AI Healthcare Data Engineer.
Des Moines.
$125,000
median salary, 11% below the national average
$94,000 to $159,000. 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 Healthcare Data Engineers, that shakes out to a median of $125,000, with the full range spanning $94,000 to $159,000. Compensation reflects the specialized knowledge needed to work with healthcare data formats (HL7, FHIR, DICOM) and privacy regulations (HIPAA, HITECH). Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $113,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$81,000
to $100,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$106,000
to $131,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$138,000
to $163,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$156,000
to $194,000
Salary trend
+9% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $55,000 to the total package.
Base
$125,000
Equity
$33,000
Bonus
$14,000
Signing
$8,000
Estimated total: $180,000
How Des Moines compares
Des Moines, IA
$125,000
Cost of living: 14% below average
National Average
$140,000
Des Moines is $15,000 below
AI Healthcare Data Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in Des Moines
What you should know
The AI Healthcare Data 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 city's extremely low cost of living and strong job market make it one of the best value cities for finance professionals. Compensation reflects the specialized knowledge needed to work with healthcare data formats (HL7, FHIR, DICOM) and privacy regulations (HIPAA, HITECH). Engineers who can build compliant data pipelines that prepare clinical data for ML model training earn premiums. Experience with de-identification, data harmonization across health systems, and real-world evidence generation is highly valued.
Junior healthcare data engineers start at $90,000 to $110,000. Mid-level engineers building HIPAA-compliant ML data pipelines reach $130,000 to $158,000. Senior engineers designing enterprise health data platforms earn $165,000 to $200,000. Directors of health data engineering can reach $220,000 to $280,000 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. Equity at health AI companies adds $15,000 to $60,000 annually. Bonuses of 10% to 18% are standard. Benefits often include comprehensive health coverage, continuing education stipends, and student loan repayment assistance. Some health systems offer pension benefits. 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 $125,000, 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 Healthcare Data Engineers in Des Moines runs from $94,000 to $159,000. 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 Product Manager in Des Moines earns $124,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Des Moines is Distinguished Engineer at $295,000
Common questions.
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