How much does an engineer make in Des Moines?
$100,900a year
Median yearly pay for engineers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $48.50 an hour or $8,407 a month.
- Hourly
- $48.50
- Vs. national median
- -18%
- Rank among cities
- 159 of 248
- Jobs in the area
- 260
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $73,810Median: $100,900Highest 10%: $136,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $73,810 | $35.49 | |
| 25th | $82,650 | $39.74 | |
| Median | $100,900 | $48.50 | |
| 75th | $129,000 | $62.00 | |
| 90th | $136,400 | $65.58 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for engineers.
| Omaha, NE | $113,400 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $111,100 |
| Davenport, IA | $104,100 |
| Ames, IA | $95,260 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Electrical Engineer | $107,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician | $105,200 |
| Health and Safety Engineer | $99,480 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,270 |
| Architect | $97,460 |
| 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 engineer make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $48.50 ($100,900 a year).
Do engineers make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $100,900 against $122,900 nationally, 18% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $103,100, so Des Moines pays 2% less.
Where does Des Moines rank for engineer pay?
159 of 248 metro areas with data.
How much does an engineer make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $73,810 or less a year; the top 10% make $136,400 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.