July 1, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Chief Science Officer in Des Moines earns $259,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Des Moines is Senior VP of Security at $295,000
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