US
Des Moines, IA
Iowa salary market
$104K
Avg / Year
-12% vs U.S.
vs National
260
Employment
$8.6K
Monthly Avg
Updated for 2026

Energy Engineer Salary in Des Moines, IA (2026)

The Energy Engineer salary in Des Moines, IA for 2026 is presented as a modeled salary benchmark built from the latest official BLS wage baseline, then extended with wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available. This guide compares the Des Moines, IA market with the U.S. baseline and breaks projected pay down by experience, skills, industry, and nearby markets.

Official BLS baseline: 2024Des Moines, IA city pageModeled salary guide10 min read
City Average
$104K
per year
Entry Level
$79.2K
starting range
Senior Level
$129K
upper local band
Remote / Hybrid
$106K
modeled local premium
Monthly
$8.6K
avg before tax
Hourly Rate
$47
median equivalent
Salary figures projected to 2026  from May 2024BLS OEWS baseline  ·  Projections use wage history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available
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Energy Engineer Salary Overview in Des Moines, IA

Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Energy Engineer pay in Des Moines, IA at about $103,559 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $74,990.0, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about $126,900.

Salary estimates are based on data from the Des Moines-West Des Moines, Ia metropolitan area, which includes nearby cities such as West Des Moines.

If you’re comparing Energy Engineer salaries in Des Moines, IA, the real story isn’t just the headline number. Local employer mix, seniority, specialization, and whether the role is remote, hybrid, or onsite can push compensation well above or below the local median.

Des Moines, IA vs. U.S. National Average

Des Moines, IA pays -12% vs u.s. for Energy Engineer roles. The difference is driven by local employer demand, industry mix, cost pressures, and how concentrated this role is in the underlying metro labor market.

United States National Average
$118K
all U.S. markets combined
-12%
Des Moines, IA Premium
Des Moines, IA City Average
$104K
Energy Engineer
MarketProjected Salaryvs Des Moines, IAMarket Maturity
Des Moines, IA (this guide)$103,559BaselineLocal market
United States$117,750+14% vs U.S.National baseline
Davenport, IA$101,340-2% vs U.S.Comparable city
Ames, IA$100,400-3% vs U.S.Comparable city
Cedar Rapids, IA$99,990.0-3% vs U.S.Comparable city
Why Des Moines, IA pay differsThe strongest city salary premiums usually appear where employers compete for specialized talent, where the role is concentrated, and where local costs make compensation harder to hold down.

Energy Engineer Salary by Experience Level in Des Moines, IA

Experience changes the local salary picture quickly because employers usually pay for independence, specialization, and broader scope, not just years on paper. In Des Moines, IA, this breakdown shows how aEnergy Engineer can move from early-career pay into stronger bands as the role becomes more self-directed.

Entry-Level
0-2 years
$85.4K
$50/hr median equivalent
$79.2K - $104K
Mid-Level
3-5 years
$104K
$50/hr median equivalent
$85.4K - $129K
Senior
6-10 years
$129K
$50/hr median equivalent
$104K - $134K
Lead / Principal
10+ years
$134K
$50/hr median equivalent
$129K - $164K
LevelExperienceProjected SalaryProjected RangeMarket Signal
Entry-Level Energy Engineer0-2 years$85,359.0$79,211.0 - $103,559-28% vs U.S.
Mid-Level Energy Engineer3-5 years$103,559$85,359.0 - $128,625-12% vs U.S.
Senior Energy Engineer6-10 years$128,625$103,559 - $134,044+9% vs U.S.
Lead / Principal Energy Engineer10+ years$134,044$128,625 - $163,533+14% vs U.S.
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Best Salary Areas Near Des Moines, IA

Nearby metro areas help show how Energy Engineer pay changes around Des Moines, IA. Each market reflects its own employer mix, local demand, and industry concentration, making these comparisons useful for candidates weighing their location options.

#1
Des Moines, IA
$104K
avg / year
Salary estimates are based on data from the Des Moines-West Des Moines, Ia metropolitan area, which includes nearby cities such as West Des Moines.
This guide
#2
Davenport, IA
$101K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Energy Engineer salaries around Des Moines, IA.
-2% vs U.S.
#3
Ames, IA
$100K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Energy Engineer salaries around Des Moines, IA.
-3% vs U.S.
#4
Cedar Rapids, IA
$100.0K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Energy Engineer salaries around Des Moines, IA.
-3% vs U.S.
#5
Iowa City, IA
$86.1K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Energy Engineer salaries around Des Moines, IA.
-17% vs U.S.

