Character Counts! Salary

As of August 2026, the average hourly salary for employees at Character Counts! in the United States is $44. This translates to an approximate annual wage of $91,778. Salaries at Character Counts! typically range from $39 to $51 hourly, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.

How Much Does Character Counts! Pay for Different Roles?

Explore detailed salary information for specific jobs at Character Counts!. Based on our data, the highest paying job is the Director, Development, with an hourly wage of $49. The table below outlines the hourly wage ranges for most popular roles within the company.
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Current Job Openings at Character Counts!

Ready for your next career move? Explore current job openings at Character Counts!. Use the search tool below to find available positions by title and location and apply directly to start your career.

Is Character Counts!’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Character Counts!'s compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.
Competitor / Benchmark Avg. Salary Variance Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
Delta Epsilon - Oglethorpe University $44
-1.0%
Aligns perfectly with prevailing regional benchmarks for this specific job family.
Redlands Christian Schools $49
+11.2%
Adjusted for higher cost-of-living indices in Redlands Christian Schools's primary metro hubs.
Weatherhead East Asian Institute $50
+12.2%
Supported by Weatherhead East Asian Institute's high-margin contracts allowing higher overhead.
OHSU-PSU School of Public Health $47
+7.4%
Influenced by prevailing union wage agreements specific to OHSU-PSU School of Public Health's sector.
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit Industry $56
+25.7%
Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.
Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

Employee Reviews: Working at Character Counts!

Considering a career at Character Counts!? Explore authentic employee reviews to learn about the work environment, career growth opportunities, pay transparency and benefits. These first-hand insights can help you set realistic compensation expectations and make informed career decisions.
Benefits like healthcare and retirement plans are excellent. This organization shows strong leadership, effective systems, and a passion for service. Interactions have been mostly smooth with occasional delays. Always polite, prepared, and proactive with solutions. Team dynamics are polite, though not especially collaborative.
The mission is important, but some policies feel unnecessarily complex or outdated. Meaningful projects improve community services and education outcomes. Very easy to work with at every level. Stability, purpose, and support define this job. It’s clear they value accountability, communication, and long-term results. Professional growth depends on tenure. Engaging for employees of all tech levels....
Still, the culture remains respectful and inclusive. I appreciate the regular hours and generous paid leave policies. With staff members, you might expect to feel like just a number, but here I feel recognized and appreciated. Training is useful and it is personalized.
I’ve had several opportunities to take on new projects and develop professionally. Flexible work policies help maintain a healthy work-life balance. Leadership shows real integrity.

Character Counts! Overview

Website
www.charactercounts.org
Founded In
1992
Employees
200 - 500 employees
Industry
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
Headquarter Address
2702 Forest Ave Des Moines Iowa IA 50311
Revenue
$10 Million - $50 Million
Phone Number
+1 5152714840
Social Media
About Character Counts!
Since 1995, United Way of Martin County's CHARACTER COUNTS! program has been focused on building a community of good character. Although highly identified with schools, CHARACTER COUNTS! is an initiative for people of all ages and walks of life and is embraced by government, law enforcement and businesses in Martin County. CHARACTER COUNTS! encourages everyone to uphold the Six Pillars of Characte

What Benefits Does Character Counts! Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. Character Counts! offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and overall well-being. Below are the most common key benefits:
Social Security
401(K)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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How Much Should You Be Earning?

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What Is the Cost of Living Near Des Moines?

Understanding the cost of living near Des Moines is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Character Counts!.
Des Moines' Cost of Living Index is approximately 80.8 (19.2% less expensive than US average; 10.1% less than IA average). State capital, affordable housing, growing. DART bus. When planning your budget based on a salary from Character Counts!, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $850 - $1,300+ A significant portion of Character Counts! salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $130 - $220 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $48 (DART monthly pass) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $370 - $550 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $330 - $600+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $350 - $650+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $2,078 - $3,328+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of Character Counts!

1. What is the typical salary range (low to high) for most roles at Character Counts!?

The typical salary range for most roles at Character Counts! is approximately from $39 to $51 per hour. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills, and location.

2. How much does Character Counts! pay compared to Delta Epsilon - Oglethorpe University?

The average annual salary at Character Counts! is $91,778, or an hourly wage of $44, in comparison to Delta Epsilon - Oglethorpe University which pays $90,850 per year or $44 per hour.

3. Do salaries differ significantly between departments at Character Counts!?

Yes, salaries often differ between departments at Character Counts! due to varying market demand for specific skill sets and the nature of the roles. For example, technical roles in Engineering or IT may command different salary ranges compared to roles in Marketing or Human Resources.

4. How does experience level affect salary at Character Counts!?

Experience level is a significant factor in determining salary at Character Counts!, as it is with most employers. Generally, employees with more years of relevant experience and a proven track record can command higher salaries. For example, a senior-level role will typically have a higher pay band than an entry-level or mid-career position within the same job family.

5. How can I determine if a salary offer from Character Counts! in Des Moines is fair given the local cost of living?

To determine if a salary offer from Character Counts! in Des Moines is fair, first compare the gross salary to our data for similar roles at Character Counts! and its competitors (see our similar company salaries section) . Then, critically, use our "Cost of Living Insights for Des Moines" to understand its purchasing power.

6. What are the key factors that influence salary levels at Character Counts!?

Several key factors influence salary levels at Character Counts!. These primarily include: 1. Job Role & Responsibilities: More complex roles with greater impact typically command higher pay. 2. Experience & Skills: Your years of relevant experience and specific in-demand skills are critical. 3. Performance: Strong performance can lead to higher raises and bonuses. 4. Location: Office location impacts pay due to varying local market rates and cost of living. 5. Industry Benchmarks: Character Counts! likely benchmarks its salaries against other companies in the Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sector. You can explore how these factors play out in our detailed salary data.