Sales Engineers Salary in Des Moines, IA

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

Median annual salary $110,190 -9.3% vs national
Median hourly $52.98
10th percentile $60,490
90th percentile $190,390
Employed locally 120
National median $121,520

Compare Sales Engineers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Des Moines, IA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Sales Engineers
in
Des Moines, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $60,490
    25th
    $79,190
    50th (median)
    $110,190
    75th
    $169,570
    90th
    $190,390

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Sales Engineers salary vs area income 131% Median Sales Engineers salary is 31% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Sales Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $179,490
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $173,640
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $170,400
    Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ $169,560
    Arizona $169,470
    Delaware $166,400

    Nearby metros — Sales Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $179,490
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $148,020
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $136,380
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $135,420
    Virginia $135,080
    California $134,990

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Retail Salespersons $31,360
    Cashiers $29,780
    Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products $65,280
    Insurance Sales Agents $75,300
    First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers $46,180
    Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel $64,990

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Sales Engineers in Des Moines, IA is $52.98, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $65.67 or more per hour.

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

    The median Sales Engineers salary in Des Moines, IA is 9.3% below the national median of $121,520. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

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

    Entry-level Sales Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $60,490 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $79,190.