Engineering Des Moines, IA Pop. 214,133

Electrical Engineer Salary in Des Moines, Iowa

The median electrical engineer salary in Des Moines, IA is $96,241 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 3.4% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$96,241
vs State Avg
+$3,138
vs National
$-8,369
Cost of Living
92%

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

Des Moines offers a median electrical engineer salary of $96,241, which is $3,138 above the Iowa state average of $93,103. Compared to the national median of $104,610, 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 electrical engineers in Des Moines spans from $60,720 at the 10th percentile to $149,040 at the 90th percentile — a $88,320 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $62,560, while senior electrical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $142,600. With a population of 214,133, Des Moines is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Electrical Engineer Salary in Des Moines by Experience

In Des Moines, an entry-level electrical engineer earns around $62,560, while experienced professionals earn up to $142,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$62,560
$-5,440 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$97,520
$-8,480 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$142,600
$-12,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Des Moines, IA

Percentile Des Moines
10th Percentile $60,720
25th Percentile $76,360
Median (50th) $96,241
75th Percentile $121,440
90th Percentile $149,040

Electrical Engineer Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$99,380
Pop. 74,828
Cedar Rapids, IA
$92,057
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$89,965
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$87,872
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Electrical Engineer in Des Moines

Education

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

Key Skills

Circuit DesignMATLABPCB DesignPower SystemsControl SystemsEmbedded Systems

Job Outlook

Nationally, electrical engineer employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Des Moines may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Electrical Engineer Jobs in Des Moines

Browse open electrical engineer positions in Des Moines, IA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Electrical Engineer Salary in Des Moines

How much does a Electrical Engineer make in Des Moines, IA? ▼
The median electrical engineer salary in Des Moines, Iowa is $96,241 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $104,610. Salaries range from $60,720 (10th percentile) to $149,040 (90th percentile).
How much does a Electrical Engineer make per hour in Des Moines? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $96,241, a electrical engineer in Des Moines earns approximately $46 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Des Moines compare to the Iowa state average for electrical engineer pay? ▼
Des Moines's median electrical engineer salary of $96,241 is 3.4% above the Iowa state average of $93,103. 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 electrical engineer salary of $96,241 in Des Moines has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a electrical engineer in Des Moines? ▼
Most electrical engineer positions in Des Moines require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Circuit Design, MATLAB, PCB Design, Power Systems. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.