salary$97,330 a year$47 an hour · median pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$65,080per year
Top pay (top 10%)$140,780per year
Jobs in the area830people work this job
Can a civil engineer afford Des Moines?
Cheap. Rent of $1,266 a month takes 15.6% of the median civil engineer salary. That is under the 30% rule, so one paycheck covers rent comfortably.
Civil Engineer pay in similar cities
Other jobs in Des Moines
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Des Moines, IA?
The median pay for a civil engineer in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA area is $97,330 a year ($47 an hour). Most earn between $65,080 and $140,780.
Can a civil engineer afford to live in Des Moines?
Typical rent of $1,266 a month takes 15.6% of the median civil engineer salary, which we rate Cheap.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area.