Validation Engineer salary in Des Moines, IA
Based on 11 certified H-1B filings in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Ankeny, Urbandale, Johnston, Waukee.
Median salary$90,000
Middle 50%$86.8k–$109.6k
vs. national median−29%comparison median $126,418
Filings11FY2025–FY2026 · latest two fiscal years
Salary range
National median
$70k$80k$90k$100k$110k$120k$130k$140k
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $85,550 |
| 25th | $86,775 |
| 50th (median) | $90,000 |
| 75th | $109,633 |
| 90th | $119,938 |
Cost of living
Des Moines's median Validation Engineer salary of $90,000 is worth about $98,100 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Des Moines = 91.7).
Compared with all workers here
All Validation Engineers in the Des Moines, IA area earned a median of $100,880 in May 2025 (260 employed). The H-1B median here is $90,000, 11% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Top employers filing
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Bayer Research and Development Services | too few | 2 |
| BrightSharks Engineering Services | too few | 2 |
| Deere & 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 | 4 |
| Senior · Level III | – | 0 |
| Expert · Level IV | too few | 2 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.