Civil Engineer salary in Iowa
Civil Engineers in Iowa earn a median of $96,430 a year ($46.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,500 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,480 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $100,840. Iowa ranks 38th of 51 states for civil engineers pay. There are 1.6 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.68). The average (mean) salary is $99,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,900 | $31.20 |
| 25th percentile | $76,760 | $36.91 |
| Median | $96,430 | $46.36 |
| 75th percentile | $120,230 | $57.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,480 | $65.14 |
| Average (mean) | $99,950 | $48.05 |
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 | $8,035.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,017.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,708.85 |
| Weekly | $1,854.42 |
| Hourly | $46.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Civil Engineer salary in cities in Iowa
| 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 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $97,330 | 830 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $97,690 | $46.96 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $97,700 | $46.97 |
| Electrical Engineer | $105,820 | $50.87 |
| Engineers, All Other | $103,090 | $49.56 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $106,350 | $51.13 |
| Materials Engineer | $64,270 | $30.90 |
| Environmental Engineer | $94,830 | $45.59 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $125,120 | $60.15 |
| Agricultural Engineer | $96,290 | $46.29 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $81,710 | $39.28 |
| Chemical Engineer | $117,590 | $56.54 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,540 | $34.88 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $64,220 | $30.87 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for civil engineers in Iowa is $96,430 a year, or $46.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of civil engineers in Iowa earn at least $135,480 a year. The top 25% earn $120,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,900 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $76,760 or less.
How many civil engineers work in Iowa?
About 2,500 civil engineers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.