1

Data Engineer Salary Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Data Engineer

Urbandale, IA · On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

Data Engineer As a Data Engineer, you will enable engineers, analysts, and data scientists to more ... Salary Range: $80,000-$120,000/year: Commensurate with experience About RFA Engineering RFA ...

In data engineering at PwC, you will focus on designing and building data infrastructure and ... Job Posting End Date The salary range for this position is: $124,000 - $280,000. Actual ...

... data structures, algorithms, object-oriented software design, functional programming, and cloud ... The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills ...

... Data Engineer / Azure Solutions Architect - Google Professional Data Engineer - DAMA CDMP ... The salary range for this position is: $99,000 - $232,000. Actual compensation within the range ...

... Engineer / Data Analyst / ML Travel Requirements Up to 80% Job Posting End Date The salary range for this position is: $99,000 - $232,000. Actual compensation within the range will be dependent upon ...

Industry/Sector Not Applicable Specialism Data, Analytics & AI Management Level Manager & Summary ... The salary range for this position is: $99,000 - $232,000. Actual compensation within the range ...

Industry/Sector Not Applicable Specialism Data, Analytics & AI Management Level Director & Summary ... Job Posting End Date The salary range for this position is: $155,000 - $410,000. Actual ...

... data engineering - Designing advanced analytics solutions and AI/ML models - Supporting business development efforts Travel Requirements Up to 80% Job Posting End Date The salary range for this ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Data Engineer Salary information

What is the average salary of a data engineer?

The average salary of a Data Engineer varies depending on experience, location, and industry, but in the United States, it typically ranges from $90,000 to $140,000 per year. Entry-level positions may start around $80,000, while experienced data engineers or those in tech hubs like San Francisco or New York can earn upwards of $150,000 or more. Factors such as certifications, advanced degrees, and specialized skills in big data technologies can also influence salary.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a data engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Data Engineer, you need strong proficiency in data modeling, ETL (extract, transform, load) processes, and programming languages like Python or Java, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with database systems (SQL/NoSQL), cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), and data pipeline tools (Apache Spark, Kafka) is typically required, with certifications in these areas being advantageous. Analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams and troubleshooting complex data issues. These skills ensure reliable data infrastructure, support business intelligence, and enable scalable data-driven decision-making.

What are some common challenges data engineers face when working with large-scale data systems?

Data Engineers often encounter challenges related to the scalability and reliability of data pipelines, especially as data volume and variety increase. Ensuring data quality, minimizing downtime, and managing evolving data schemas are frequent hurdles. Additionally, collaborating with data scientists and analysts to understand their requirements and deliver timely, usable datasets can be complex. Staying updated with rapidly changing technologies and best practices is also essential for long-term success in this role.

What is the difference between Data Engineer Salary vs Data Scientist Salary?

AspectData Engineer SalaryData Scientist Salary
Required CredentialsBachelor's in CS, Engineering, or related field; experience with SQL, Python, ETL toolsBachelor's or higher in CS, Statistics, or related; proficiency in Python, R, machine learning
Work EnvironmentData pipelines, database management, cloud platformsData analysis, modeling, predictive analytics
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, finance, healthcare, retailTech firms, research institutions, finance, marketing

While both roles require strong technical skills and familiarity with data tools, Data Engineers focus on building and maintaining data infrastructure, earning a median salary typically slightly lower than Data Scientists, who analyze data to generate insights and predictive models. Salary differences depend on experience, location, and industry.

Do data engineers make good money?

Data engineers typically earn competitive salaries due to their specialized skills in designing and maintaining data pipelines, working with tools like SQL, Python, and cloud platforms. Salaries vary based on experience, location, and industry, but they are generally above average compared to many other tech roles.

What are popular job titles related to Data Engineer Salary jobs in Iowa?

For Data Engineer Salary jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Data Engineer Salary jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Data Engineer Salary job openings:

Infographic showing various Data Engineer Salary job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% Remote job distribution.

