Project Management Specialist salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Project Management Specialists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $101,150 a year ($48.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,640 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $150,290 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $102,320. Pay here is 5% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $96,540. There are 6.5 project management specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $110,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for project management specialists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,760 | $31.62 |
| 25th percentile | $80,100 | $38.51 |
| Median | $101,150 | $48.63 |
| 75th percentile | $146,820 | $70.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $150,290 | $72.26 |
| Average (mean) | $110,440 | $53.10 |
Half of project management specialists 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 | $8,429.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,214.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,890.38 |
| Weekly | $1,945.19 |
| Hourly | $48.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $101,150 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Project Management Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $104,690 | 290 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $102,880 | 650 |
| Ames, IA | $97,290 | 260 |
| Iowa City, IA | $96,820 | 420 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $93,760 | 850 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $85,130 | 200 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $82,460 | 1,670 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $81,600 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for project management specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $124,160 |
| New Jersey | $122,980 |
| Delaware | $122,190 |
| New York | $121,040 |
| California | $120,910 |
| Virginia | $120,840 |
| Massachusetts | $114,190 |
| Colorado | $110,050 |
| New Mexico | $106,970 |
| Oregon | $105,480 |
See Project Management Specialist pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $86,540 | $41.61 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $76,580 | $36.82 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $71,600 | $34.42 |
| Management Analyst | $90,730 | $43.62 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $73,710 | $35.44 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $74,610 | $35.87 |
| Compliance Officer | $84,590 | $40.67 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $73,710 | $35.44 |
| Cost Estimator | $78,500 | $37.74 |
| Logistician | $77,860 | $37.43 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $77,990 | $37.50 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $60,410 | $29.04 |
| Fundraiser | $65,060 | $31.28 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $81,960 | $39.40 |
More: Business and Financial Operations 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 13-1082. 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 project management specialist make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for project management specialists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $101,150 a year, or $48.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $150,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid project management specialists make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of project management specialists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $150,290 a year. The top 25% earn $146,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for project management specialists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,760 a year, and a quarter of project management specialists earn $80,100 or less.
How many project management specialists work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 2,640 project management specialists are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.