Principal Engineer.
Des Moines.
$226,000
median salary, 13% below the national average
$174,000 to $295,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Des Moines is 14% cheaper than the national average. For Principal Engineers, that shakes out to a median of $226,000, with the full range spanning $174,000 to $295,000. Principal engineers are compensated for defining technical direction at the organization or company level. 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 $203,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$147,000
to $181,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$192,000
to $237,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$249,000
to $294,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$283,000
to $350,000
Salary trend
+5% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $60,000 to the total package.
Base
$226,000
Equity
$34,000
Bonus
$21,000
Signing
$5,000
Estimated total: $286,000
How Des Moines compares
Des Moines, IA
$226,000
Cost of living: 14% below average
National Average
$260,000
Des Moines is $34,000 below
Principal Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in Des Moines
What you should know
Here is what the Principal Engineer 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. Principal engineers are compensated for defining technical direction at the organization or company level. Salary scales with the size and complexity of systems owned, the number of teams influenced, and the strategic importance of technical decisions. Domain expertise in critical areas like infrastructure, security, or AI amplifies compensation further.
Principal engineers typically have 12 to 18 years of experience. The path from staff to principal requires company-wide technical influence and thought leadership. Distinguished engineers and fellows represent the next level, with total comp at the largest companies exceeding $1,000,000. 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. RSUs at major tech companies add $150,000 to $500,000+ annually. Bonuses of 20% to 30% are standard. Total compensation at top-tier companies regularly exceeds $600,000 to $900,000. Retention packages and sabbatical programs are common at this level. 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 $226,000, 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 Principal Engineers in Des Moines runs from $174,000 to $295,000. 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 CEO in Des Moines earns $227,000 (0% more)
- The highest-paying role in Des Moines is Distinguished Engineer at $295,000
Common questions.
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