Technology Des Moines, IA Pop. 214,133

Network Engineer Salary in Des Moines, Iowa

The median network engineer salary in Des Moines, IA is $81,880 per year, which is 11% below the national median and 3.5% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$81,880
vs State Avg
+$2,760
vs National
$-10,120
Cost of Living
92%

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

Des Moines offers a median network engineer salary of $81,880, which is $2,760 above the Iowa state average of $79,120. Compared to the national median of $92,000, 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 network engineers in Des Moines spans from $49,840 at the 10th percentile to $129,050 at the 90th percentile — a $79,210 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $53,400, while senior network engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $122,820. With a population of 214,133, Des Moines is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Network Engineer Salary in Des Moines by Experience

In Des Moines, an entry-level network engineer earns around $53,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $122,820 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$53,400
$-6,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$83,660
$-10,340 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$122,820
$-15,180 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Des Moines, IA

Percentile Des Moines
10th Percentile $49,840
25th Percentile $65,860
Median (50th) $81,880
75th Percentile $105,020
90th Percentile $129,050

Network Engineer Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$84,640
Pop. 74,828
Cedar Rapids, IA
$78,200
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$76,360
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$74,520
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Network Engineer in Des Moines

Education

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

Key Skills

CiscoTCP/IPFirewallsVPNNetwork MonitoringCCNA/CCNP

Job Outlook

Nationally, network 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 Network Engineer Jobs in Des Moines

Browse open network engineer positions in Des Moines, IA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Network Engineer Salary in Des Moines

How much does a Network Engineer make in Des Moines, IA? ▼
The median network engineer salary in Des Moines, Iowa is $81,880 per year, which is 11% below the national median of $92,000. Salaries range from $49,840 (10th percentile) to $129,050 (90th percentile).
How much does a Network Engineer make per hour in Des Moines? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $81,880, a network engineer in Des Moines earns approximately $39 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Des Moines compare to the Iowa state average for network engineer pay? ▼
Des Moines's median network engineer salary of $81,880 is 3.5% above the Iowa state average of $79,120. 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 network engineer salary of $81,880 in Des Moines has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a network engineer in Des Moines? ▼
Most network engineer positions in Des Moines require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Cisco, TCP/IP, Firewalls, VPN. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.