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 city's extremely low cost of living and strong job market make it one of the best value cities for finance professionals. 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 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 compete with remote offers from larger metros. 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 AI Safety Researcher in Des Moines earns $166,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Des Moines is Distinguished Engineer at $295,000
Common questions.
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