US
Des Moines, IA
Iowa salary market
$61.4K
Avg / Year
+25% vs U.S.
vs National
40
Employment
$5.1K
Monthly Avg
Updated for 2026

Gem and Diamond Worker Salary in Des Moines, IA (2026)

The Gem and Diamond Worker salary in Des Moines, IA for 2026 is presented as a modeled salary benchmark built from the latest official BLS wage baseline, then extended with wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available. This guide compares the Des Moines, IA market with the U.S. baseline and breaks projected pay down by experience, skills, industry, and nearby markets.

Official BLS baseline: 2024Des Moines, IA city pageModeled salary guide10 min read
City Average
$61.4K
per year
Entry Level
$34.6K
starting range
Senior Level
$63.0K
upper local band
Remote / Hybrid
$62.7K
modeled local premium
Monthly
$5.1K
avg before tax
Hourly Rate
$28
median equivalent
Salary figures projected to 2026  from May 2024BLS OEWS baseline  ·  Projections use wage history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available
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Gem and Diamond Worker Salary Overview in Des Moines, IA

Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Gem and Diamond Worker pay in Des Moines, IA at about $61,427.0 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $32,850.0, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about $80,440.0.

Salary estimates are based on data from the Des Moines-West Des Moines, Ia metropolitan area, which includes nearby cities such as West Des Moines.

If you’re comparing Gem and Diamond Worker salaries in Des Moines, IA, the real story isn’t just the headline number. Local employer mix, seniority, specialization, and whether the role is remote, hybrid, or onsite can push compensation well above or below the local median.

Des Moines, IA vs. U.S. National Average

Des Moines, IA pays +25% vs u.s. for Gem and Diamond Worker roles. The difference is driven by local employer demand, industry mix, cost pressures, and how concentrated this role is in the underlying metro labor market.

United States National Average
$49.1K
all U.S. markets combined
+25%
Des Moines, IA Premium
Des Moines, IA City Average
$61.4K
Gem and Diamond Worker
MarketProjected Salaryvs Des Moines, IAMarket Maturity
Des Moines, IA (this guide)$61,427.0BaselineLocal market
United States$49,140.0-20% vs U.S.National baseline
Why Des Moines, IA pay differsThe strongest city salary premiums usually appear where employers compete for specialized talent, where the role is concentrated, and where local costs make compensation harder to hold down.

Gem and Diamond Worker Salary by Experience Level in Des Moines, IA

Experience changes the local salary picture quickly because employers usually pay for independence, specialization, and broader scope, not just years on paper. In Des Moines, IA, this breakdown shows how aGem and Diamond Worker can move from early-career pay into stronger bands as the role becomes more self-directed.

Entry-Level
0-2 years
$46.9K
$30/hr median equivalent
$34.6K - $61.4K
Mid-Level
3-5 years
$61.4K
$30/hr median equivalent
$46.9K - $63.0K
Senior
6-10 years
$63.0K
$30/hr median equivalent
$61.4K - $84.8K
Lead / Principal
10+ years
$84.8K
$30/hr median equivalent
$63.0K - $104K
LevelExperienceProjected SalaryProjected RangeMarket Signal
Entry-Level Gem and Diamond Worker0-2 years$46,882.0$34,648.0 - $61,427.0-5% vs U.S.
Mid-Level Gem and Diamond Worker3-5 years$61,427.0$46,882.0 - $63,020.0+25% vs U.S.
Senior Gem and Diamond Worker6-10 years$63,020.0$61,427.0 - $84,842.0+28% vs U.S.
Lead / Principal Gem and Diamond Worker10+ years$84,842.0$63,020.0 - $103,507+73% vs U.S.

Gem and Diamond Worker Salary by Industry in Des Moines, IA

Industry premiums in Des Moines, IA usually come from employers that place the Gem and Diamond Worker role close to revenue, infrastructure, compliance, product delivery, or other high-value work. National industry data gives the best available benchmark until local industry slices are available.

IndustryModeled SalaryReference RangeSignal
Management of Companies and Enterprises$70,410.0$41,410.0 - $131,730Stronger salary
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services$62,640.0$38,010.0 - $81,760.0Stronger salary
Wholesale Trade$58,120.0$37,190.0 - $97,280.0Stronger salary
Health Care and Social Assistance$55,370.0$31,840.0 - $80,210.0Competitive
Finance and Insurance$50,870.0$28,260.0 - $66,650.0Competitive
Retail Trade$50,340.0$34,280.0 - $81,330.0Competitive
Other Services Except Public Administration$48,250.0$31,500.0 - $75,150.0Competitive
Manufacturing$46,180.0$31,470.0 - $76,330.0Competitive

Entry-Level Gem and Diamond Worker Salary in Des Moines, IA

Entry-level Gem and Diamond Worker jobs in Des Moines, IA are modeled around the lower local wage percentiles. Candidates who can show practical projects, job-ready tools, and strong fundamentals usually have a better path into the middle of the local salary range.

For a broader starting-pay benchmark beyond this city market, see the entry-level Gem and Diamond Worker salary guide.

Entry estimateA reasonable entry-level salary benchmark for Gem and Diamond Worker roles in Des Moines, IA is about $46,882.0.
Preparation pathJob Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Typical education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Training signal: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Remote vs Onsite Gem and Diamond Worker Pay in Des Moines, IA

Remote work can widen the employer pool for Gem and Diamond Worker candidates in Des Moines, IA. Onsite and hybrid roles may still pay more when employers need local availability, local clients, regulated work, or team coverage.

