2016 Salary Guide
Central Iowa Growth
and Stability
Colleagues:
We all have a lot to be proud of and thankful for while
living and working in central Iowa. Communities and
businesses across our region are working together
for the betterment of all, and this is paying huge
dividends as we see tremendous economic growth
and stability in central Iowa.
It is fun watching companies grow, prosper and
succeed. Due to this growth, the hiring landscape
for talent in the Des Moines market has continued
to tighten as unemployment rates drop to historic
lows. The demand for talent in many sectors has
grown beyond the supply in central Iowa, which
has caused a slight uptick in salaries.
With all of this going on, it remains an exciting time
to be in the employment industry as we speak with
thousands of job seekers yearly and work with
hundreds of local companies. With our focused
exposure in central Iowa, we have compiled data and
trends for our 2016 Salary Guide. We are pleased to
be able to share this information with you.
Palmer Group’s employment experts would be happy
to answer any questions you may have and to help
you narrow down the salary ranges for your specific
needs. Please feel free to contact us at any time.
Here is to a prosperous 2016!
David Leto
Executive Vice President
Building Businesses and Careers
Central Iowa Business Leaders:
As you know, the Greater Des Moines Partnership is
the regional economic and community development
organization serving central Iowa. Together with 21
Affiliate Chambers of Commerce and more than 5,700
business members, we help grow opportunity, create
jobs and promote central Iowa as the best place to build
a business, a career and a future.
Greater Des Moines is riding a wave of economic
development momentum. Our region continues to
garner a wide range of top national rankings, including
Forbes’ 2014 #1 Best City for Young Professionals,
Forbes’ #2 Best City for Jobs in 2015 and NBC News’
#3 Top City to Land Work. Major central Iowa
employers, including American Enterprise, BridgestoneFirestone, Delta Dental, DuPont Pioneer, EMC Insurance
Companies, Facebook, Hy-Vee, John Deere, Kemin
Industries, Kum and Go, Microsoft, The Principal
Financial Group, Wells Fargo, and many others are
making significant new capital investments across the
region. They know that central Iowa is the best place to
grow and expand their businesses.
To keep this momentum moving forward, we need to
continue to attract and retain a highly-skilled workforce.
The Partnership has many efforts devoted to this,
including our Education Drives Our Great Economy
(EDGE) initiative, which ensures that everyone, from
children through adults, realize their full potential via
lifelong quality education opportunities. As a region,
we must continue to strengthen our education
and workforce development systems and invest in
our regional quality of life amenities. As a business
community, we must ensure that we offer rewarding
careers, desirable work environments and competitive
wages. By doing so, Greater Des Moines will continue to
attract and retain top talent, build upon our successes,
and position our region as a leader in workforce
attraction and retention.
Thank you for helping to make Greater Des Moines
even greater!
Sincerely,
Jay Byers
CEO, Greater Des Moines Partnership
2016 Central Iowa Salary Survey
The information in this guide is based on two central Iowa salary
sources. The first is the data we gather while assisting thousands
62.0
of job seekers with their career planning. Our current database
55.6
includes more than 37,000 local individuals currently employed or
seeking employment. The second source is the salary information
we gather while working on searches for actual job openings
here in central Iowa. In 2015, these totaled more than 1,900.
The combined result, we believe, is the most accurate summary of
25.6
25.7
salary information in central Iowa. In addition to salary figures, data
is included on how those organizations responding to our salary
survey plan to proceed in 2016 with regards to salary increases for
their employees.
8.3
9.6
4.1
0%
or No Raise
1-2%
3-4%
5+%
2015 Response 2016 Response
4
9.1
Table of Contents
Accounting & Finance
6
Mortgage & Banking
11
Engineering & Manufacturing
14
Human Resources
16
Information Technology
19
Insurance22
Office Administration & Customer Service
24
Marketing & Sales
27
A&F
Accounting & Finance
The employment conditions in the accounting & finance sector is strong for candidates, with low employment
rates making it difficult to find quality individuals. Additionally, in public accounting there is a shortage
of experienced tax and audit professionals. One solution may lie in the growing number of experienced
accounting & finance individuals nearing retirement, who are specifically looking for contract or project work.
