Civil Engineers Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $96,440 -3.2% vs national
Median hourly $46.36
10th percentile $64,620
90th percentile $134,920
Employed locally 780
National median $99,590

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Civil Engineers
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $64,620
    25th
    $77,340
    50th (median)
    $96,440
    75th
    $111,080
    90th
    $134,920

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Civil Engineers salary vs area income 115% Median Civil Engineers salary is 15% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Civil Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $130,310
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $129,260
    Redding, CA $127,130
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $126,560
    Napa, CA $122,820
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $121,170

    Nearby metros — Civil Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    California $118,450
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $113,360
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $112,020
    Northeast Virginia nonmetropolitan area $109,960
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $106,430
    Northeast Louisiana nonmetropolitan area $105,180

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Industrial Engineers $100,440
    Mechanical Engineers $88,500
    Electrical Engineers $110,350
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval $90,520
    Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians $64,530
    Architectural and Civil Drafters $64,600

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Civil Engineers make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Civil Engineers in Des Moines, IA is $46.36, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $67.68 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Civil Engineers salaries?

    The median Civil Engineers salary in Des Moines, IA is 3.2% below the national median of $99,590. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Civil Engineers in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Civil Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $64,620 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $77,340.