Electrical Engineer salary in Ames, IA
Electrical Engineers in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $103,750 a year ($49.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $69,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,300 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $120,630. Pay here is 2% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $105,820. There are 0.66 electrical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.51). The average (mean) salary is $107,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for electrical engineers in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,950 | $33.63 |
| 25th percentile | $83,160 | $39.98 |
| Median | $103,750 | $49.88 |
| 75th percentile | $127,760 | $61.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,300 | $71.78 |
| Average (mean) | $107,230 | $51.56 |
Half of electrical engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,645.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,322.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,990.38 |
| Weekly | $1,995.19 |
| Hourly | $49.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Electrical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $107,040 | 280 |
| Iowa City, IA | $107,000 | 60 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $106,840 | 170 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $104,360 | 390 |
| Dubuque, IA | $104,290 | 70 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $103,360 | 530 |
Highest-paying states for electrical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $158,520 |
| California | $144,040 |
| District of Columbia | $143,000 |
| New Hampshire | $135,710 |
| Washington | $132,710 |
| Texas | $129,450 |
| Idaho | $129,340 |
| Massachusetts | $127,720 |
| Delaware | $126,970 |
| Alaska | $125,970 |
See Electrical Engineer pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $100,200 | $48.17 |
| Industrial Engineer | $88,650 | $42.62 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $98,610 | $47.41 |
| Engineers, All Other | $95,260 | $45.80 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,210 | $38.08 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $63,620 | $30.59 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $95,750 | $46.04 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2071. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a electrical engineer make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for electrical engineers in the Ames, IA metro area is $103,750 a year, or $49.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $69,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid electrical engineers make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of electrical engineers in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $149,300 a year. The top 25% earn $127,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for electrical engineers in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $69,950 a year, and a quarter of electrical engineers earn $83,160 or less.
How many electrical engineers work in Ames, IA?
About 40 electrical engineers are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.