Civil Engineer Salary in Des Moines, IA: $99,890 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Des Moines, IA earns a median $99,890/year (≈ $48.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.7), that paycheck buys what $108,930 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Des Moines, Iowa, can expect a median annual salary of $99,890, indicating a competitive wage compared to both state and national levels. Salaries in the field range from approximately $66,792 on the lower end to $144,483 for the top earners. The data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the dichotomy in pay often seen between sectors, such as those working for leading consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs versus positions within state DOTs or local government. This structural distinction in employment types creates varying salary scales, adding a layer of complexity to civil engineer pay in Des Moines.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,792 | $32.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,380 | $38.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,890 | $48.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $125,968 | $60.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $144,483 | $69.46 |
Median Salary Position
3.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, IA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $77,691 (2026 est.). At $99,890, the local median is 3.48% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Moines Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $99,890/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $98,999 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -3.48% less |
Civil Engineers in Des Moines, IA earn a median of $99,890 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.48% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.90% above the Iowa state average of $98,999.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 8.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, IA has a cost-of-living index of 91.701 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $99,890 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,930 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.05% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$85,370
2025 BLS Actual
$97,330
2026 Current Est.
$99,890
2019–2027 Growth
+20.1%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,730 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,930 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,890 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,517 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 14.0% from $85,370 (2019) to $97,330 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,517 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,147 (20.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $66,792 – $80,380 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,380 – $99,890 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,890 – $125,968 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $125,968 – $144,483 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Des Moines
The job market for civil engineers appears robust, with around 830 professionals employed in the area, equating to a steady demand for engineering expertise. The cost of living index in Des Moines, sitting at 91.701, suggests that the purchasing power of engineers here is favorable compared to more costly urban environments. Notably, firms such as AECOM and Jacobs tend to offer higher compensation, leveraging their prestigious status to attract top talent. Factors influencing the salary range include the importance of obtaining a PE license, specialization areas like transportation or structural engineering, and the impact of ongoing infrastructure projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. For engineers aiming to maximize their earnings in Des Moines, pursuing advanced credentials, taking on project management responsibilities, or targeting high-demand specialty areas can be strategic moves to enhance their overall career trajectory and earning potential.
More salary data for Des Moines, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do civil engineers make in Des Moines, IA in 2026?
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Can civil engineers make $100K in Des Moines?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted civil engineer salary in Des Moines?
How much does a civil engineer make per hour in Des Moines?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Iowa
Written by Jordan Chen, P.E.
Career Analyst
Jordan Chen has 10 years of experience in structural engineering. He works primarily in urban infrastructure projects.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $97,330 for civil engineersin the Des Moines metropolitan area. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for civil engineers (SOC 17-2051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov