Greater Des Moines, Iowa, is home to major employers across manufacturing, agriculture, technology, insurance, financial services, logistics and healthcare. The region offers career pathways for professionals with different skills, from engineering and information technology to accounting, management, customer service and healthcare.
A guide published by Greater Des Moines USA highlights companies operating across these industries and provides links to employer websites where job seekers can explore career opportunities. The list is a regional employer guide, not a ranking of the companies by salary or number of jobs.
Which Industries Offer Career Opportunities in Greater Des Moines?
The Greater Des Moines region has a diverse employment base. Here are the major industries and some of the companies highlighted by the official regional career resource.
1. Manufacturing Companies
Manufacturing is an important part of the regional economy, with employers involved in automotive accessories, industrial equipment, food processing and building products.
Companies highlighted in this sector include:
- Dee Zee, Inc. — Manufactures aftermarket automotive accessories.
- Emerson’s Fisher Division — Specializes in control valves and related systems.
- JBS USA — Operates in meat processing and food production.
- Pella Corporation — Manufactures windows, doors and skylights.
Potential career areas include production, quality assurance, industrial maintenance, engineering, supply chain management and operations. Available positions and qualifications vary by employer.
2. Agriculture and Ag Technology
Iowa’s agricultural economy supports opportunities in farming-related technology, machinery, biotechnology and agricultural services. The Greater Des Moines region also has companies working at the intersection of agriculture and innovation.
Major employers include:
- Corteva Agriscience — An agricultural science company.
- John Deere — Offers products and services related to agricultural machinery, precision technology and financial services.
- Vermeer Corporation — Manufactures equipment for agriculture, construction and mining.
- Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations — Includes agricultural tire operations.
Job seekers may explore careers in engineering, equipment manufacturing, research, agricultural technology, software, sales and technical support.
3. Technology and Data Infrastructure
Greater Des Moines also has a presence in digital infrastructure, data centers, telecommunications and software-related businesses.
Companies identified in the regional guide include:
- Apple — Consumer technology, hardware and software.
- Meta — Social media and related technology.
- Microsoft — Cloud services, software, computing and gaming.
- LightEdge Solutions — Cloud hosting and colocation services.
- ESO — Software products for emergency medical services organizations.
- Lumen — Telecommunications and internet services.
These companies operate across different technology fields. Depending on current vacancies, relevant career paths may include software development, IT support, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, data operations, technical sales and project management.
Candidates should review each employer’s official careers website to confirm which positions are available in the Des Moines area.
4. Insurance and Financial Services
Insurance and financial services are among the region’s established industries. Greater Des Moines has a substantial presence of insurers, financial companies and professional services firms.
Employers listed in the regional guide include:
- American Equity
- Athene
- EMC Insurance
- Farm Bureau Financial Services
- Holmes Murphy & Associates
- GuideOne Insurance
- Mercer, a Marsh business
- Nationwide
- Principal Financial Group
- Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa
- Wells Fargo
These organizations cover areas such as insurance, retirement planning, employee benefits, investment management, banking and consulting.
Potential roles include financial analysis, accounting, underwriting, claims processing, actuarial work, customer service, risk management, human resources and business administration.
Some positions require specialized education, professional qualifications or previous industry experience, while others may have different entry requirements.
5. Logistics, Warehousing and Distribution
Greater Des Moines is situated near the intersection of major interstate highways I-80 and I-35, making the region relevant to transportation, warehousing and distribution operations.
Companies identified in this sector include:
- Amazon — Distribution and fulfillment operations.
- Casey’s General Stores — Convenience retail, prepared food and related operations.
- UPS — Transportation, logistics, freight and distribution services.
Depending on the employer and location, candidates may find opportunities in warehouse operations, transportation, inventory management, delivery, supply chain planning, customer support and logistics coordination.
Applicants should check individual listings for work schedules, physical requirements, driving qualifications and experience requirements.
6. Healthcare and Other Major Employers
The region also has employers outside the main industry groups, providing additional career options.
Examples include:
- MercyOne — Healthcare services, including hospitals and home care.
- UnityPoint Health — Healthcare and hospital services.
- MidAmerican Energy Company — Energy services.
- Bankers Trust — Banking, lending and wealth management.
- Hy-Vee — Grocery retail and related operations.
- City of Des Moines — Municipal government employment.
- Polk County — County government positions.
- People Inc. — Media and publishing.
- Ruan — Transportation and supply chain management.
Depending on the organization, potential career fields include clinical care, administration, energy operations, retail, public service, media, finance and transportation.
How to Find Jobs at These Companies
Being listed as a major regional employer does not mean that a company currently has an open position for every occupation. Job seekers should verify vacancies directly before applying.
Here are practical steps to follow:
- Choose an industry: Identify whether your experience fits technology, manufacturing, finance, healthcare, logistics or another field.
- Visit the employer’s official website: Use its careers section to find openings and application instructions.
- Check the job location: Confirm whether the position is in Greater Des Moines, another part of Iowa or a different state.
- Review the requirements: Check education, experience, certifications, work authorization and other eligibility conditions.
- Submit an application: Follow the employer’s official process and provide the requested documents.
Candidates can also use the Greater DSM USA Career Center to search job listings from employers across the region.
Official job search: https://www.greaterdsmusa.com/grow-your-career/job-openings
Regional employer directory: https://www.greaterdsmusa.com/grow-your-career/top-employers
The Career Center explains that its listings come from employers and a third-party job-posting aggregator. The regional organization is not necessarily the hiring employer, so applicants should check the details of each listing.
Are There Opportunities for Small Businesses?
Career options in Greater Des Moines are not limited to large corporations. The regional guide also points to a directory of approximately 7,200 Regional Chamber member businesses across the wider multi-county area.
Smaller companies may provide opportunities in administration, marketing, sales, customer service, technology, skilled trades and specialized professional services. Their hiring needs and application processes can differ from those of larger employers.
People interested in entrepreneurship or business development can also research the local business community to identify organizations operating in their chosen field.
What Should Job Seekers Know Before Applying?
Before pursuing an opportunity, applicants should consider the following:
- Location: Not every employer listed has every position based in Des Moines.
- Qualifications: Requirements differ by role, industry and seniority.
- Current vacancies: A company’s inclusion in a regional guide does not confirm that it is hiring today.
- Compensation: Salary, benefits and working conditions should be checked in the individual job advertisement.
- Work authorization: Applicants should verify that they meet the legal and employer-specific requirements for the position.
International applicants should not assume that a listed employer offers visa sponsorship. Sponsorship availability must be confirmed for the specific role.
Final Thoughts
Greater Des Moines has a varied employer base spanning manufacturing, agricultural innovation, technology, insurance, financial services, logistics, healthcare and public-sector work. This diversity gives job seekers several industries to investigate when planning their next career move.
The most useful next step is to identify suitable employers, review their current vacancies and compare each position’s requirements with your experience and qualifications.
For additional employment updates, visit Chavaiz Jobs. Readers interested in technology and business developments can also explore Chavaiz Technology and Chavaiz Business.
Source: Greater Des Moines USA, Greater Des Moines Top Employers and Key Industries. The employer information is based on the regional guide; current vacancies and employment conditions should be verified with the relevant company.
