Engineers, All Other Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
In Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, engineers, all others earn $98,040 at the median — $47.13 an hour. The range runs from $75K at the entry level to $127K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.7), which stretches that salary to about $106,914 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,318/month, or 21.3% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $98K get you in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
About engineers, all others
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Entry-level engineers, all others (10th percentile) start around $75K. Mid-career wages sit at $98K.Top earners bring in $127K or more - a $52K spread from bottom to top.
Engineers, All Other pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $167K | +42% | 2,640 |
| Alabama | $146K | +24% | 3,370 |
| New Mexico | $143K | +21% | 1,720 |
| Virginia | $142K | +21% | 5,980 |
| Wyoming | $139K | +18% | 190 |
| Maryland | $136K | +15% | 6,670 |
| Alaska | $132K | +12% | 280 |
| Massachusetts | $132K | +12% | 2,930 |
| New Jersey | $132K | +12% | 3,910 |
| Rhode Island | $132K | +12% | 390 |
| Idaho | $131K | +12% | 590 |
| California | $129K | +9% | 26,500 |
| Oregon | $126K | +7% | 2,540 |
| Washington | $125K | +6% | 3,150 |
| Hawaii | $120K | +2% | 920 |
Track engineers, all other salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Des Moines-West Des Moines numbers change.
Related careers in Engineering
Frequently asked questions
How much do engineers, all others make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median is $98,040 a year - that works out to about $47.13 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $74,990, and experienced engineers, all others can clear $126,900. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $98K enough to live in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,016/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,318/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 21.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a engineers, all other salary go in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
Des Moines-West Des Moines has a Regional Price Parity of 91.7 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median engineers, all other salary is worth about $106,914 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do engineers, all others get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.