Paycheck Atlas

Photographers salary in Des Moines, IA

The median photographers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA earns $42,080 a year, 6% below the US median. After tax that is roughly $2,866 a month.

10th percentile
$21,360
25th percentile
$25,550
Median percentile
$42,080
75th percentile
$63,990
90th percentile
$78,920

Based on 170 employed. Data period: BLS OEWS May 2025. Percentiles show the spread of pay, not experience; reading the 25th percentile as "entry level" is only an approximation.

What you keep

$34,392 take-home a year
Gross pay$42,080
Federal income tax−$2,870
Social Security + Medicare−$3,219
Iowa income tax (approx.)−$1,599
Monthly take-home$2,866
Every two weeks$1,323

Does it go far here?

$45,888Median pay in Des Moines, IA is worth this at average US prices (local price level 91.7 vs 100).
40%of take-home pay goes to the median rent ($1,150 a month, Census ACS).

Top-paying jobs in Des Moines, IA

JobMedian pay
Chief Executives$290,870
Computer and Information Systems Managers$164,840
Financial Managers$154,140
Pharmacists$141,110
Managers, All Other$139,110
Human Resources Managers$138,140
Sales Managers$136,570
Marketing Managers$135,140

All photographers salaries · Take-home pay in Iowa