Civil Engineer Salary in Des Moines, IA
Civil Engineers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median $97,330 a year — 3% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $74,255 take-home, or $6,188 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median civil engineer salary in Des Moines, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,583
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,034
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,411
- Iowa income tax$3,047
- Take-home pay$74,255
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.80% state
Civil Engineer pay by experience in Des Moines, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,080 | $31.29 | $52,651 | $4,388 |
| 25th percentile | $78,320 | $37.65 | $61,604 | $5,134 |
| Median (50th) | $97,330 | $46.79 | $74,255 | $6,188 |
| 75th percentile | $122,740 | $59.01 | $91,146 | $7,596 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $140,780 | $67.68 | $102,791 | $8,566 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $97,330 buys in Des Moines, IA
Prices in Des Moines, IA are 8.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 15% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median civil engineer's $74,255 take-home pay has the buying power of $80,975 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Civil Engineer jobs are about as common in Des Moines, IA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.87).
Best-paying cities for civil engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Des Moines, IA ranks #38 of 125 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kennewick, WA | $121,370 | $94,214 | $94,139 |
| 2 | Baton Rouge, LA | $112,430 | $84,938 | $93,565 |
| 3 | Mobile, AL | $107,810 | $79,549 | $90,296 |
| 4 | New Orleans, LA | $108,240 | $82,116 | $88,681 |
| 5 | Sioux Falls, SD | $99,700 | $78,969 | $87,132 |
| 6 | Tulsa, OK | $102,080 | $76,595 | $85,856 |
| 7 | Sacramento, CA | $130,150 | $90,657 | $84,988 |
| 8 | Beaumont, TX | $95,510 | $76,021 | $84,425 |
| 38 | Des Moines, IA | $97,330 | $74,255 | $80,975 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 125 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Des Moines, IA?
The median civil engineer salary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $97,330 a year, or about $46.79 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $78,320 and $122,740.
What is a civil engineer’s take-home pay in Des Moines, IA?
On the median $97,330 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $74,255 a year ($6,188 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,047 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Pay here is 3% below the national median of $100,840. Local prices are 8.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $80,975 would in a typical U.S. city. Des Moines, IA ranks #38 of 125 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a civil engineer afford rent in Des Moines, IA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Des Moines, IA is $1,092 a month ($1,302 for two bedrooms) — 18% of a median civil engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Des Moines, IA
- Industrial Engineer — $98,270