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AI Engineer Salary in Des Moines, Iowa

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$96,138/ year

Median AI Engineer in Des Moines, IA

$56,924
10th
$69,420
25th
$96,138
Median
$129,050
75th
$157,441
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$96,138
Total compensation (est.)
$110,559
Bonus range
$3,900 – $17,400
Mean salary
$101,906

How This Compares

Des Moines, IA median
$96,138
Iowa median
$110,180-12.7%
National median
$108,020-11.0%

Cost of living in Des Moines is 0% below the national average. Salary of $96,138 here is equivalent to $96,138 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$69,219-28.0%
3-5 years
$87,486-9.0%
6-10 years
$107,675+12.0%
10+ years
$132,670+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$84,601-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$96,138
Enterprise (5,000+)
$113,443+18.0%

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AI Engineer Salaries in Nearby Cities

Cedar Rapids, IA$108,020/yr
Davenport, IA$108,020/yr

Related Jobs in Des Moines

Software Engineer$115,842/yr
Senior Software Engineer$115,842/yr
Frontend Developer$111,152/yr
Backend Developer$115,842/yr
Full Stack Developer$115,842/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$46/hr
Monthly gross$8,012/mo
25th percentile$69,420/yr
75th percentile$129,050/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

Iowa Unemployment

Dec 2025

3.5%

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

AI Engineer Salaries by City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average AI Engineer salary in Des Moines?

The median AI Engineer salary in Des Moines is $96,138 per year, with a range from $69,420 at the 25th percentile to $129,050 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does AI Engineer pay in Des Moines compare to the national average?

AI Engineer salaries in Des Moines are 11% below the national median of $108,020. After adjusting for Des Moines's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $96,138 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect AI Engineer salaries in Des Moines?

In Des Moines, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level AI Engineer roles start around $56,924, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $157,441 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Des Moines a good place for AI Engineer jobs?

Des Moines offers a AI Engineer median of $96,138, which is 11% below the US median of $108,020. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Des Moines is 0% cheaper than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher AI Engineer salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for AI Engineer in Des Moines is $129,050, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.