Electrical Engineer salary in Iowa
Electrical Engineers in Iowa earn a median of $105,820 a year ($50.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,280 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,460 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $120,630. Iowa ranks 34th of 49 states for electrical engineers pay. There are 0.82 electrical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $113,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for electrical engineers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,720 | $36.88 |
| 25th percentile | $93,980 | $45.18 |
| Median | $105,820 | $50.87 |
| 75th percentile | $127,530 | $61.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $155,460 | $74.74 |
| Average (mean) | $113,330 | $54.48 |
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 | $8,818.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,409.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,070 |
| Weekly | $2,035 |
| Hourly | $50.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Electrical Engineer salary in cities in Iowa
| 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 |
| Ames, IA | $103,750 | 40 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $97,690 | $46.96 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $97,700 | $46.97 |
| Civil Engineer | $96,430 | $46.36 |
| