Autonomous Vehicle Engineer.
Des Moines.
$142,000
median salary, 16% below the national average
$108,000 to $175,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Des Moines is 14% cheaper than the national average. For Autonomous Vehicle Engineers, that shakes out to a median of $142,000, with the full range spanning $108,000 to $175,000. Compensation scales with expertise in sensor fusion, path planning, and functional safety standards like ISO 26262. 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 $128,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$92,000
to $114,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$121,000
to $149,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$156,000
to $185,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$178,000
to $220,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $42,000 to the total package.
Base
$142,000
Equity
$24,000
Bonus
$15,000
Signing
$3,000
Estimated total: $184,000
Autonomous Vehicle 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
$142,000
Cost of living: 14% below average
National Average
$170,000
Des Moines is $28,000 below
Autonomous Vehicle Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in Des Moines
What you should know
The Autonomous Vehicle 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. Compensation scales with expertise in sensor fusion, path planning, and functional safety standards like ISO 26262. Engineers with experience shipping L3+ autonomy systems are exceptionally rare and command top dollar. Proficiency in simulation environments and real-world testing frameworks also drives premiums.
Entry-level AV engineers start at $115,000 to $135,000. Mid-level engineers working on perception or planning stacks reach $155,000 to $185,000. Senior AV engineers earn $190,000 to $240,000, while staff-level engineers at companies like Waymo or Cruise can exceed $350,000 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. AV companies offer substantial equity packages, often adding $50,000 to $150,000 annually at well-funded startups. Signing bonuses of $25,000 to $50,000 are common for experienced hires. Relocation packages to AV hubs like Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and Phoenix are standard. 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 $142,000, 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 Autonomous Vehicle Engineers in Des Moines runs from $108,000 to $175,000. 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/GenAI Sales Engineer in Des Moines earns $143,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Des Moines is Distinguished Engineer at $295,000
Common questions.
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