CFO.
Des Moines.
$224,000
median salary, 14% below the national average
$168,000 to $297,000. Last updated August 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a CFO offer in Des Moines, IA, here is the reality: $168,000 to $297,000, with $224,000 as the midpoint. 14% below the national average. Company size measured by revenue and market capitalization drives the widest pay variation among CFOs. Do not accept the first number. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page.
Salary range.
Where do you fall?
Orbyt estimate for CFO in Des Moines, modelled from national occupation wages adjusted for local cost of living. The published government benchmark for this occupation is below.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $290,870 for Chief Executives (SOC 11-1011) in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metropolitan area, based on 1,230 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$96,550
25th percentile
$167,990
Median
$290,870
75th percentile
$345,940
90th percentile
$390,260
Workers surveyed
1,230
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Chief Executives (SOC 11-1011) rather than CFO specifically. The Des Moinesrange at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 11-1011Salary by experience.
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $201,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$146,000
to $179,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$190,000
to $235,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$246,000
to $291,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$280,000
to $347,000
Total compensation.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $59,000 to the total package.
Base
$224,000
Equity
$34,000
Bonus
$21,000
Signing
$4,000
Estimated total: $283,000
How Des Moines compares.
Des Moines, IA
$224,000
Cost of living: 14% below average
National Average
$260,000
Des Moines is $36,000 below
CFO salary by city.
Salary by role in Des Moines.
What you should know.
Here is what the CFO market actually looks like in Des Moines. Des Moines is a major insurance and financial services hub, home to Principal Financial, EMC Insurance, and a growing fintech community. The metro's extremely low cost of living and strong job market make it one of the best value cities for finance professionals. Tech employment is growing as insurtech companies expand. Company size measured by revenue and market capitalization drives the widest pay variation among CFOs. Fortune 500 CFOs earn three to five times more than mid-market counterparts. Industry also matters, with technology, financial services, and pharmaceutical CFOs commanding the highest packages. IPO and M&A transaction experience adds further premium.
VP of Finance roles pay $180,000 to $260,000 in base salary. CFOs at small companies ($10 million to $50 million revenue) earn $175,000 to $250,000. Mid-market CFOs ($50 million to $500 million) earn $250,000 to $400,000. Enterprise CFOs at $1 billion or more revenue companies command $400,000 to $800,000 base. In Des Moines, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 14% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. CFO total compensation far exceeds base salary. Annual bonuses of 40 to 75% of base, equity grants worth $200,000 to $2 million or more at public companies, and long-term incentive plans are standard. Total compensation at large companies commonly reaches $800,000 to $5 million. And on the tax side: iowa has a flat 3.8% state income tax. Des Moines has no city income tax. The low tax rate and affordable housing create strong purchasing power. When someone quotes you $224,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Benchmark against national insurance industry pay scales. Des Moines insurance employers must compete with remote offers from larger metros and will often match. The range for CFOs in Des Moines runs from $168,000 to $297,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: BLS OES, H-1B LCA (DOL). COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified July 1, 2026. Full methodology
Common questions.
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