Electrical Engineer salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Electrical Engineers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $107,040 a year ($51.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $153,800 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $120,630. Pay here is 1% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $105,820. There are 0.69 electrical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $113,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for electrical engineers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,790 | $37.40 |
| 25th percentile | $90,990 | $43.75 |
| Median | $107,040 | $51.46 |
| 75th percentile | $129,600 | $62.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $153,800 | $73.94 |
| Average (mean) | $113,210 | $54.43 |
Half of electrical 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 | $8,920 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,460 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,116.92 |
| Weekly | $2,058.46 |
| Hourly | $51.46 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Electrical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $107,000 | 60 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $106,840 | 170 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $104,360 | 390 |
| Dubuque, IA | $104,290 | 70 |
| Ames, IA | $103,750 | 40 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $103,360 | 530 |
Highest-paying states for electrical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $158,520 |
| California | $144,040 |
| District of Columbia | $143,000 |
| New Hampshire | $135,710 |
| Washington | $132,710 |
| Texas | $129,450 |
| Idaho | $129,340 |
| Massachusetts | $127,720 |
| Delaware | $126,970 |
| Alaska | $125,970 |
See Electrical Engineer pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $97,330 | $46.79 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,270 | $47.25 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $85,490 | $41.10 |
| 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 17-2071. 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 electrical engineer make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for electrical engineers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $107,040 a year, or $51.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $153,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid electrical engineers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of electrical engineers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $153,800 a year. The top 25% earn $129,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for electrical engineers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,790 a year, and a quarter of electrical engineers earn $90,990 or less.
How many electrical engineers work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 280 electrical engineers are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.