Energy Engineer Salary by Industry in Des Moines, IA

Industry premiums in Des Moines, IA usually come from employers that place the Energy Engineer role close to revenue, infrastructure, compliance, product delivery, or other high-value work. National industry data gives the best available benchmark until local industry slices are available.

IndustryModeled SalaryReference RangeSignal
Information$159,700$77,720.0 - N/AStronger salary
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$137,610$63,520.0 - $191,880Stronger salary
Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$135,320$64,250.0 - $191,880Stronger salary
Finance and Insurance$128,960$85,610.0 - $172,620Competitive
Management of Companies and Enterprises$122,930$76,120.0 - $175,170Competitive
Utilities$118,630$82,810.0 - $171,230Competitive
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services$112,040$60,310.0 - $183,070Competitive
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction$109,250$65,790.0 - $181,870Competitive

Entry-Level Energy Engineer Salary in Des Moines, IA

Entry-level Energy Engineer jobs in Des Moines, IA are modeled around the lower local wage percentiles. Candidates who can show practical projects, job-ready tools, and strong fundamentals usually have a better path into the middle of the local salary range.

For a broader starting-pay benchmark beyond this city market, see the entry-level Energy Engineer salary guide.

Entry estimateA reasonable entry-level salary benchmark for Energy Engineer roles in Des Moines, IA is about $85,359.0.
Preparation pathJob Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. Typical education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. Training signal: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Remote vs Onsite Energy Engineer Pay in Des Moines, IA

Remote work can widen the employer pool for Energy Engineer candidates in Des Moines, IA. Onsite and hybrid roles may still pay more when employers need local availability, local clients, regulated work, or team coverage.

Local Onsite Role
$103,559
avg local employer
Hybrid Role
$105,630
modeled local premium
+2% local avg
Work TypeEstimated SalaryExperienceBest FitFlexibility
Remote$101,488Market dependentNational hiring poolsHigh
Hybrid$105,630Metro dependentDes Moines, IA employersMedium
Onsite$103,559Location dependentLocal teams and operationsLower

Cost of Living vs Salary in Des Moines, IA

A salary in Des Moines, IA should be read alongside housing, commuting, tax, and everyday costs. The same annual pay can feel very different at entry, mid-level, and senior levels.

Monthly Expense
Entry
Mid
Senior
Housing / rent
$1.4K
$1.9K
$2.4K
Transport / commute
$302.0
$345.2
$388.3
Food and groceries
$647.2
$690.4
$776.7
Utilities and internet
$302.0
$345.2
$388.3
Estimated remainder
$2.9K
$4.5K
$5.5K
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Top Employers Hiring Energy Engineers in Des Moines, IA

Employer mix is one of the biggest city-level salary drivers. The industries below highlight where Energy Engineer pay tends to be strongest in Des Moines, IA, based on the sectors that create the most hiring demand for this role.

1
Information employers
$160K
Industry benchmark for Energy Engineer roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
2
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service employers
$138K
Industry benchmark for Energy Engineer roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
3
Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service employers
$135K
Industry benchmark for Energy Engineer roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
4
Finance and Insurance employers
$129K
Industry benchmark for Energy Engineer roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
5
Management of Companies and Enterprises employers
$123K
Industry benchmark for Energy Engineer roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
6
Utilities employers
$119K
Industry benchmark for Energy Engineer roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.

Des Moines, IA Compared With Other U.S. Cities

This comparison is useful when one city salary number is not enough on its own. It shows whetherDes Moines, IA is genuinely a stronger-paying market for Energy Engineer work or whether the local benchmark sits closer to the broader national middle.

