Des Moines runs on a steady mix of retail, healthcare and logistics jobs that rely heavily on part-time workers to keep operations in the Midwest capital moving. This combination creates a steady base of hourly work, with more chances for workers to find predictable shifts close to home. Most entry-level roles in Des Moines start between $16 and $22 per hour, based on current job listings and aggregate data sites. For students, parents and people looking to make a career pivot, part-time work can be a practical way to earn steady income while still getting access to benefits and tuition support on the way to a full-time role.
Below are some of the most influential employers in the area that consistently recruit Des Moines locals for hourly work.
Top Companies Hiring Part-Time Jobs in Des Moines, Iowa
- Hy-Vee
- UnityPoint Health
- Principal Financial Group
- MercyOne
- Casey’s General Stores
Top Companies Hiring Part-Time Jobs in Des Moines, Iowa
Headquarters: West Des Moines, Iowa
Founded: 1993
Company size: 30k+ employees
Industry: Healthcare
Part-time roles: Nursing support, patient-facing coordinator, PRN staff, housekeeping
UnityPoint Health is the state’s largest nondenominational health system. It employs thousands of staff across its Des Moines Methodist, Lutheran and Blank Children’s campuses for part-time, evening and weekend roles across its 32 hospitals and 280 clinics. Benefits eligibility begins at as few as 32 hours per pay period. The company relies heavily on an as-needed PRN workforce to manage 24/7 patient volume, which is great for those who want healthcare experience without committing to a full-time schedule.
Headquarters: Bentonville, Arkansas
Founded: 1962
Company size: 2m+ employees
Industry: Retail
Part-time roles: Checkout associate, stocking team, club associate, cart attendant
With nearly a dozen supercenters and clubs across the metro, Walmart is a reliable source of hourly hiring in Central Iowa. For students, its Live Better U (LBU) program is a major differentiator from other employment options, which covers 100 percent of tuition and books for part-time associates starting on their first day of work. This educational benefit, paired with DailyPay accessibility, a 10 percent discount and a 401(k) with a six percent match keeps Walmart at the top for those looking to work on a partial schedule.
Headquarters: Des Moines, Iowa
Founded: 1879
Company size: 20k+ employees
Industry: Financial Services
Part-time roles: Customer care specialist, sales support, operations assistant
Principal is a global Fortune 500 company and a primary driver of Des Moines’ status as an international insurance hub. While the company is largely dominated by full-time corporate staff, it maintains a critical layer of part-time customer care specialists who are in charge of handling a high flow of client requests. These roles often act as a strategic entry point into the financial sector.
Headquarters: Des Moines, Iowa
Founded: 1907
Company size: 5k+ employees
Industry: Education
Part-time roles: Teacher associate, bus driver, program aide, coach
Des Moines Public Schools is the state’s largest provider of public education. It manages a $600 million budget and offers public-sector employment across 60 facilities. They frequently hire part-time positions like teacher associates and bus drivers, which offer schedules that align with school hours along with access to the Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS). These roles are ideal for community-minded applicants who want seasonal summers off and a stable, pension-eligible employment path.
Headquarters: West Des Moines, Iowa
Founded: 1930
Company size: 75k+ employees
Industry: Grocery Retail
Part-time roles: Checker, pharmacy clerk, frozen clerk, delivery driver
Hy-Vee is Des Moines’ largest employer, and one of the largest privately owned companies in the country. Across its 240-plus regional stores, part-time roles often include cashier, stocker, pharmacy clerk and delivery driver, making it one of the metro’s most reliable sources of hourly retail work. Eligible employees can also access a 10 percent grocery discount, high-deductible health plan options and a 401(k) with company match.
Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia
Founded: 1907
Company size: 450k+ employees
Industry: Logistics
Part-time roles: Package handler, driver helper, warehouse worker
UPS delivers 20 million packages every day, with its massive sortation facility in Des Moines serving as the central node for Central Iowa’s shipping traffic. Part-time package handlers typically work short, intense 3.5 to 5-hour shifts and receive access to the Earn and Learn program, which provides up to $5,250 in annual tuition assistance. The role is physically demanding but remains a top choice for those who want a high hourly rate, weekends off and comprehensive healthcare benefits after a brief probation period.
Headquarters: Monrovia, California
Founded: 1967
Company size: 25k-50k employees
Industry: Grocery Retail
Part-time roles: Cashier, stockroom clerk, customer service representative, shift supervisor
Trader Joe’s regularly hires part-time retail staff in the Des Moines area. Most openings are for “crew members” — a mix of cashiering, stocking and customer service — so the work stays varied throughout each shift. Employees get a 20 percent store discount and can qualify for a 401(k) with company contributions after meeting certain service requirements. This is a solid option for those looking to work predictable store hours in an environment that encourages upward mobility, with nearly 80 percent of supervisors starting at the entry level.
Headquarters: Des Moines, Iowa
Founded: 1998
Company size: 20k+ employees
Industry: Healthcare
Part-time roles: Patient care technician, clinical assistant, pharmacy technician trainee, registrar
MercyOne treats four million patients a year across a 230-clinic network. It builds its workforce from within, using an internal on-the-job training program that prepares patient care and pharmacy technicians with no prior clinical experience for permanent roles — paying about $16 an hour to start. Part-time employees also benefit from tuition reimbursement and pharmacy tech training programs that cover all certification costs, which is great for career-shifters partial to the medical field.
Headquarters: Ankeny, Iowa
Founded: 1968
Company size: 40k - 50k employees
Industry: Retail, Food Service
Part-time roles: Kitchen prep, store team member, delivery driver
Casey’s is the fifth-largest pizza chain in the country. Its corporate engine is right outside Des Moines, supporting more than 2,900 locations across the Midwest. Part-time kitchen and store roles offer specialized financial flexibility through DailyPay and a competitive six percent 401(k) company match. Its scale in the metro area makes it a practical option for logistics and food service workers who want steadier schedules and shorter commutes.
Headquarters: Moline, Illinois
Founded: 1837
Company size: 70k - 80k employees
Industry: Manufacturing, Agriculture
Part-time roles: Warehouse support, student intern, data engineering student
John Deere operates major manufacturing and intelligent-solutions hubs in nearby Ankeny and Johnston. Its part-time roles give registered students and recent graduates hands-on experience in engineering, data and analytics that pay significantly above retail rates, often ranging from $15 to $40 per hour depending on academic standing. Many of these jobs are built as early pathways into full-time engineering and logistics careers.
