Computer Vision Researcher.
Des Moines.
$167,000
median salary, 13% below the national average
$123,000 to $221,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median Computer Vision Researcher salary in Des Moines is $167,000, 13% below the national average. Entry level starts near $123,000. Experienced professionals push past $221,000. 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 $150,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$109,000
to $134,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$142,000
to $175,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$184,000
to $217,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$209,000
to $259,000
Salary trend
+9% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $82,000 to the total package.
Base
$167,000
Equity
$50,000
Bonus
$22,000
Signing
$10,000
Estimated total: $249,000
How Des Moines compares
Des Moines, IA
$167,000
Cost of living: 14% below average
National Average
$192,000
Des Moines is $25,000 below
Computer Vision Researcher salary by city
Salary by role in Des Moines
What you should know
Before you negotiate a Computer Vision 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 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. Specialization in high-demand areas like autonomous vehicles, medical imaging, or video understanding drives significant salary variance. Researchers with experience deploying vision models at scale earn 10 to 20% more than those focused purely on benchmarks. Geographic location matters, with Bay Area roles paying 20 to 30% above national medians.
Junior CV researchers start at $142,000 to $170,000 post-PhD. Senior researchers with published CVPR or ECCV papers earn $195,000 to $260,000. Principal researchers and lab leads reach $280,000 to $380,000, while VP-level research directors can exceed $500,000 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. Autonomous vehicle and robotics companies frequently offer equity packages worth $100,000 to $300,000 annually. Performance bonuses range from 15 to 25%, and relocation packages of $15,000 to $50,000 are standard for top candidates. 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 $167,000, 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 Computer Vision Researchers in Des Moines runs from $123,000 to $221,000. 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 Machine Learning Researcher in Des Moines earns $168,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Des Moines is Principal AI Research Scientist at $313,000
- See all ai research roles tracked in Orbyt Intelligence
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