Salary guide, May 2025
Lead Manufacturing Engineer pay in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
This is what we do all day: recruit manufacturing professionals.
The median annual wage for Architectural and Engineering Managers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA was $148,330 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $127,010 and $176,090.
The Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA median is $22,940 below the national median of $171,270, both from BLS May 2025.
Broader occupation · SOC 11-9041 Architectural and Engineering Managers
Lead Manufacturing Engineer is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range.
What should you know about des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $100,600 | $127,010 | $148,330 | $176,090 | $211,950 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $48.36 | $61.06 | $71.31 | $84.66 | $101.90 |
BLS estimated 360 workers employed in this occupation in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA. Location quotient: 0.62.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $120,810 | $139,360 | $171,270 | $212,500 | $262,760 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $58.08 | $67.00 | $82.34 | $102.16 | $126.33 |
What should you know about role pay against all occupations here?
The published Lead Manufacturing Engineer median is $148,330. The all-occupations median in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $51,820. Ratio: 2.86 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 0.62 measures how concentrated this occupation's employment is here against the nation. It is not a wage index.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $117,680 | $134,310 | $166,940 |
| May 2025 | $127,010 | $148,330 | $176,090 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 11-9041 Architectural and Engineering Managers, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 11-9041 Architectural and Engineering Managers, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | $137,010 | $131,650 to $155,210 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $140,340 | $126,080 to $168,730 |
All roles in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA · National page · Lead Manufacturing Engineer ranked across metros