AI Transportation Planner.
Des Moines.
$99,000
median salary, 17% below the national average
$74,000 to $128,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
A AI Transportation Planner in Des Moines earns a median of $99,000 in 2026. That is 17% below the national average. The range runs from $74,000 to $128,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Compensation reflects the intersection of transportation planning expertise and ML engineering capability.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $89,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$64,000
to $79,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$84,000
to $104,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$109,000
to $129,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$124,000
to $153,000
Salary trend
+9% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $49,000 to the total package.
Base
$99,000
Equity
$30,000
Bonus
$13,000
Signing
$6,000
Estimated total: $148,000
How Des Moines compares
Des Moines, IA
$99,000
Cost of living: 14% below average
National Average
$120,000
Des Moines is $21,000 below
AI Transportation Planner salary by city
Salary by role in Des Moines
What you should know
Here is what the AI Transportation Planner market actually looks like in Des Moines. 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 intersection of transportation planning expertise and ML engineering capability. Planners who can build predictive traffic models, optimize transit networks, and design AI-powered mobility solutions earn premiums. Experience with simulation, agent-based modeling, and real-time optimization for urban transportation systems drives higher salaries.
Junior AI transportation planners start at $78,000 to $95,000. Mid-level planners building production traffic prediction systems reach $112,000 to $140,000. Senior planners leading AI mobility programs earn $145,000 to $175,000. Directors of AI transportation at transit agencies or mobility companies can reach $190,000 to $240,000. 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. Government positions offer strong benefits including pensions and job security. Consulting rates for independent AI transportation experts range from $200 to $400 per hour. Equity at mobility tech companies adds $10,000 to $45,000 annually. Academic positions offer research freedom but lower base pay. 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 $99,000, 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 Transportation Planners in Des Moines runs from $74,000 to $128,000. 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 IT Project Manager in Des Moines earns $100,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Des Moines is Distinguished Engineer at $295,000
Common questions.
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