AI UX Researcher.
Des Moines.
$119,000
median salary, 14% below the national average
$90,000 to $157,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median AI UX Researcher salary in Des Moines is $119,000, 14% below the national average. Entry level starts near $90,000. Experienced professionals push past $157,000. 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 $107,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$77,000
to $95,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$101,000
to $125,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$131,000
to $155,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$149,000
to $184,000
Salary trend
+10% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $49,000 to the total package.
Base
$119,000
Equity
$30,000
Bonus
$12,000
Signing
$7,000
Estimated total: $168,000
How Des Moines compares
Des Moines, IA
$119,000
Cost of living: 14% below average
National Average
$138,000
Des Moines is $19,000 below
AI UX Researcher salary by city
Salary by role in Des Moines
What you should know
Before you negotiate a AI UX Researcher offer in Des Moines, understand the terrain. 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 scales with the complexity of AI systems being studied and the employer's research investment. Researchers at major AI labs and tech companies earn the most. Expertise in measuring trust, explainability, and human-AI collaboration effectiveness commands premium salaries.
Junior UX researchers on AI teams start around $82,000. Senior AI UX researchers earn $130,000 to $155,000. Research directors or heads of human-AI interaction research reach $200,000 to $260,000 at major tech companies. 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. Tech company RSUs add significant value to total compensation packages. Research-focused roles often include generous conference travel budgets and publication bonuses. Some companies offer sabbatical programs for extended research projects. 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 $119,000, 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 UX Researchers in Des Moines runs from $90,000 to $157,000. 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 Software Engineer in Des Moines earns $118,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Des Moines is Distinguished Engineer at $295,000
Common questions.
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