Expert Data Engineer salary in Des Moines, IA
Based on 10 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes West Des Moines, Waukee, Urbandale.
Also listed as: Database Architect, Data Architect
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $140,234 |
| 25th | $140,234 |
| 50th (median) | $140,234 |
| 75th | $147,753 |
| 90th | $180,160 |
Cost of living
Des Moines's median expert Data Engineer salary of $140,234 is worth about $152,900 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Des Moines = 91.7).
Compared with all workers here
All Database Architects in the Des Moines, IA area earned a median of $120,030 in May 2025 (140 employed). The H-1B median here is $140,234, 17% higher.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Cognizant | too few | 3 |
| Athene Annuity and Life Company | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | – | 0 |
| Mid-level · Level II | too few | 5 |
| Senior · Level III | – | 0 |
| Expert · Level IV | $140,234 | 10 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expert · Level IV | $140,234 | $140,234 | 10 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.