6
Position
Management
Chief Financial Officer - Corporate
Chief Financial Officer - Midsized
Chief Financial Officer - Small
Corporate Controller
Controller - Midsized Company
Plant Controller (Manufacturing)
Controller - Small Company
Director of Financial Reporting
Director of Tax
Director of Internal Audit
Low
220,000
145,000
90,000
145,000
85,000
85,000
55,000
120,000
120,000
95,000
High
535,000
235,000
165,000
270,000
160,000
127,000
95,000
180,000
160,000
150,000
Low
80,000
80,000
55,000
55,000
85,000
68,000
70,000
High
120,000
120,000
97,000
90,000
135,000
97,000
100,000
Position
Accounting Management
Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis
Manager of Financial Reporting
Assistant Controller
Accouting Manager
Merger and Acquisitions
Audit Manager
Tax Manager
A&F
7 X Accounting & Finance
Position
Accounting & Finance
Finanicial Systems Analyst
Senior Financial Analyst
Financial Analyst
Senior Accountant
Staff Accountant
Senior Internal Audit
Internal Audit
Senior Tax Accountant
Tax Accountant
Cost Accountant
Low
60,000
55,000
40,000
55,000
38,000
60,000
45,000
60,000
45,000
50,000
High
85,000
85,000
65,000
77,000
55,000
90,000
60,000
90,000
65,000
75,000
Low
80,000
70,000
58,000
58,000
45,000
High
140,000
100,000
80,000
65,000
55,000
Position
Public Accounting
Senior Manager
Manager
Audit/Tax Senior
Auditor/Tax - Big 4
Auditor/Tax-Local/Regional Firm
A&F
8 X Accounting & Finance
Position
Accounting Bookkeeper
Office Manager
Bookkeeper
Accounting Associate
Accounts Receivable/Payable Manager
Accounts Receivable/Payable Specialist/Clerk
Billing Specialist
Low
41,600
29,120
29,120
45,000
24,960
24,960
High
65,000
45,760
45,760
60,000
37,740
41,600
Low
68,000
57,000
46,500
29,120
High
125,000
96,000
65,000
49,920
Position
Payroll
Director of Payroll
Payroll Manager
Payroll Supervisor
Payroll Specialist
A&F
9 X Accounting & Finance
Position
Finance - Other
Senior Credit Analyst
Credit Analyst
Procurement Manager
Buyer
Credit Manager
Collector
Compliance Manager
Senior Compliance Analyst
Compliance Analyst
A&F
10 X Accounting & Finance
Low
55,000
45,000
75,000
40,000
55,000
24,960
75,000
55,000
38,000
High
85,000
65,000
95,000
60,000
95,000
41,600
140,000
90,000
65,000
M&B
Mortgage & Banking
The mortgage industry continues to ramp back up due to low interest rates, loan modification programs and
new loan offerings for lower income applicants. The only area in the banking and mortgage sector where we
see demand softening is credit and collections due to a significant decrease in delinquencies and foreclosures.
11
Position
Mortgage
Phone Banker
Customer Service Representative
Loan Originator
Loan Processor/Closer
Loan Documentation Specialist
Loan Adjuster
Legal Process Specialist
Operations Processor
Credit Manager
Underwriter
Mortgage Quality Assurance
Mortgage Compliance
Loss Mitigation Specialist
Collector
Collections Manager
Claims Processor
M&B
12 X Mortgage & Banking
Low
22,500
21,500
32,000
28,000
25,000
27,500
28,000
25,000
50,000
42,000
42,000
38,000
28,000
25,000
50,000
28,000
High
32,000
32,000
55,000
55,000
45,000
42,000
36,000
30,000
75,000
80,000
60,000
62,500
33,000
42,000
75,000
35,000
Position
Banking
Teller
Teller Supervisor
Account Manager
Credit Analyst
Credit Manager
Underwriter
Processor/Closer
Phone Banker
Personal Banker
Financial Planner
Branch Manager
Investment/Treasury Analyst
Commercial Lender
Agricultural Lender
Senior Lender
Compliance Specialist
M&B
13 X Mortgage & Banking
Low
21,500
30,000
35,000
45,000
50,000
42,000
28,000
22,500
28,500
30,000
40,000
45,000
45,000
50,000
60,000
38,000
High
30,000
43,000
47,000
65,000
80,000
80,000
51,000
35,000
43,000
40,000
65,000
65,000
70,000
75,000
105,000
65,000
E&M
Engineering & Manufacturing
The demand for qualified candidates in the technical disciplines is outstripping supply in central Iowa.
