Technical Writing Degree in Des Moines, IA — Salary & ROI 2026
Technical Writing degree analysis for Des Moines, IA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$46K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$72K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.1 yrs
in Des Moines
Cost of Living
92
index (100 = avg)
Technical Writing in Des Moines, IA Overview
Des Moines, Iowa (pop. 214,133) has 10 colleges offering Technical Writing programs. The local cost of living index of 92 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $975/month. Technical Writing has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Documentation and API Documentation skills. The adjusted starting salary in Des Moines is approximately $46,000, growing to $71,760 by mid-career.
Category
Communications
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$8,977/yr
Private Tuition
$38,388/yr
Room & Board
$8,658/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,739/yr
Unemployment
6.9%
Graduation Rate
56%
Technical Writing Salary in Des Moines (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Des Moines's cost of living index of 92 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Technical Writing salary: $50,000 starting, $78,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Des Moines adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.
Technical Writing ROI Calculator for Des Moines
Estimate your return on investment for a Technical Writing degree using local Des Moines tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,977 | Private avg: $38,388
Des Moines avg aid: $9,739/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$70,540
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,800
vs HS diploma in Des Moines
ROI Payback Period
5.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Des Moines
$463,060
Lifetime earnings premium ($533,600) minus total education cost ($70,540)
Student Loan Payoff for Technical Writing in Des Moines
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Des Moines for Technical Writing
Drake University
private
$45,520/yr
$182,080 total
Grand View University
private
$31,256/yr
$125,024 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Des Moines Area Community College
$5,064/yr
Top Employers for Technical Writing in Des Moines
Des Moines offers opportunities in Media companies, PR agencies, Tech companies for Technical Writing graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Des Moines Hiring Sectors for Communications
Media companies
PR agencies
Tech companies
Marketing firms
Publishing
Common Technical Writing Job Titles
Technical Writing in Nearby Iowa Cities
Cedar Rapids, IA
$50K starting · COL 100
4 colleges
Davenport, IA
$40K starting · COL 79
6 colleges
Sioux City, IA
$42K starting · COL 84
2 colleges
Iowa City, IA
$48K starting · COL 95.2
3 colleges
West Des Moines, IA
$49K starting · COL 97.5
3 colleges
Ankeny, IA
$48K starting · COL 95.8
3 colleges
Waterloo, IA
$41K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Ames, IA
$44K starting · COL 87
8 colleges
Other Communications Majors in Des Moines
Technical Writing Degree in Des Moines — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Technical Writing ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Des Moines.