Director of Test Engineering.
Des Moines.
$163,000
median salary, 16% below the national average
$127,000 to $212,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
A Director of Test Engineering in Des Moines earns a median of $163,000 in 2026. That is 16% below the national average. The range runs from $127,000 to $212,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $147,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$106,000
to $130,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$139,000
to $171,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$179,000
to $212,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$204,000
to $253,000
Salary trend
+7% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $110,000 to the total package.
Base
$163,000
Equity
$60,000
Bonus
$37,000
Signing
$13,000
Estimated total: $273,000
How Des Moines compares
Des Moines, IA
$163,000
Cost of living: 14% below average
National Average
$195,000
Des Moines is $32,000 below
Director of Test Engineering salary by city
Salary by role in Des Moines
What you should know
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. That is the backdrop for every Director of Test Engineering offer you will see here.
One thing people overlook: taxes. 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. The salary on the offer letter is not the salary in your bank account. Always model your take home before you accept.
On negotiation: Benchmark against national insurance industry pay scales. Des Moines insurance employers compete with remote offers from larger metros. The range for Director of Test Engineerings in Des Moines runs from $127,000 to $212,000. 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 LLM Engineer in Des Moines earns $162,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Des Moines is Technical Fellow at $313,000
Common questions.
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