Environmental Engineer salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Environmental Engineers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $94,800 a year ($45.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,410 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $107,110. Pay here is about the same as the Iowa statewide median of $94,830. There are 0.21 environmental engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $92,460, close to the median.
Pay range for environmental engineers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,780 | $32.11 |
| 25th percentile | $72,980 | $35.09 |
| Median | $94,800 | $45.58 |
| 75th percentile | $111,590 | $53.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $114,410 | $55.01 |
| Average (mean) | $92,460 | $44.45 |
Half of environmental 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 | $7,900 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,950 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,646.15 |
| Weekly | $1,823.08 |
| Hourly | $45.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Environmental Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $119,260 | 140 |
Highest-paying states for environmental engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | $130,510 |
| California | $130,410 |
| Oregon | $127,100 |
| Washington | $125,460 |
| Texas | $123,060 |
| Nebraska | $120,620 |
| Idaho | $117,520 |
| Florida | $116,840 |
| Massachusetts | $115,800 |
| Minnesota | $115,750 |
See Environmental 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 |
| Electrical Engineer | $107,040 | $51.46 |
| Engineers, All Other | $100,880 | $48.50 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| 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 17-2081. 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 environmental engineer make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for environmental engineers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $94,800 a year, or $45.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid environmental engineers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of environmental engineers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $114,410 a year. The top 25% earn $111,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for environmental engineers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,780 a year, and a quarter of environmental engineers earn $72,980 or less.
How many environmental engineers work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 80 environmental engineers are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.