Baker salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Bakers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $37,680 a year ($18.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 700 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,700 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $37,160. Pay here is 1% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $37,210. There are 1.7 bakers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bakers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,740 | $13.34 |
| 25th percentile | $35,510 | $17.07 |
| Median | $37,680 | $18.12 |
| 75th percentile | $41,650 | $20.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,700 | $23.89 |
| Average (mean) | $38,760 | $18.64 |
Half of bakers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,140 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,570 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,449.23 |
| Weekly | $724.62 |
| Hourly | $18.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Baker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $41,160 | 110 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $37,390 | 130 |
| Iowa City, IA | $37,140 | 150 |
| Ames, IA | $36,520 | 90 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $36,430 | 570 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $34,210 | 250 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $30,460 | 130 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $29,870 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for bakers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $46,710 |
| Washington | $46,140 |
| District of Columbia | $44,040 |
| California | $43,120 |
| Colorado | $40,650 |
| Minnesota | $40,210 |
| Wyoming | $40,000 |
| Vermont | $39,980 |
| Alaska | $39,710 |
| Nevada | $39,540 |
See Baker pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $36,770 | $17.68 |
| Food Batchmaker | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $45,750 | $21.99 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $42,960 | $20.66 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $49,780 | $23.93 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $71,150 | $34.21 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,850 | $24.45 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $59,980 | $28.84 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $51,100 | $24.57 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,660 | $19.55 |
| Printing Press Operator | $43,450 | $20.89 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $48,700 | $23.42 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-3011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a baker make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for bakers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $37,680 a year, or $18.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bakers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of bakers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $49,700 a year. The top 25% earn $41,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for bakers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,740 a year, and a quarter of bakers earn $35,510 or less.
How many bakers work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 700 bakers are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.