Civil Engineer Salary in Iowa
Based on 3K+ workers in Iowa
Median Annual Salary (IA)
$96,430
$46.36/hr
vs National Average
$99,151
-2.7% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$65K – $135K
3K employed in Iowa
Civil engineers in Iowa earn a median salary of $96,430 per year, with approximately 2,500 workers in the state employed in this field. This salary sits about 3 percent below the national average, though it remains a competitive wage that reflects the state's infrastructure and construction demands.
Several factors influence civil engineer salary in Iowa, including years of experience, specific engineering discipline, employer type, and project complexity. Engineers working on large-scale infrastructure projects or for government agencies may earn differently than those in smaller private firms. Geographic location within Iowa and professional certifications also play roles in determining individual compensation levels.
Salary Distribution — Civil Engineer in Iowa
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $64,900 |
| 25th percentile | $76,760 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $96,430 |
| 75th percentile | $120,230 |
| 90th percentile | $135,480 |
Top-Paying Industries for Civil Engineer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Civil Engineers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Civil Engineers in Iowa tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $157,120 | 960 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $123,980 | 3K |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $116,320 | 1K |
| Utilities | $112,820 | 2K |
| Finance and Insurance | $109,740 | 600 |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Civil Engineer in Iowa vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Iowa) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $83,920 |
| 2023 | $92,530 |
| 2024 | $94,500 |
| 2025 | $96,430 |
| 2026 (projected) | $98,399 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Iowa Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $83,920 | $86,235 |
| 2023 | $92,530 | $90,685 |
| 2024 | $94,500 | $96,900 |
| 2025 | $96,430 | $99,151 |
| 2026 (projected) | $98,399 | $101,176 |
Civil Engineer Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $76,760 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $96,430 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $120,230 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $135,480 |
Civil Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Civil Engineer Salaries in Iowa
How other high-demand occupations in Iowa compare to Civil Engineer ($96,430 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Civil Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager in IA | $147,320 | +52.8% | $70.83/hr |
| Chemical Engineer in IA | $117,590 | +21.9% | $56.53/hr |
| Electrical Engineer in IA | $105,820 | +9.7% | $50.88/hr |
| Mechanical Engineer in IA | $97,700 | +1.3% | $46.97/hr |
| Industrial Engineer in IA | $97,690 | +1.3% | $46.97/hr |
| Environmental Engineer in IA | $94,830 | -1.7% | $45.59/hr |
| Biomedical Engineer in IA | $81,710 | -15.3% | $39.28/hr |
| Materials Engineer in IA | $64,270 | -33.4% | $30.90/hr |
| Project Management Specialist in IA | $96,540 | +0.1% | $46.41/hr |
| Economist in IA | $96,310 | -0.1% | $46.30/hr |
| Computer Systems Analyst in IA | $95,920 | -0.5% | $46.12/hr |
| Data Scientist in IA | $95,830 | -0.6% | $46.07/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do civil engineers make in Iowa?
- Civil engineers in Iowa earn a median salary of $96,430 per year, or $46 per hour. This is 2.7% below the national average for civil engineers.
What is the salary range for civil engineers in Iowa?
- Civil engineers in Iowa earn between $64,900 and $135,480 annually, depending on experience, education, and specialization. The median falls at $96,430, which represents the middle of this range.
How many civil engineers are employed in Iowa?
- There are approximately 2,500 civil engineers currently employed in Iowa, indicating a stable job market for professionals in this field.
Is the civil engineer salary in Iowa competitive compared to the national average?
- Iowa's civil engineer median salary of $96,430 is slightly below the national average by 2.7%. While not the highest-paying state, Iowa offers reasonable compensation for civil engineers relative to the nation.