Local Onsite Role
$61,427.0
avg local employer
Hybrid Role
$62,655.5
modeled local premium
+2% local avg
Work TypeEstimated SalaryExperienceBest FitFlexibility
Remote$60,198.5Market dependentNational hiring poolsHigh
Hybrid$62,655.5Metro dependentDes Moines, IA employersMedium
Onsite$61,427.0Location dependentLocal teams and operationsLower

Cost of Living vs Salary in Des Moines, IA

A salary in Des Moines, IA should be read alongside housing, commuting, tax, and everyday costs. The same annual pay can feel very different at entry, mid-level, and senior levels.

Monthly Expense
Entry
Mid
Senior
Housing / rent
$819.0
$1.1K
$1.4K
Transport / commute
$179.2
$204.8
$230.4
Food and groceries
$383.9
$409.5
$460.7
Utilities and internet
$179.2
$204.8
$230.4
Estimated remainder
$1.7K
$2.7K
$3.3K
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Top Employers Hiring Gem and Diamond Workers in Des Moines, IA

Employer mix is one of the biggest city-level salary drivers. The industries below highlight where Gem and Diamond Worker pay tends to be strongest in Des Moines, IA, based on the sectors that create the most hiring demand for this role.

1
Management of Companies and Enterprises employers
$70.4K
Industry benchmark for Gem and Diamond Worker roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
2
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employers
$62.6K
Industry benchmark for Gem and Diamond Worker roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
3
Wholesale Trade employers
$58.1K
Industry benchmark for Gem and Diamond Worker roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
4
Health Care and Social Assistance employers
$55.4K
Industry benchmark for Gem and Diamond Worker roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
5
Finance and Insurance employers
$50.9K
Industry benchmark for Gem and Diamond Worker roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
6
Retail Trade employers
$50.3K
Industry benchmark for Gem and Diamond Worker roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.

Career Growth Opportunities in Des Moines, IA

Local career growth is strongest when it is read through both the city salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The city salary benchmark shows what this market currently pays, while the career path and BLS demand data show how that benchmark can expand with scope and responsibility.

1
Intern / Trainee
$28.5K - $38.3K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
2
Junior
$35.4K - $46.7K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
3
Mid Level
$44.2K - $55.0K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
4
Senior
$53.1K - $68.8K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
5
Lead
$62.9K - $79.6K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
6
Principal / Architect
$73.7K - $101K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
BLS Demand SignalEmployment is projected to change by -5.5% from 2024 to 2034.
DecliningAnnual openings: 4 thousand.
Metric2026 Outlook
Projected employment35.1k → 33.2k
Typical educationMost occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related experiencePrevious work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Local market anchor40 jobs with a median of $61,427.0

Factors Affecting Gem and Diamond Worker Salary in Des Moines, IA

Local pay rarely moves for one reason alone. In city markets, the biggest differences usually come from employer concentration, industry mix, seniority, and whether the role is tied to business-critical work that is harder to staff.

Years of Experience
Salary usually rises as the role moves from entry-level execution to independent ownership, mentoring, and broader decision-making.
Location and Cost of Living
Local salary ranges vary by labor market, employer density, and household-income context.
Industry
Industry pay can vary when employers in higher-margin or harder-to-staff sectors compete for the same occupation.
Specialized Skills
O*NET marks high-demand role-specific skills as relevant skills for this role, making them useful anchors for specialization and salary-growth content.

How to Increase Your Gem and Diamond Worker Salary in Des Moines, IA

In city markets, salary growth often comes from better positioning as much as from patience. These moves are most useful when you already understand the local benchmark and want a clearer path beyond it.

1
Benchmark against stronger markets
Compare national, metro, and industry salary facts before negotiating so your target range is grounded in current wage data.
1-3 months timeline
2
Build a visible specialization
Prioritize skills such as high-demand role-specific skills; O*NET relevance scores make these good first candidates for portfolio and resume positioning.
3-9 months timeline
3
Target higher-paying industries
Use industry salary facts to identify sectors that already pay above the occupation baseline.
2-6 months timeline
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Gem and Diamond Worker Salary in Des Moines, IA: FAQs

These questions usually come up after readers compare the city benchmark, the statewide picture, and the local experience ladder. They help clarify how to read the market and what matters most when you compare this city with other options.

These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "Gem and Diamond Worker" usually compare local pay, employer mix, and market differences in this city.

What is the average Gem & Diamond Workers salary?
The latest national baseline for Gem & Diamond Workers is about $49,100 per year, based on the current BLS-derived salary facts in CareerClev.
What is the entry-level Gem & Diamond Workers salary?
Entry-level estimates for Gem & Diamond Workers are modeled around the lower BLS percentile range, currently about $33,900 per year nationally.
How much can senior Gem & Diamond Workers professionals earn?
Senior Gem & Diamond Workers estimates are modeled from upper percentile wage bands and currently sit around $63,200 per year nationally.
Does location affect Gem & Diamond Workers salary?
Yes. CareerClev stores salary facts by national, state, and metro locations, so location-specific pages should use the closest available geography instead of a single national number.
Which skills matter for Gem & Diamond Workers salary growth?
CareerClev uses O*NET skill importance and level scores to identify role-relevant skills. These are useful for recommendations, but should not be presented as measured salary premiums unless enriched compensation data exists.
Data
Data Sources & MethodologyUpdated using 2024 BLS OEWS salary facts, O*NET occupation-skill data, Census location context where available, ILOSTAT country benchmarks where mapped, BLS Employment Projections where imported, and Stack Overflow Developer Survey enrichment for mapped tech roles.
Salary figures use BLS OEWS wage facts for 2024. City pages use the BLS metropolitan area as the salary dataset, display the largest city as the public page name, and model experience bands from local wage percentiles.
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