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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Design Engineer in Iowa is $122,529 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $59.
However, a Design Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Design Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $130,493 | $10,874 | $2,509 | $63 |
| Average | $122,529 | $10,211 | $2,356 | $59 |
| 25th Percentile | $113,298 | $9,442 | $2,179 | $54 |
United Equipment Accessories - Waverly, IA
XL Specialized Trailers - Manchester, IA
Bolton & Menk, Inc - Cedar Rapids, IA
Rogers Freels & Associates Inc - Dubuque, IA
A Design Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Design Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Digital D... Level Design Engineer | $77,734 |
| Digital D... Level Design Engineer | $97,815 |
| Design En... Level Design Engineer | $121,943 |
| Digital D... Level Design Engineer | $154,237 |
| Digital D... Level Design Engineer | $182,742 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Design Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Design Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Design Engineer positions in Media or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Design Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $159,287 | $77.0 | 30% |
| Internet | $147,034 | $71.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $140,908 | $68.0 | 15% |
| Energy & Utilities | $134,781 | $65.0 | 10% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $134,781 | $65.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Design Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $130,493 | $10,874 | $2,509 | $63 |
| Average | $122,529 | $10,211 | $2,356 | $59 |
| 25th Percentile | $113,298 | $9,442 | $2,179 | $54 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Design Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Bolton & Menk, Inc
Des Moines, IA
Bolton & Menk, Inc | Des Moines, IA
Job Description. Job Description. Bolton & Menk has an exciting opportunity for a Design Engineer, EIT, to join our Municipal team in our Des Moines office... more
4 Days Ago
Rogers Freels & Associates Inc
Dubuque, IA
Rogers Freels & Associates Inc | Dubuque, IA
Job Description. Job Description. RFA Engineering. (www.rfamec.com) is an engineering service provider dedicated to delivering our clients with timely engi... more
1 Day Ago
Masaba Inc.
Sioux City, IA
Masaba Inc. | Sioux City, IA
Job Description. Job Description. . POSITION. Sr. Design Engineer. COMPANY PROFILE. Our client custom designs and builds specialized construction and minin... more
1 Day Ago
Van Meter Inc.
Cedar Rapids, IA
Van Meter Inc. | Cedar Rapids, IA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. Summary. The Packaged Power Design Engineer plays a crucial role in supporting our purpose of creating lasti... more
2 Days Ago
Rogers Freels & Associates Inc
Davenport, IA
Rogers Freels & Associates Inc | Davenport, IA
Job Description. Job Description. RFA Engineering. (www.rfamec.com) is an engineering service provider dedicated to delivering our clients with timely engi... more
2 Days Ago
Productive Resources
Eldridge, IA
Productive Resources | Eldridge, IA
Job Description. Job Description. Product Design Engineer II. Eldridge, IA – Direct Hire. . Productive Resources. (www.productiveresources.com). is seeking... more
3 Days Ago
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