Civil Engineer salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Civil Engineers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $97,330 a year ($46.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 830 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,780 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $100,840. Pay here is 1% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $96,430. There are 2.1 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $102,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,080 | $31.29 |
| 25th percentile | $78,320 | $37.65 |
| Median | $97,330 | $46.79 |
| 75th percentile | $122,740 | $59.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $140,780 | $67.68 |
| Average (mean) | $102,460 | $49.26 |
Half of civil engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,110.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,055.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,743.46 |
| Weekly | $1,871.73 |
| Hourly | $46.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $97,330 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Civil Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $102,020 | 1,240 |
| Ames, IA | $100,200 | 290 |
| Dubuque, IA | $99,210 | 120 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $97,430 | 110 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $95,540 | 290 |
| Iowa City, IA | $93,020 | 130 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $92,950 | 410 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $88,460 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for civil engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $122,500 |
| Alaska | $114,730 |
| Washington | $110,000 |
| Massachusetts | $106,730 |
| Louisiana | $105,380 |
| Oregon | $105,250 |
| New Jersey | $104,660 |
| Nevada | $104,310 |
| New Mexico | $103,900 |
| District of Columbia | $103,880 |
See Civil Engineer pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $98,270 | $47.25 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $85,490 | $41.10 |
| Electrical Engineer | $107,040 | $51.46 |
| Engineers, All Other | $100,880 | $48.50 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Environmental Engineer | $94,800 | $45.58 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $99,480 | $47.83 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,470 | $34.84 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $64,240 | $30.89 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $97,460 | $46.85 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $76,440 | $36.75 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $75,510 | $36.30 |
| Surveyor | $78,860 | $37.91 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $60,040 | $28.87 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for civil engineers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $97,330 a year, or $46.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of civil engineers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $140,780 a year. The top 25% earn $122,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,080 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $78,320 or less.
How many civil engineers work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 830 civil engineers are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.