Experienced candidates are seeing more opportunities with organizations of all sizes, and with a growing
focus on the Cultivation Corridor, qualified engineering and manufacturing professionals in
central Iowa continue to be highly sought after.
14
Position
Engineering
Drafter
Industrial Engineer
Manufacturing Engineer
Mechanical Engineer (Manufacturing)
Mechanical Engineer (HVAC)
Electrical Engineer
Structural Engineer
Civil Engineer
Quality Engineer
Chemical Engineer
Construction Engineer
Skilled Trades
Engineering Tech
Low
32,000
52,000
55,000
55,000
55,000
60,000
55,000
55,000
55,000
60,000
50,000
32,000
32,000
High
48,000
80,000
85,000
95,000
105,000
105,000
85,000
95,000
80,000
90,000
85,000
55,000
60,000
Low
75,000
100,000
150,000
High
125,000
175,000
250,000
Position
Management/Director Level
Manager Level
Director Level
Vice President Level
E&M
15 X Engineering & Manufacturing
HR
Human Resources
Great opportunities exist for degreed and certified Human Resources professionals at all levels in the
Des Moines area. In particular, there is an on-going need for Recruiters/Talent Acquisition Professionals
both on a contract and direct-hire basis due to the continuing improvement of the job market
in central Iowa.
16
Position
HR Leadership
Vice President of Human Resources
Human Resources Director
Human Resources Manager
Low
130,000
85,000
65,000
High
195,000
140,000
105,000
Low
120,000
85,000
65,000
65,000
50,000
50,000
High
165,000
155,000
105,000
90,000
75,000
75,000
Low
85,000
75,000
50,000
45,000
High
150,000
120,000
85,000
55,000
Position
Compensation/Benefits
Director of Compensation/Benefits
Director of Benefits
Compensation Manager
Senior Compensation Analyst
Compensation Analyst
Benefits Analyst
Position
Staffing/Recruitment
Director of Recruitment
Corporate Staffing Manager
Corporate Recruiter
Corporate Staffing Representative
HR
17 X Human Resources
Position
HR Generalist
Senior Human Resources Generalist
Human Resources Generalist
Human Resources Representative
Low
65,000
50,000
High
85,000
70,000
40,000
52,500
Low
115,000
80,000
High
155,000
105,000
Position
Training/Development
Vice President - Training/Development
Corporate Training Manager
18 X Human Resources
IT
Information Technology
While reports of national tech spending fluctuate from -5.5% to +2.5%, Palmer Group is experiencing a strong
demand for IT talent throughout central Iowa as our Agriculture, Health Care, Finance and Insurance clients
continue to expand their data management, cloud-based efforts and new business applications. Because of
these resource demands, we are seeing the mean salary rising within IT skill sets.
19
Position
Computers/Software
Application Developer
Business Systems Analyst
QA Analyst
IT Architect
Database Analyst
Project Manager
Tech Lead
Low
60,000
55,000
55,000
95,000
55,000
75,000
85,000
High
110,000
95,000
85,000
130,000
100,000
115,000
110,000
Low
33,000
42,000
24,000
40,000
35,000
45,000
50,000
65,000
80,000
95,000
High
42,000
50,000
37,000
50,000
45,000
55,000
70,000
90,000
105,000
125,000
Position
Computers/Hardware
Computer Operator
Senior Computer Operator
Help Desk
Senior Help Desk
Desktop
Senior Desktop
Systems Administrator
Systems Engineer
Senior Systems Engineer
Systems Architect
IT
20 X Information Technology
Position
Management
CIO
Program Manager
Application Development Manager
Network Manager
Help Desk Supervisor
IT
21 X Information Technology
Low
120,000
95,000
100,000
80,000
55,000
High
250,000
150,000
150,000
130,000
80,000
I
Insurance
With the large insurance presence in Des Moines and a strong demand for talent, it is a candidate
driven market, which allows currently employed candidates to be more selective in making career moves.
