Engineering Des Moines, IA Pop. 214,133

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Des Moines, Iowa

The median petroleum engineer salary in Des Moines, IA is $121,256 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 3.4% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$121,256
vs State Avg
+$3,954
vs National
$-10,544
Cost of Living
92%

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

Des Moines offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $121,256, which is $3,954 above the Iowa state average of $117,302. Compared to the national median of $131,800, 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 petroleum engineers in Des Moines spans from $73,600 at the 10th percentile to $185,840 at the 90th percentile — a $112,240 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $77,280, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $179,400. With a population of 214,133, Des Moines is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Des Moines by Experience

In Des Moines, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $77,280, while experienced professionals earn up to $179,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$77,280
$-6,720 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$123,280
$-10,720 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$179,400
$-15,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Des Moines, IA

Percentile Des Moines
10th Percentile $73,600
25th Percentile $93,840
Median (50th) $121,256
75th Percentile $154,560
90th Percentile $185,840

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$125,210
Pop. 74,828
Cedar Rapids, IA
$115,984
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$113,348
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$110,712
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Des Moines

Education

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

Key Skills

Reservoir EngineeringDrillingGeologySimulation SoftwareProject ManagementData Analysis

Job Outlook

Nationally, petroleum 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 Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Des Moines

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Des Moines, IA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Des Moines

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Des Moines, IA? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Des Moines, Iowa is $121,256 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $73,600 (10th percentile) to $185,840 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Des Moines? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $121,256, a petroleum engineer in Des Moines earns approximately $58 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Des Moines compare to the Iowa state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Des Moines's median petroleum engineer salary of $121,256 is 3.4% above the Iowa state average of $117,302. 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 petroleum engineer salary of $121,256 in Des Moines has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Des Moines? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Des Moines require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Reservoir Engineering, Drilling, Geology, Simulation Software. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.