Engineering Des Moines, IA Pop. 214,133

Marine Engineer Salary in Des Moines, Iowa

The median marine engineer salary in Des Moines, IA is $89,157 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 3.4% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$89,157
vs State Avg
+$2,907
vs National
$-7,753
Cost of Living
92%

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

Des Moines offers a median marine engineer salary of $89,157, which is $2,907 above the Iowa state average of $86,250. Compared to the national median of $96,910, 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 marine engineers in Des Moines spans from $53,360 at the 10th percentile to $139,840 at the 90th percentile — a $86,480 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $57,040, while senior marine engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $133,400. With a population of 214,133, Des Moines is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Marine Engineer Salary in Des Moines by Experience

In Des Moines, an entry-level marine engineer earns around $57,040, while experienced professionals earn up to $133,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$57,040
$-4,960 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$90,160
$-7,840 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$133,400
$-11,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Des Moines, IA

Percentile Des Moines
10th Percentile $53,360
25th Percentile $69,920
Median (50th) $89,157
75th Percentile $114,080
90th Percentile $139,840

Marine Engineer Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$92,065
Pop. 74,828
Cedar Rapids, IA
$85,281
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$83,343
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$81,404
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Marine Engineer in Des Moines

Education

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

Key Skills

Naval ArchitectureMarine SystemsCADPropulsionMaritime LawProject Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, marine 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 Marine Engineer Jobs in Des Moines

Browse open marine engineer positions in Des Moines, IA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Marine Engineer Salary in Des Moines

How much does a Marine Engineer make in Des Moines, IA? ▼
The median marine engineer salary in Des Moines, Iowa is $89,157 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $96,910. Salaries range from $53,360 (10th percentile) to $139,840 (90th percentile).
How much does a Marine Engineer make per hour in Des Moines? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $89,157, a marine 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 marine engineer pay? ▼
Des Moines's median marine engineer salary of $89,157 is 3.4% above the Iowa state average of $86,250. 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 marine engineer salary of $89,157 in Des Moines has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a marine engineer in Des Moines? ▼
Most marine engineer positions in Des Moines require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Naval Architecture, Marine Systems, CAD, Propulsion. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.