Des Moines, IA
This guide
$104K
Baseline
Davenport, IA
Nearby U.S. market
$101K
-2% vs U.S.
Ames, IA
Nearby U.S. market
$100K
-3% vs U.S.
Cedar Rapids, IA
Nearby U.S. market
$100.0K
-3% vs U.S.
Iowa City, IA
Nearby U.S. market
$86.1K
-17% vs U.S.
Davenport, IA
Nearby U.S. market
$104K
Near national
Cedar Rapids, IA
Nearby U.S. market
$99.4K
-4% vs U.S.

Career Growth Opportunities in Des Moines, IA

Local career growth is strongest when it is read through both the city salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The city salary benchmark shows what this market currently pays, while the career path and BLS demand data show how that benchmark can expand with scope and responsibility.

1
Intern / Trainee
$68.3K - $91.8K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
2
Junior
$84.8K - $112K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
3
Mid Level
$106K - $132K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
4
Senior
$127K - $165K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
5
Lead
$151K - $191K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
6
Principal / Architect
$177K - $241K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
BLS Demand SignalEmployment is projected to change by 2.1% from 2024 to 2034.
About averageAnnual openings: 9.3 thousand.
Metric2026 Outlook
Projected employment158.8k → 162.1k
Typical educationMost of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related experienceA considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Local market anchor260 jobs with a median of $103,559

Factors Affecting Energy Engineer Salary in Des Moines, IA

Local pay rarely moves for one reason alone. In city markets, the biggest differences usually come from employer concentration, industry mix, seniority, and whether the role is tied to business-critical work that is harder to staff.

Years of Experience
Salary usually rises as the role moves from entry-level execution to independent ownership, mentoring, and broader decision-making.
Location and Cost of Living
Local salary ranges vary by labor market, employer density, and household-income context.
Industry
Industry pay can vary when employers in higher-margin or harder-to-staff sectors compete for the same occupation.
Specialized Skills
O*NET marks high-demand role-specific skills as relevant skills for this role, making them useful anchors for specialization and salary-growth content.

How to Increase Your Energy Engineer Salary in Des Moines, IA

In city markets, salary growth often comes from better positioning as much as from patience. These moves are most useful when you already understand the local benchmark and want a clearer path beyond it.

1
Benchmark against stronger markets
Compare national, metro, and industry salary facts before negotiating so your target range is grounded in current wage data.
1-3 months timeline
2
Build a visible specialization
Prioritize skills such as high-demand role-specific skills; O*NET relevance scores make these good first candidates for portfolio and resume positioning.
3-9 months timeline
3
Target higher-paying industries
Use industry salary facts to identify sectors that already pay above the occupation baseline.
2-6 months timeline
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Energy Engineer Salary in Des Moines, IA: FAQs

These questions usually come up after readers compare the city benchmark, the statewide picture, and the local experience ladder. They help clarify how to read the market and what matters most when you compare this city with other options.

These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "Energy Engineer" usually compare local pay, employer mix, and market differences in this city.

What is the average Energy Engineer in Des Moines, IAs salary?
The latest national baseline for Energy Engineers is about $117,800 per year, based on the current BLS-derived salary facts in CareerClev.
What is the entry-level Energy Engineer in Des Moines, IAs salary?
Entry-level estimates for Energy Engineers are modeled around the lower BLS percentile range, currently about $62,800 per year nationally.
How much can senior Energy Engineer in Des Moines, IAs professionals earn?
Senior Energy Engineers estimates are modeled from upper percentile wage bands and currently sit around $152,700 per year nationally.
Does location affect Energy Engineer in Des Moines, IAs salary?
Yes. CareerClev stores salary facts by national, state, and metro locations, so location-specific pages should use the closest available geography instead of a single national number.
Which skills matter for Energy Engineer in Des Moines, IAs salary growth?
CareerClev uses O*NET skill importance and level scores to identify role-relevant skills. These are useful for recommendations, but should not be presented as measured salary premiums unless enriched compensation data exists.
Data
Data Sources & MethodologyUpdated using 2024 BLS OEWS salary facts, O*NET occupation-skill data, Census location context where available, ILOSTAT country benchmarks where mapped, BLS Employment Projections where imported, and Stack Overflow Developer Survey enrichment for mapped tech roles.
Salary figures use BLS OEWS wage facts for 2024. City pages use the BLS metropolitan area as the salary dataset, display the largest city as the public page name, and model experience bands from local wage percentiles.
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