AI Engineer.
Des Moines.
$155,000
median salary, 11% below the national average
$115,000 to $204,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a AI Engineer offer in Des Moines, IA, here is the reality: $115,000 to $204,000, with $155,000 as the midpoint. 11% below the national average. Hands on experience building AI powered products, familiarity with foundation models (GPT, Claude, Gemini), and ability to integrate AI into production systems are the biggest salary drivers. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $139,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$101,000
to $124,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$132,000
to $163,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$171,000
to $202,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$194,000
to $240,000
Salary trend
+8% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $64,000 to the total package.
Base
$155,000
Equity
$39,000
Bonus
$16,000
Signing
$9,000
Estimated total: $219,000
AI Engineer salary by company
Total compensation estimates include base, equity, bonus, and signing. Ranges reflect mid to senior level. Derived from public H-1B LCA filings, SEC proxy statements, and aggregated self-reported data.
How Des Moines compares
Des Moines, IA
$155,000
Cost of living: 14% below average
National Average
$175,000
Des Moines is $20,000 below
AI Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in Des Moines
What you should know
The AI Engineer landscape in Des Moines is not what most salary sites will tell you. 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. Hands on experience building AI powered products, familiarity with foundation models (GPT, Claude, Gemini), and ability to integrate AI into production systems are the biggest salary drivers. Engineers who understand both model fine tuning and application architecture are rare and highly compensated. Industry domain (health, finance, defense) adds further premiums.
Junior AI engineers start at $120,000 to $150,000, reaching mid level at $155,000 to $200,000 in two to three years. Senior AI engineers earn $200,000 to $280,000. Staff AI engineers and technical leads at top labs can exceed $400,000 in total compensation. Moving into AI architecture or CTO roles extends the ceiling further. 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. Equity at AI startups and labs can represent 30 to 50% of total compensation. Bonuses of 15 to 25% are typical. Signing bonuses of $30,000 to $100,000 are common at well funded companies. Benefits often include compute credits, research time, and conference travel budgets. And on the tax side: 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 someone quotes you $155,000, 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 must compete with remote offers from larger metros and will often match. The range for AI Engineers in Des Moines runs from $115,000 to $204,000. 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 Safety Engineer in Des Moines earns $156,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Des Moines is Chief AI Officer at $277,000
Common questions.
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