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  1. Home/
  2. Salaries/
  3. AI Cost Analyst/
  4. Des Moines

AI Cost Analyst.

Des Moines.

$93,000

median salary, 15% below the national average

$72,000 to $121,000. Last updated April 2026.

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Data points to own the conversation.

Des Moines is 14% cheaper than the national average. For AI Cost Analysts, that shakes out to a median of $93,000, with the full range spanning $72,000 to $121,000. Know the range before you walk in.

Salary range

25th Percentile

$72,000

per year

Median

$93,000

per year

75th Percentile

$121,000

per year

Where do you fall?

$72,000$121,000

Salary by experience

The gap between entry and lead level is typically $84,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.

Entry (0-2 yrs)

$60,000

to $74,000

Mid (3-5 yrs)

$79,000

to $98,000

Senior (6-9 yrs)

$102,000

to $121,000

Lead (10+ yrs)

$116,000

to $144,000

Salary trend

+8% YoY
$68,000
2022
$74,000
2023
$80,000
2024
$86,000
2025
$93,000
2026

Total compensation

Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $48,000 to the total package.

Base

$93,000

Equity

$29,000

Bonus

$13,000

Signing

$6,000

Estimated total: $141,000

How Des Moines compares

Des Moines, IA

$93,000

Cost of living: 14% below average

National Average

$110,000

Des Moines is $17,000 below

AI Cost Analyst salary by city

AI Cost Analyst salary comparison across 10 cities
CityMedianRangeCOLAdjusted
San Jose, CA$155,000$121,000 – $201,0001.38x$112,000
San Francisco, CA$150,000$117,000 – $195,0001.35x$111,000
Honolulu, HI$146,000$114,000 – $190,0001.30x$112,000
New York, NY$145,000$113,000 – $189,0001.28x$113,000
Arlington, VA$140,000$109,000 – $181,0001.22x$115,000
Washington DC, DC$135,000$105,000 – $175,0001.25x$108,000
Jersey City, NJ$135,000$105,000 – $175,0001.20x$113,000
Seattle, WA$134,000$105,000 – $174,0001.24x$108,000
Los Angeles, CA$132,000$104,000 – $172,0001.18x$112,000
Des Moines, IA$93,000$72,000 – $121,0000.86x$108,000

See all 81 cities for AI Cost Analyst →

Salary by role in Des Moines

Salary comparison by role in Des Moines
RoleMedianRange
Principal AI Research Scientist$313,000$244,000 – $407,000
Principal Quantitative Researcher$313,000$244,000 – $407,000
Technical Fellow$304,000$237,000 – $395,000
AI Cost Analyst$93,000$72,000 – $121,000
AI Curriculum Designer$93,000$67,000 – $126,000
AI Training Data Specialist$93,000$66,000 – $128,000
Veterinarian$93,000$77,000 – $115,000
AI Localization Specialist$93,000$69,000 – $120,000

What you should know

Des Moines is a major insurance and financial services hub, home to Principal Financial, EMC Insurance, and a growing fintech community. The metro's extremely low cost of living and strong job market make it one of the best value cities for finance professionals. Tech employment is growing as insurtech companies expand. That is the backdrop for every AI Cost Analyst offer you will see here.

One thing people overlook: taxes. Iowa has a flat 3.8% state income tax. Des Moines has no city income tax. The low tax rate and affordable housing create strong purchasing power. The salary on the offer letter is not the salary in your bank account. Always model your take home before you accept.

On negotiation: Benchmark against national insurance industry pay scales. Des Moines insurance employers must compete with remote offers from larger metros and will often match. The range for AI Cost Analysts in Des Moines runs from $72,000 to $121,000. 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

Interactive

Is your offer competitive?

Enter your AI Cost Analyst offer to see where you stand in Des Moines.

$

25th

$72,000

Median

$93,000

75th

$121,000

Considering a related role?

  • A GEO/AEO Specialist in Des Moines earns $94,000 (1% more)
  • The highest-paying role in Des Moines is Principal AI Research Scientist at $313,000

Common questions.

Entry level AI Cost Analyst positions in Des Moines typically start near $72,000. Candidates with relevant internships, certifications, or portfolio work often negotiate closer to the median of $93,000.

Des Moines is a major insurance and financial services hub, home to Principal Financial, EMC Insurance, and a growing fintech community. The metro's extremely low cost of living and strong job market make it one of the best value cities for finance professionals. For AI Cost Analysts specifically, the median salary of $93,000 reflects that demand.

Experience level, specialization depth, and industry domain are the primary AI Cost Analyst salary drivers. In Des Moines, these factors can push compensation from the 25th percentile of $72,000 to the 75th percentile of $121,000 or beyond.

Des Moines's cost of living multiplier is 0.86x the national average. The adjusted median AI Cost Analyst salary of $93,000 accounts for this. In practice, a AI Cost Analyst earning $93,000 in Des Moines has roughly the same purchasing power as someone earning $108,140 in an average cost market.

It depends on the position and employer. Many AI Cost Analysts in Des Moines are classified as exempt salaried employees without overtime eligibility. However, performance bonuses of 10 to 20% are common. When evaluating the $72,000 to $121,000 range, ask about the total compensation structure during negotiation.

Iowa has a flat 3.8% state income tax. Des Moines has no city income tax. The low tax rate and affordable housing create strong purchasing power. When comparing offers across states, your take home pay matters more than the number on the offer letter. A lower salary in a no income tax state can net more than a higher one elsewhere.

Des Moines's cost of living is 14% below the national average. Des Moines is a major insurance and financial services hub, home to Principal Financial, EMC Insurance, and a growing fintech community. Calculate your actual take home pay after housing, taxes, and transportation before deciding. A $93,000 salary here buys a different lifestyle than the same number in another market.

AI Cost Analyst salary in other cities

Austin$118,000
Atlanta$110,000
Anchorage$124,000
Albuquerque$101,000
Arlington$140,000
Albany$108,000

Other salaries in Des Moines

AI Engineer$155,000
AI Product Manager$140,000
AI Research Scientist$179,000
AI Safety Engineer$156,000

Related

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Cite this data

Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.

"AI Cost Analyst Salary in Des Moines, IA." Orbyt Salary Explorer, April 2026. https://www.orbytjobs.ai/salaries/ai-cost-analyst/des-moines

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