Engineering Des Moines, IA Pop. 214,133

Chemical Engineer Salary in Des Moines, Iowa

The median chemical engineer salary in Des Moines, IA is $97,759 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 3.4% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$97,759
vs State Avg
+$3,188
vs National
$-8,501
Cost of Living
92%

Chemical Engineer Pay in Des Moines: What to Expect (2026)

Des Moines offers a median chemical engineer salary of $97,759, which is $3,188 above the Iowa state average of $94,571. Compared to the national median of $106,260, Des Moines pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Des Moines's cost of living is 92% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for chemical engineers in Des Moines spans from $62,560 at the 10th percentile to $158,240 at the 90th percentile — a $95,680 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $64,400, while senior chemical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $149,040. With a population of 214,133, Des Moines is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Chemical Engineer Salary in Des Moines by Experience

In Des Moines, an entry-level chemical engineer earns around $64,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $149,040 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$64,400
$-5,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$99,360
$-8,640 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$149,040
$-12,960 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Des Moines, IA

Percentile Des Moines
10th Percentile $62,560
25th Percentile $77,280
Median (50th) $97,759
75th Percentile $126,960
90th Percentile $158,240

Chemical Engineer Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$100,947
Pop. 74,828
Cedar Rapids, IA
$93,509
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$91,384
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$89,258
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Chemical Engineer in Des Moines

Education

Most chemical engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Des Moines and the surrounding Iowa area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Process EngineeringChemical ProcessesASPENSafety EngineeringQuality ControlThermodynamics

Job Outlook

Nationally, chemical engineer employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Des Moines may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Chemical Engineer Jobs in Des Moines

Browse open chemical engineer positions in Des Moines, IA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Chemical Engineer Salary in Des Moines

How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Des Moines, IA? ▼
The median chemical engineer salary in Des Moines, Iowa is $97,759 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $106,260. Salaries range from $62,560 (10th percentile) to $158,240 (90th percentile).
How much does a Chemical Engineer make per hour in Des Moines? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $97,759, a chemical engineer in Des Moines earns approximately $47 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Des Moines compare to the Iowa state average for chemical engineer pay? ▼
Des Moines's median chemical engineer salary of $97,759 is 3.4% above the Iowa state average of $94,571. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Des Moines, IA? ▼
Des Moines has a cost of living index of 92% compared to the national average. This means a chemical engineer salary of $97,759 in Des Moines has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a chemical engineer in Des Moines? ▼
Most chemical engineer positions in Des Moines require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Process Engineering, Chemical Processes, ASPEN, Safety Engineering. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.