Data Engineer

Urbandale, IA • On-site

RFA Engineering
Engineering Professional Services • 201 - 500 employees

$80K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 24 days ago


Job description

RFA Engineering (www.rfamec.com) supports industry-leading clients through the full software development lifecycle to build cutting-edge precision agriculture, machine guidance, vehicle automation and autonomy applications. We are seeking passionate, talented engineers to work on exciting projects using the latest tools and technologies including robotics, computer-vision, machine learning, IoT, cloud computing, and much more. Collaborate with a team of industry experts onsite at our client's world-class engineering center and contribute to developing innovative solutions that drive sustainable agriculture practices.
This is a full-time position with a full benefit package listed below that includes opportunities for professional growth, direct hire by our customers, and additional opportunities within our own organization.
Data Engineer
As a Data Engineer, you will enable engineers, analysts, and data scientists to more effectively access, explore, and leverage enterprise data to generate insights, build models, and make data-driven decisions. This role focuses on designing scalable cloud-based data solutions, developing high-quality datasets, and creating data products that empower individual contributors to work independently with complex, high-volume data.
A key component of this role involves collaborating with embedded and digital engineering teams to define, capture, and analyze system performance, UI, and health metrics. You will help translate raw signals into actionable insights through analytics, dashboards, and monitoring tools.
Responsibilities
  • Design, build, and maintain cloud-based data pipelines and data products that support analytics, machine learning, and exploratory data analysis
  • Enable self-service data access by developing well-structured, documented, and discoverable datasets for individual contributors
  • Partner with embedded and digital engineering teams to define required performance, UI, and system health metrics and ensure appropriate data capture
  • Perform analytics and data aggregation to translate raw signals into meaningful insights and visualizations
  • Develop and maintain production-ready Python code and data workflows using SQL, PySpark, Databricks, and related technologies
  • Manage and optimize storage of diverse data types, including images, raster data, parquet files, time-series data, geo-tagged data, text, and other unstructured data
  • Build dashboards and interactive data applications using tools such as Tableau, Plotly Dash, or similar web-based visualization frameworks
  • Develop alerting and monitoring solutions (e.g., automated email notifications) to identify system performance issues or data pipeline failures
  • Collaborate in code reviews, documentation, and best-practice development to ensure maintainable and reproducible solutions
  • Manage multiple projects, priorities, and milestones while maintaining a strong sense of ownership and accountability

Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent professional experience
  • Demonstrated experience designing and implementing cloud-based data solutions in production environments
  • Strong proficiency in Python for data engineering and analytics applications
  • Experience working with data access and processing technologies such as SQL, PySpark, Databricks, Postgres, and MongoDB
  • Experience building and maintaining datasets at scale across multiple data formats and structures
  • Familiarity with vehicle or embedded system data, including CAN signals
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to lead meetings, clearly document work, communicate proof-of-concepts, and collaborate across teams

Desired Attributes
  • Experience developing dashboards and visual analytics solutions using tools such as Tableau, Plotly, or similar platforms
  • Familiarity with spatial data and visualization tools such as Folium or Plotly
  • Experience implementing system monitoring, alerting, and health-tracking solutions
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to debug complex data and system issues
  • Ability to work effectively in a self-directed environment with minimal oversight
  • Proven ability to manage multiple schedules, deliverables, and stakeholders simultaneously
  • Knowledge of off-highway, agricultural, construction, or industrial equipment data systems is a plus

Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this position.
Salary Range: $80,000-$120,000/year: Commensurate with experience
About RFA Engineering
RFA Engineering has provided product development and engineering services to industry leading customers since 1943. Our primary focus is the development of off highway equipment including agricultural, construction, mining, recreational, industrial, and special machines. Our work includes concept development, product design, documentation, problem-solving, simulation, optimization, and testing of components, systems and complete machines. Our engineering staff is located at our Engineering Center in Minneapolis, branch office in Dubuque, IA, and at numerous customer sites throughout the U.S.
Competitive Benefits
  • Health and Dental Insurance
  • TelaDoc Healthiest You
  • Supplemental Vision Insurance
  • Company Paid Life Insurance
  • Company Paid Long-Term Disability
  • Short-term Disability
  • Retirement Savings Account (Traditional 401k & Roth 401k)
  • Flexible Spending Plan Dependent Care
  • HSA for Medical Expenses
  • Bonus Plan (Exempt Employees Only)
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Paid Holidays
  • Bereavement Leave
  • Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
  • Education Assistance

Equal Opportunity and Veteran Friendly
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.