Fast-Growing, Well Paying Career Fields in Greater Des Moines

What’s on your job search checklist? Probably something you’re interested in, suits your skills and background and at a company that aligns with your values and is a good culture fit. Greater Des Moines (DSM) can tick all those boxes — and more. We rounded up a list of hot occupations that are growing and have a higher-than-average salary.

Curious about DSM? Get on our list and get the scoop on all things DSM.

Which Jobs are Fast-Growing and Well-Paying in Greater Des Moines?

In DSM, these occupations make the grade:

Finance and Insurance

Actuaries
Financial Managers
Financial Examiners
Financial Risk Specialists
Insurance Sales Agents

Technology and Data

Data Scientists
Information Security Analysts
Web and Digital Interface Designers

Engineering and Industrial

Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Mechanical Engineers

Healthcare

Chiropractors
Medical and Health Services Managers
Medical Equipment Repairers
Physical Therapist Assistants

Occupations in Other Sectors

Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling
Management Analysts
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
Social and Community Service Managers
Veterinarians

What makes these occupations fast-growing and well-paying? A 1-year forecast growth greater or equal to 1.1% (While that sounds small, keep in mind that job growth doesn’t happen in leaps and bounds. For comparison, the overall job growth in the U.S. was 1.3% over the last 10 years, says the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.) Well-paying is defined by a mean annual wage over $55,000. (Data source: JobsEQ.)

And your dollar goes further in DSM: cost of living here is 13% lower than the national average. The median home sale price in DSM was $289,900 in October 2024, while the national median for the month was $437,300.

And what do you get for your money? Check out these unique housing opportunities in DSM.

Where Can I Find a Job in One of These Fields in DSM?

More good news: these occupations have job openings in DSM and have a higher concentration of these job types than the U.S.

How should you start your job search? Check out the Greater Des Moines Career Center, which has jobs currently hiring across the region. You can also research major employers and identify ones that would be a good fit for you.

Read up on each of the industries and learn more about working in DSM:

How Can I Grow Into a One of These Occupations or Gain New Skills?

Maybe these jobs aren’t in your wheelhouse, but they sound interesting? You’re in luck: DSM has plenty of career development programs and opportunities to upskill, obtain credentials and advance your education.

But Will I Like Working in Des Moines?

How would you like to work in a place with an average commute time of 21 minutes? Or alongside co-workers who are satisfied with their jobs? According to a 2023 study of workers in DSM, overall workforce satisfaction sits at 80%, a figure that beats out the rest of the county. Data published by Zippia in 2023 indicates only 65% of workers like their jobs. And Gallup’s 2022 State of the Global Workplace Report indicates that in the US and Canada only 33% of workers are engaged at their job. (So yes, people really do love working in DSM.)

Do Something Greater.