Environmental Engineers Salary in Des Moines, IA

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

Median annual salary $92,160 -11.5% vs national
Median hourly $44.31
10th percentile $62,930
90th percentile $113,440
Employed locally 110
National median $104,170

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Environmental Engineers
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $62,930
    25th
    $78,970
    50th (median)
    $92,160
    75th
    $108,590
    90th
    $113,440

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Environmental Engineers salary vs area income 109% Median Environmental Engineers salary is 9% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Environmental Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $142,000
    Southeast-Central Idaho nonmetropolitan area $140,760
    Bend, OR $140,590
    Midland, TX $139,230
    Stockton-Lodi, CA $138,700
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $138,090

    Nearby metros — Environmental Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    California $127,660
    District of Columbia $125,980
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $125,240
    Louisiana $123,210
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $120,290
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $105,090

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $96,440
    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

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Environmental Engineers in Des Moines, IA is $44.31, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $55.01 or more per hour.

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

    The median Environmental Engineers salary in Des Moines, IA is 11.5% below the national median of $104,170. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

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

    Entry-level Environmental Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $62,930 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $78,970.