Head of Applied AI.
Des Moines.
$217,000
median salary, 15% below the national average
$162,000 to $285,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
A Head of Applied AI in Des Moines earns a median of $217,000 in 2026. That is 15% below the national average. The range runs from $162,000 to $285,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Revenue attribution is critical.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $195,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$141,000
to $174,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$184,000
to $228,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$239,000
to $282,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$271,000
to $336,000
Salary trend
+5% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $44,000 to the total package.
Base
$217,000
Equity
$24,000
Bonus
$16,000
Signing
$4,000
Estimated total: $261,000
How Des Moines compares
Des Moines, IA
$217,000
Cost of living: 14% below average
National Average
$255,000
Des Moines is $38,000 below
Head of Applied AI salary by city
Salary by role in Des Moines
What you should know
Here is what the Head of Applied AI market actually looks like in Des Moines. 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. Revenue attribution is critical. Heads of Applied AI who can demonstrate direct business impact from deployed models command top-tier compensation. Experience shipping production AI systems at scale matters more than research publications. Industry expertise in high-value verticals like fintech or autonomous systems adds 12 to 20% to offers.
Senior applied ML engineers or AI team leads earning $170,000 to $220,000 advance to this role at $190,000 to $335,000. The path forward leads to VP of AI at $240,000 to $350,000 or Chief AI Officer. Some heads of applied AI become co-founders of AI-native startups. 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. Total packages range from $400,000 to $800,000 including equity, bonuses of 25 to 45% of base, and profit-sharing arrangements tied to AI product revenue. Signing bonuses of $40,000 to $120,000 are common for experienced hires. 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 $217,000, 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 Head of Applied AIs in Des Moines runs from $162,000 to $285,000. 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 Chief Human Resources Officer in Des Moines earns $219,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Des Moines is Chief AI Officer at $277,000
Common questions.
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