Special Agent Salary in Des Moines, IA

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How much does a Special Agent make in Des Moines, IA?

As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Special Agent in Des Moines, IA is $94,518. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $81,503 to $115,452, with most professionals earning between $69,654 and $134,511.

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Salary range for an Special Agent
$81,503 to $115,452
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What is a Special Agent?

A Special Agent, in the United States, is usually a criminal investigator or detective for a federal or state (and to a lesser degree county) government, who primarily serves in investigatory positions. Additionally, many federal and state "Special Agents" operate in "criminal intelligence" based roles as well. Within the US federal law enforcement system, dozens of federal agencies employ federal law enforcement officers, each with different criteria pertaining to the use of the titles Special Agent and Agent. In federal/military intelligence usage, "agent" also refers to a human source or h...

Source: Wikipedia (as of 09/06/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

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Special Agent Salary By Experience Levels in Des Moines, IA

How much should you be earning in Special Agent in Des Moines, IA based on your current experience?
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RELEVANT JOB EXPERIENCE

Length of experience is a pay differentiator. Those with greater experience may have an advantage in negotiating salary. For those with less experience, other factors such as education or special skills could impact your pay. Please visit Professional Salary Report for more details.

Special Agent Salary By Level of Education in Des Moines, IA

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LEVEL OF EDUCATION

Depending on the job, educational levels may have a significant impact on pay levels. Be informed and understand how things like education and certifications can help to increase potential earnings for the career you are interested in. Please visit Professional Salary Report for more details.

Average Salary Range for Special Agent in Des Moines, IA

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
81503
115452
94518

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
84580
123645
99448
What is the average salary for Special Agent in 2025?
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Special Agent in Des Moines, IA. The base salary for Special Agent ranges from $81,503 to $115,452 with the average base salary of $94,518. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $84,580 to $123,645 with the average total cash compensation of $99,448.

View Average Salary for Special Agent as table

Average Salary Average Salary Range
Base Salary $94,518 $81,503 - $115,452
Bonus $4,929 $3,076 - $8,194
Total Pay $99,448 $84,580 - $123,645
* Base Salary represents gross income before taxes and deductions. It does not include additional pay such as benefits, bonuses, profit sharing or commissions.
* Total Pay combines base salary, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job.

Special Agent Salary Near Des Moines, IA

CITY, STATE AVERAGE SALARY RANGE COMPARE TO Des Moines, IA
CITY, STATE Ankeny, IA AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $81,503 - $115,452 COMPARE TO Des Moines, IA 0%
CITY, STATE Urbandale, IA AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $81,503 - $115,452 COMPARE TO Des Moines, IA 0%
CITY, STATE Ames, IA AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $80,755 - $114,392 COMPARE TO Des Moines, IA
CITY, STATE Cedar Falls, IA AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $77,415 - $109,660 COMPARE TO Des Moines, IA
CITY, STATE Waterloo, IA AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $77,664 - $110,014 COMPARE TO Des Moines, IA
CITY, STATE Cedar Rapids, IA AVERAGE SALARY RANGE $79,509 - $112,627 COMPARE TO Des Moines, IA
See salaries for Special Agent in locations close to Des Moines, IA. Pay for the same job may vary based on the location and on the location and on other factors such as the size of company, the industry, and other local conditions.

View Salary for Similar Jobs to Special Agent in Des Moines, IA

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JOB TITLE LOCATION MINIMUM SALARY MAXIMUM SALARY
JOB TITLE NCIS Special Agent LOCATION Des Moines, IA MINIMUM SALARY $44,468 MAXIMUM SALARY $59,304
JOB TITLE Special Agent In Charge LOCATION Des Moines, IA MINIMUM SALARY $72,779 MAXIMUM SALARY $90,612
JOB TITLE Supervisory Special Agent LOCATION Des Moines, IA MINIMUM SALARY $142,513 MAXIMUM SALARY $172,430
JOB TITLE Assistant Special Agent In Charge LOCATION Des Moines, IA MINIMUM SALARY $63,080 MAXIMUM SALARY $91,468
JOB TITLE Diplomatic Security Special Agent LOCATION Des Moines, IA MINIMUM SALARY $44,947 MAXIMUM SALARY $54,793
JOB TITLE Land Support Agent Supervisor LOCATION Des Moines, IA MINIMUM SALARY $79,432 MAXIMUM SALARY $110,556
The Special Agent job could be listed using titles that are not exactly the same, but actually are for the same or very similar job. Here are some job titles in Des Moines, IA that might be a good fit for the type of job and salary you are looking for.

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81503
115452

 

About Des Moines, Iowa    Des Moines (/dɪˈmɔɪn/ (listen)) is the capital and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A smal....More

Des Moines, Iowa  area prices were up 0.8% from a year ago

Special Agent Salary in popular cities: Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City

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