Environmental Engineer salary in Iowa
Environmental Engineers in Iowa earn a median of $94,830 a year ($45.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,050 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $107,110. Iowa ranks 38th of 50 states for environmental engineers pay. There are 0.10 environmental engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.38). The average (mean) salary is $97,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for environmental engineers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,780 | $32.11 |
| 25th percentile | $79,000 | $37.98 |
| Median | $94,830 | $45.59 |
| 75th percentile | $111,940 | $53.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,050 | $64.45 |
| Average (mean) | $97,710 | $46.98 |
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 | $7,902.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,951.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,647.31 |
| Weekly | $1,823.65 |
| Hourly | $45.59 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Environmental Engineer salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $119,260 | 140 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $94,800 | 80 |
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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $97,690 | $46.96 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $97,700 | $46.97 |
| Civil Engineer | $96,430 | $46.36 |
| 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 |
| 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 17-2081. 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 Iowa?
The median salary for environmental engineers in Iowa is $94,830 a year, or $45.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid environmental engineers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of environmental engineers in Iowa earn at least $134,050 a year. The top 25% earn $111,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for environmental engineers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,780 a year, and a quarter of environmental engineers earn $79,000 or less.
How many environmental engineers work in Iowa?
About 150 environmental engineers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.