Engineering Des Moines, IA Pop. 214,133

Environmental Engineer Salary in Des Moines, Iowa

The median environmental engineer salary in Des Moines, IA is $89,074 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 3.4% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$89,074
vs State Avg
+$2,904
vs National
$-7,746
Cost of Living
92%

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

Des Moines offers a median environmental engineer salary of $89,074, which is $2,904 above the Iowa state average of $86,170. Compared to the national median of $96,820, 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 environmental engineers in Des Moines spans from $56,120 at the 10th percentile to $136,160 at the 90th percentile — a $80,040 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $58,880, while senior environmental engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $130,640. With a population of 214,133, Des Moines is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Environmental Engineer Salary in Des Moines by Experience

In Des Moines, an entry-level environmental engineer earns around $58,880, while experienced professionals earn up to $130,640 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$58,880
$-5,120 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$90,160
$-7,840 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$130,640
$-11,360 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Des Moines, IA

Percentile Des Moines
10th Percentile $56,120
25th Percentile $69,920
Median (50th) $89,074
75th Percentile $112,240
90th Percentile $136,160

Environmental Engineer Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$91,979
Pop. 74,828
Cedar Rapids, IA
$85,202
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$83,265
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$81,329
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Environmental Engineer in Des Moines

Education

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

Key Skills

Environmental RemediationWater TreatmentAir QualityEPA RegulationsGISProject Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, environmental engineer employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Des Moines may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Environmental Engineer Jobs in Des Moines

Browse open environmental engineer positions in Des Moines, IA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Environmental Engineer Salary in Des Moines

How much does a Environmental Engineer make in Des Moines, IA? ▼
The median environmental engineer salary in Des Moines, Iowa is $89,074 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $96,820. Salaries range from $56,120 (10th percentile) to $136,160 (90th percentile).
How much does a Environmental Engineer make per hour in Des Moines? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $89,074, a environmental engineer in Des Moines earns approximately $43 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Des Moines compare to the Iowa state average for environmental engineer pay? ▼
Des Moines's median environmental engineer salary of $89,074 is 3.4% above the Iowa state average of $86,170. 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 environmental engineer salary of $89,074 in Des Moines has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a environmental engineer in Des Moines? ▼
Most environmental engineer positions in Des Moines require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Environmental Remediation, Water Treatment, Air Quality, EPA Regulations. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.