Des Moines engineer salary
EstimateUpdated March 2025
What engineers earn in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro, with a full breakdown by role.
Typical pay
$114,366
Des Moines
Top earners
$166,456
Higher end
vs national
-5% vs national
U.S. $120,395
State
IA
Iowa
Engineers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro earn an estimated $114,366, -5% vs national, with top earners near $166,456. See the full breakdown by role below, or estimate your own total compensation — the number sharpens as local engineers contribute.
Engineering pay by role in Des Moines
Estimated pay for each discipline in Des Moines. Filter the list or open a role for the full picture.
| Engineering role | Pay band (10th–90th) | Median | 90th pct | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager Architecture & Engineering | $134,310 | $202,400 | Verified | ||
| Software Engineer Software & Technology | $124,630 | $170,040 | Verified | ||
| Data Engineer Emerging | $124,630 | $170,040 | Estimate | ||
| AI Engineer Emerging | $124,630 | $170,040 | Estimate | ||
| Machine Learning Engineer Emerging | $124,630 | $170,040 | Estimate | ||
| Cloud Engineer Emerging | $124,630 | $170,040 | Estimate | ||
| DevOps Engineer Emerging | $124,630 | $170,040 | Estimate | ||
| Electrical Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $110,350 | $239,200 | Verified | ||
| Industrial Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $100,440 | $150,940 | Verified | ||
| Systems Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $98,040 | $126,900 | Estimate | ||
| Robotics Engineer Emerging | $98,040 | $126,900 | Estimate | ||
| Entry-Level Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $98,040 | $126,900 | Estimate | ||
| Senior Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $98,040 | $126,900 | Estimate | ||
| Civil Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $96,440 | $134,920 | Verified | ||
| Environmental Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $92,160 | $113,440 | Verified | ||
| Mechanical Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $88,500 | $177,080 | Verified |
- Verified
Engineering Manager
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$134,310
90th
$202,400
View details - Verified
Software Engineer
Software & Technology
Median
$124,630
90th
$170,040
View details - Estimate
Data Engineer
Emerging
Median
$124,630
90th
$170,040
View details - Estimate
AI Engineer
Emerging
Median
$124,630
90th
$170,040
View details - Estimate
Machine Learning Engineer
Emerging
Median
$124,630
90th
$170,040
View details - Estimate
Cloud Engineer
Emerging
Median
$124,630
90th
$170,040
View details - Estimate
DevOps Engineer
Emerging
Median
$124,630
90th
$170,040
View details - Verified
Electrical Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$110,350
90th
$239,200
View details - Verified
Industrial Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$100,440
90th
$150,940
View details - Estimate
Systems Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$98,040
90th
$126,900
View details - Estimate
Robotics Engineer
Emerging
Median
$98,040
90th
$126,900
View details - Estimate
Entry-Level Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$98,040
90th
$126,900
View details - Estimate
Senior Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$98,040
90th
$126,900
View details - Verified
Civil Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$96,440
90th
$134,920
View details - Verified
Environmental Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$92,160
90th
$113,440
View details - Verified
Mechanical Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$88,500
90th
$177,080
View details
What affects engineering pay in Des Moines
- ▹Local market. Des Moines pay runs -5% vs national for the typical engineer, usually above the Iowa statewide estimate.
- ▹Industry concentration.A metro's dominant employers (tech, defense, energy, healthcare) shift which engineering disciplines command a premium locally.
- ▹Experience & specialization. Seniority and in-demand skills swing pay well beyond the metro median — see the role table above and the calculator.
- ▹Remote work.Remote offers may anchor to a company's HQ market rather than Des Moines, raising or lowering local pay.
Other Iowa metros
Engineer salaries in Des Moines — FAQ
How much do engineers make in Des Moines?
What is the highest-paying engineering role in Des Moines?
How does engineering pay in Des Moines compare to the national average?
Source details
BLS publishes no single "engineer" occupation. This blends the published medians of 7 engineering occupations in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, weighted by local employment (7,630 jobs).
Benchmarks come from published government wage data via BLS OEWS. Local and emerging-role figures are labeled estimates. Full methodology →