AI Auditor.
Des Moines.
$124,000
median salary, 17% below the national average
$95,000 to $161,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median AI Auditor salary in Des Moines is $124,000, 17% below the national average. Entry level starts near $95,000. Experienced professionals push past $161,000. Des Moines is a major insurance and financial services hub, home to Principal Financial, EMC Insurance, and a growing fintech community. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $111,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$81,000
to $99,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$105,000
to $130,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$136,000
to $161,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$155,000
to $192,000
Salary trend
+8% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $62,000 to the total package.
Base
$124,000
Equity
$38,000
Bonus
$17,000
Signing
$7,000
Estimated total: $186,000
How Des Moines compares
Des Moines, IA
$124,000
Cost of living: 14% below average
National Average
$150,000
Des Moines is $26,000 below
AI Auditor salary by city
Salary by role in Des Moines
What you should know
If you are interviewing for AI Auditor roles in Des Moines, here is what you are walking into. Des Moines is a major insurance and financial services hub, home to Principal Financial, EMC Insurance, and a growing fintech community. The city's extremely low cost of living and strong job market make it one of the best value cities for finance professionals. Compensation varies with expertise in algorithmic auditing methodologies, bias detection frameworks, and regulatory compliance standards. Auditors with experience conducting third-party AI assessments for regulated industries earn top-band salaries. Technical ability to independently evaluate model performance and fairness metrics drives 10 to 15% salary premiums.
Junior AI audit analysts start at $80,000 to $100,000. AI auditors earn $115,000 to $150,000. Senior auditors and managers reach $170,000 to $220,000, and partners or directors at AI audit practices command $250,000 to $350,000 in total compensation. In Des Moines, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 14% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Bonuses range from 10 to 20% at consulting firms and financial institutions. Equity is available at AI governance startups. Big Four consulting firms offer structured progression with partner-track bonuses that can significantly exceed base salary. And on the tax side: iowa has a flat 3.8% state income tax. Des Moines has no city income tax. The low rate and affordable housing create strong purchasing power. When someone quotes you $124,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Benchmark against national insurance industry pay scales. Des Moines insurance employers compete with remote offers from larger metros. The range for AI Auditors in Des Moines runs from $95,000 to $161,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A AI Supply Chain Analyst in Des Moines earns $123,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Des Moines is Technical Fellow at $313,000
- See all ai engineering roles tracked in Orbyt Intelligence
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