Candidates are receiving multiple offers within both temp-to-hire and direct-hire opportunities.
22
Position
Operations
Claims Adjustor
Claims Auditor
Commercial Lines Underwriter
Life/Health Underwriter
Chief Actuary
Low
35,000
35,000
45,000
50,000
165,000
High
60,000
60,000
65,000
70,000
250,000
Low
32,000
32,000
65,000
42,500
High
85,000
85,000
125,000
75,000
Low
35,000
60,000
75,000
80,000
High
55,000
90,000
110,000
125,000
Position
Sales
Life/Health/Annuity Sales Representative
Property/Casualty Sales Representative
Annuity Wholesaler
Employee Benefits Sales
Position
Management
Account Management
Claims Manager
Corporate Services Director
Compliance Manager
I
23 X Insurance
A&S
Office Administration & Customer Service
The Office Administration and Customer Service segments continue to grow and expand in central Iowa.
Candidates in this area have more employment opportunities than they have had in the last five years,
and they are able to demand higher pay and more schedule flexibility.
24
Position
Office Support
Clerical
Data Entry/Processors
Customer Service Representative
Low
25,000
25,000
25,000
High
35,000
34,000
42,000
Low
24,000
27,000
39,000
High
40,000
50,000
70,000
Position
Administrative
Receptionist
Administrative Assistant
Executive Assistant
A&S
25 X Office Administration & Customer Service
Position
Legal
Legal Secretary
Paralegal
Legal Assistant
Low
32,500
37,500
36,500
High
59,000
82,000
73,000
Position
Management
Team Leader
Customer Service Supervisor
Call Center Manager
A&S
26 X Office Administration & Customer Service
Low
36,000
40,000
55,000
High
58,000
75,000
125,000
M&S
Marketing & Sales
Marketing and sales employment has increased by more than 2% in central Iowa. As our clients need service
minded professionals to foster partnerships with their current and prospective clients, commissioned based
sales professionals continue to be in demand. Marketing professionals; such as Marketing Managers, Marketing
Specialists and Research Analysts, are being added to organizations across central Iowa.
27
Position
Marketing Management
Vice President of Marketing
Marketing Director
Creative Director
Communications Manager
Online Marketing Manager
Low
95,000
77,500
65,000
60,000
70,000
High
150,000
115,000
90,000
82,500
90,000
Low
65,000
70,000
55,000
37,500
45,000
55,000
38,000
70,000
High
85,000
95,000
75,000
55,000
75,000
75,000
55,000
95,000
Position
Marketing
Product Manager
Marketing Manager
Web Communiciation Specialist
Communications Coordinator
Marketing Analyst
SEO Specialist
Social Media Coordinator
Marketing Database Analyst
M&S
28 X Marketing & Sales
Position
Development
Business Development Manager
Territory Manager
Senior Account Manager
Account Manager
Sales Representative
Inside Sales Representative
Low
65,000
50,000
50,000
35,000
40,000
36,000
High
125,000
95,000
80,000
55,000
75,000
75,000
Low
90,000
85,000
80,000
75,000
70,000
High
165,000
150,000
135,000
135,000
100,000
Position
Management
Vice President of Sales
Regional Sales Manager
District Sales Manager
Sales Director
Sales Manager
M&S
29 X Marketing & Sales
Palmer Group is a leading employment firm
If you're in need of a key new employee or are
specializing in job placement, staffing solutions
searching for a new employment opportunity,
and recruiting. Founded by Austin Palmer in 1998,
contact Palmer Group for assistance.
Palmer Group works with employers and job seekers
throughout central Iowa to connect the best
companies with the most talented candidates.
If you would like additional information or have
specfic questions we can answer, please feel free to
contact us at 515-225-7000 or send your question to
From searching for qualified CEOs to supplying skilled
palmergroup@thepalmergroup.com. To direct your
temporary employees, Palmer Group provides the
question to a specific Palmer Group representative,
professionals and resources to help businesses and
please click here for a full list of our team.
candidates both succeed.
3737 Woodland Avenue X Suite 200 X West Des Moines, Iowa 50266