NAICS 52

Finance and Insurance in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Metro Market Score 60.0 (Challenging), ranked #246 of 331 metros. 2,166 establishments, 49,237 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 60.0
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Challenging

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national finance and insurance average.

🏭Industry Hub💰High-Cost Market📈Rapid Growth

Des Moines-West Des Moines is a specialized hub for finance and insurance, with a location quotient of 3.00 and industry concentration in the lower half. Higher-than-average firm density means more competition for talent and customers, but also a deeper local supply chain and client pool.

Industry Concentration
99.7
LQ: 3.00
Rank #330 of 331 metros
Wage Competitiveness
87.6
$120,794 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 84.0
Employment growth index
Rank #54 of 331 metros
Wage Pressure
41.6
YoY wage change index

2,166 Finance and Insurance Firms in Des Moines-West Des Moines

2,166
Establishments
+3.3% YoY
49,237
Total Employment
+2.6% YoY
$120,794
Average Annual Wage
+4.5% YoY
3.00
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Des Moines-West Des Moines vs Iowa Statewide

How this metro's finance and insurance market compares to Iowa overall. The state ranks #35/51 for entry risk.

Measure Des Moines-West Des Moines IA Statewide
Overall Score 60.0 Challenging 54.3 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #246 of 331 metros #35 of 51 states

Metro and state scores use different methodologies (metro has 4 QCEW-based metrics; state adds BDS survival and momentum data). Direct score comparisons are approximate.

Other Industries in Des Moines-West Des Moines

Accommodation and Food Services 33.8 Retail Trade 34.7 Information 51.6 Construction 52.9 Other Services 53.0 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 55.5

Finance and Insurance in Other Iowa Metros

Ames 24.0 #16/331 Sioux City 49.1 #164/331 Davenport-Moline-Rock Island 52.8 #195/331 Iowa City 59.2 #241/331 Dubuque 60.1 #247/331 Cedar Rapids 75.8 #319/331

About Metro Market Score: A weighted composite of industry concentration (25%), wage competitiveness (25%), wage pressure (20%), and employment growth trend (30%). Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions. For Des Moines-West Des Moines's finance and insurance sector, the industry concentration component (99.7) has the strongest pull on the composite. Metro scores use QCEW data only (no BDS survival data at metro level). Read full methodology →

Data Sources

Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.