Surveyors Salary in Des Moines, IA

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

Median annual salary $76,920 +5.7% vs national
Median hourly $36.98
10th percentile $66,360
90th percentile $105,410
Employed locally 170
National median $72,740

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Surveyors
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $66,360
    25th
    $66,380
    50th (median)
    $76,920
    75th
    $93,940
    90th
    $105,410

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Surveyors salary vs area income 91% Median Surveyors salary is 9% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Surveyors

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Yuba City, CA $130,730
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $124,990
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $122,690
    Redding, CA $121,250
    Fresno, CA $115,620
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $110,450

    Nearby metros — Surveyors salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $107,320
    California $103,790
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $102,160
    Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL $97,160
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $90,610
    Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $86,720

    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 Surveyors make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Surveyors in Des Moines, IA is $36.98, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $62.98 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Surveyors salaries?

    The median Surveyors salary in Des Moines, IA is 5.7% above the national median of $72,740. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

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

    Entry-level Surveyors (10th percentile) earn around $66,360 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $66,380.