How much does a AI / ML Engineer make in Iowa?

The average AI / ML Engineer salary in Iowa is around $220,000 per year. After federal taxes, FICA, and Iowa state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $155,739 annually ($12,978/month).

What is the take-home pay for a AI / ML Engineer in Iowa?

On a $220,000 salary in Iowa, your take-home pay is approximately $155,739/year or $12,978/month. Federal tax: $41,704. State tax: $7,748. FICA: $0.00.

Is $220,000 a good AI / ML Engineer salary?

$220,000 is a strong salary for a AI / ML Engineer — above the national median. In Iowa, demand for this role is active.

How do Iowa taxes affect AI / ML Engineer salaries?

Iowa levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $220,000 is $7,748. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 29.2%.

What are the career growth prospects for AI / ML Engineers?

BLS projects 23% growth through 2032 for computer/info-research scientists (which AI/ML engineers fall under) — among the fastest-growing tech roles. Frontier-lab demand uniquely strong — OpenAI / Anthropic / xAI / Mistral / DeepMind hiring at premium tiers $300K-$700K base alone for senior MLE, plus equity 1.5x-3x base.. Related roles include: Machine Learning Engineer, AI Research Scientist, Applied Scientist, Deep Learning Engineer, NLP Engineer, Computer Vision Engineer, MLE, AI Engineer, Quant ML Engineer.

How can a AI / ML Engineer in Iowa reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Tech

AI / ML Engineer Salary in Iowa (2026)

The average AI / ML Engineer in Iowa earns around $220,000/year. After taxes, your estimated take-home is $155,739/year ($12,978/month).

Take-Home Pay Breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$155,739
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$12,978
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$5,990
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$75/hr
Federal Tax	$41,704
State Tax	$7,748
FICA Taxes	$14,809
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	29.21%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

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AI / ML Engineer Salary Ranges in Iowa

Entry Level (0–3 yrs)

$165,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Mid Level (3–7 yrs)

$220,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Senior Level (7+ yrs)

$380,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Not all AI / ML Engineers earn the same — not even close

Iowa's AI/ML engineering market is anchored by John Deere Iowa (the substantial John Deere autonomous tractor AI + the substantial John Deere post-2017 Blue River Technology $305M acquisition computer vision + post-2024 SeeSpray precision herbicide AI + the substantial John Deere Operations Center connected machines AI + the substantial John Deere ExactShot precision fertilizer AI), Pioneer Hi-Bred + Corteva Agriscience Johnston (the substantial seed genomics AI + crop genetics ML + post-2024 Corteva digital ag platform), Principal Financial Group HQ Des Moines (the substantial Principal actuarial AI + retirement personalization + asset management AI), Workiva Ames (the substantial post-2010 Workiva NLP financial reporting + Wdesk AI), Collins Aerospace Cedar Rapids (RTX cleared AI + post-2024 DoD JADC2 + avionics ML), Athene USA + Sammons Financial actuarial AI, UnityPoint Health + MercyOne clinical AI, plus University of Iowa + Iowa State + Drake AI pipelines.

Staff / Principal AI Engineer (John Deere / Blue River)

$165,000–$295,000+ TC

John Deere Blue River + autonomous tractor · computer vision + precision ag AI

Senior AI Engineer (John Deere Blue River)

$135,000–$215,000+ TC

John Deere Blue River Technology + post-2024 SeeSpray · precision ag computer vision

Senior AI Engineer (Pioneer / Corteva)

$125,000–$195,000+ bonus

Pioneer Hi-Bred + Corteva Johnston · seed genomics AI + crop genetics ML

Senior AI Engineer (Principal Financial)

$125,000–$195,000+ bonus

Principal Financial · actuarial AI + retirement personalization + asset management AI

Senior AI Engineer (Cleared / Collins Aerospace)

$128,000–$198,000+ TC

Collins Aerospace Cedar Rapids · RTX cleared AI + JADC2 + avionics ML · TS/SCI

Senior AI Engineer (Workiva NLP Ames)

$118,000–$185,000+ TC

Workiva Ames · cloud financial reporting NLP + Wdesk generative AI

Senior AI Engineer (Athene / Sammons)

$115,000–$182,000+ bonus

Athene + Sammons Financial · annuity actuarial ML + life insurance AI

AI/ML Manager

$155,000–$258,000+ TC

AI lead at John Deere + Principal + Collins + Pioneer + Workiva

Mid-Level AI Engineer (3-6 yrs)

$95,000–$145,000

Functional AI IC at IA employers · transitioning to senior band

Junior AI Engineer (0-3 yrs)

$72,000–$98,000

UI + ISU + Drake + UNI AI pipeline · entry band

Worth knowing: John Deere precision agriculture AI + Blue River Technology computer vision is one of the country's distinctive concentrated US ag-tech AI anchors and a feature most national AI/ML surveys understate for IA. John Deere Blue River Technology (post-2017 John Deere $305M Blue River acquisition + the substantial Blue River See & Spray computer vision + the substantial Blue River post-2017 John Deere Sunnyvale + Mountain View CA + Champaign IL + the substantial post-2024 John Deere SeeSpray Premium fleet-scale herbicide reduction + the substantial John Deere post-2022 ExactShot precision fertilizer + the substantial John Deere autonomous tractor 8R 410 + post-2022 John Deere autonomous tillage + the substantial John Deere Operations Center AI + ~500K+ JD connected machines globally) supports substantial IA ag-AI engineering. Senior John Deere AI engineers clear $135-215K+ TC. Pioneer Hi-Bred + Corteva Agriscience Johnston (the substantial Corteva digital ag platform + Pioneer seed genomics AI + crop genetics ML + the substantial Pioneer Hi-Bred Iowa-anchored seed breeding AI) supports substantial IA ag-tech AI. Principal Financial actuarial AI + retirement personalization + Workiva Ames NLP financial reporting + Collins Aerospace cleared AI + post-2024 DoD JADC2 + Athene + Sammons actuarial ML. Senior cleared Collins AI engineers clear $128-198K+ TC with TS/SCI premium. IA flat 3.8% + IA RTW since 1947 + IA inheritance tax repealed Jan 1 2025 + IA property tax ~1.50% anchor the IA AI proposition.