How much does an architect make in Des Moines?
$97,460a year
Median yearly pay for architects in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $46.86 an hour or $8,122 a month.
- Hourly
- $46.86
- Vs. national median
- -2%
- Rank among cities
- 100 of 231
- Jobs in the area
- 310
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $61,940Median: $97,460Highest 10%: $162,000
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $61,940 | $29.78 | |
| 25th | $63,170 | $30.37 | |
| Median | $97,460 | $46.86 | |
| 75th | $125,900 | $60.53 | |
| 90th | $162,000 | $77.87 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for architects.
| Omaha, NE | $99,350 |
| Davenport, IA | $99,030 |
| Iowa City, IA | $98,220 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $94,230 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Electrical Engineer | $107,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician | $105,200 |
| Engineer | $100,900 |
| Health and Safety Engineer | $99,480 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,270 |
| Civil Engineer | $97,330 |
| Environmental Engineer | $94,800 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $85,490 |
| Electronics Engineer | $81,330 |
| Surveyor | $78,860 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an architect make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $46.86 ($97,460 a year).
Do architects make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $97,460 against $99,280 nationally, 2% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $96,810, so Des Moines pays 1% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for architect pay?
100 of 231 metro areas with data.
How much does an architect make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $61,940 or less a year; the top 10% make $162,000 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.