Surveyor salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Surveyors in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $78,860 a year ($37.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,000 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $75,440. Pay here is 2% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $77,090. There are 0.37 surveyors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $90,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surveyors in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,000 | $29.33 |
| 25th percentile | $71,750 | $34.50 |
| Median | $78,860 | $37.91 |
| 75th percentile | $98,280 | $47.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,000 | $62.98 |
| Average (mean) | $90,670 | $43.59 |
Half of surveyors 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 | $6,571.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,285.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,033.08 |
| Weekly | $1,516.54 |
| Hourly | $37.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Surveyor salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $99,030 | 50 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $76,190 | 40 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $64,360 | 160 |
Highest-paying states for surveyors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $105,330 |
| Alaska | $99,550 |
| Oregon | $97,070 |
| Massachusetts | $94,590 |
| Washington | $85,610 |
| Montana | $84,610 |
| Minnesota | $83,620 |
| Maine | $83,200 |
| Delaware | $82,890 |
| Nevada | $82,460 |
See Surveyor pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $97,460 | $46.85 |
| Civil Engineer | $97,330 | $46.79 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,270 | $47.25 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $85,490 | $41.10 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,470 | $34.84 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $64,240 | $30.89 |
| Electrical Engineer | $107,040 | $51.46 |
| Engineers, All Other | $100,880 | $48.50 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $76,440 | $36.75 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $75,510 | $36.30 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $60,040 | $28.87 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $105,160 | $50.56 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,700 | $37.84 |
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 17-1022. 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 surveyor make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for surveyors in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $78,860 a year, or $37.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surveyors make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of surveyors in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $131,000 a year. The top 25% earn $98,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for surveyors in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,000 a year, and a quarter of surveyors earn $71,750 or less.
How many surveyors work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 150 surveyors are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.