Iowa State Fair Salary

As of August 2026, the average hourly salary for employees at Iowa State Fair in the United States is $45. This translates to an approximate annual wage of $93,086. Salaries at Iowa State Fair typically range from $39 to $51 hourly, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.
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Current Job Openings at Iowa State Fair

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Is Iowa State Fair’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Iowa State Fair'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
Gymnopedie Ii Ltd $47
+4.6%
Reflects structural premiums typical of Gymnopedie Ii Ltd's large-cap national operations.
Sno-King Kirkland $51
+13.5%
Adjusted for higher cost-of-living indices in Sno-King Kirkland's primary metro hubs.
Bristol Bears $41
-8.5%
Bristol Bears operates with a leaner overhead structure, impacting base wage offers.
Sarasota Swim Kids LLC $44
-2.4%
Confirms Sarasota Swim Kids LLC is a direct competitor vying for the exact same talent pool.
Hospitality & Leisure Industry $59
+31.7%
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 Iowa State Fair

Considering a career at Iowa State Fair? 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.
This company truly invests in its employees. Training is adequate, though more specialized programs could be beneficial. Career growth is encouraged, and the work environment is positive. The leadership is strong, and the team is motivated. Good work-life balance.
Consistent workflow. The team is professional, and the work is structured. The company also emphasizes sustainability, which I appreciate. The team is collaborative, and management is approachable. For anyone passionate about hospitality, this is a great workplace. Overall, it’s a fair place to work with reasonable expectations. It’s a great place to grow. The hospitality sector can be unpredictab...
The work culture is positive, and management is approachable. The work environment is fast-paced but rewarding, with recognition for hard work. I highly recommend this workplace for anyone in the hospitality industry. This is a solid place to build a career. The leadership team is accessible, and career advancement opportunities are available for those who seek them.

Iowa State Fair Overview

Website
www.iowastatefair.org
Founded In
1854
Employees
50 - 100 employees
Industry
Hospitality & Leisure
Headquarter Address
3000 E Grand Ave Des Moines Iowa IA 50317
Revenue
$10 Million - $50 Million
Phone Number
+1 5152623111
Social Media
About Iowa State Fair
The Iowa State Fair is the single largest event in the state of Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. Annually attracting more than a million people from all over the world, the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines is Iowas great celebration, a salute to the states best in agriculture, industry, entertainment and achievement.

What Benefits Does Iowa State Fair Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. Iowa State Fair 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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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 Iowa State Fair.
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 Iowa State Fair, 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 Iowa State Fair 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 Iowa State Fair

1. How much does an Iowa State Fair employee make?

Iowa State Fair pays its employees an average of $45 per hour. The average salary at Iowa State Fair range 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. Which similar company tend to pay more or less than Iowa State Fair?

The salary at Iowa State Fair is lesser than the similar company. The average annual salary at Iowa State Fair is $93,086, or an hourly wage of $45, in comparison to Gymnopedie Ii Ltd which pays $97,400 per year or $47 per hour.

3. How much does a Pathologist typically earn at Iowa State Fair?

A Pathologist at Iowa State Fair typically earns an average hourly base salary of around $127, with a general range of $109 to $148.

4. Do employees with advanced degrees (Master's, PhD) earn more at Iowa State Fair?

In many roles at Iowa State Fair, particularly those requiring specialized knowledge or research capabilities (e.g., certain engineering, scientific, or financial roles), an advanced degree like a Master's or PhD can lead to a higher starting salary and faster career progression, thus higher earnings. However, for some roles, direct experience and skills might be valued as much or more than an advanced degree. The impact varies by field and specific job requirements.

5. How does the cost of living near Des Moines affect the perceived value of a Iowa State Fair salary?

Des Moines' Cost of Living Index is approximately 80.8 (19.2% less expensive than US average; 10.1% less than IA average). This significantly impacts the purchasing power of a salary from Iowa State Fair based there. Our "Cost of Living Insights for Des Moines" module details this impact, helping you assess the 'real feel' value of your compensation.

6. What kind of benefits does Iowa State Fair typically offer employees?

Iowa State Fair generally offers a range of employee benefits designed to support their workforce's health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), a 401(k) retirement savings plan (often with a company match), paid time off (PTO), and potentially disability and life insurance are included. For a more detailed list of benefits, please see our "Employee Benefits at Iowa State Fair" section on this page.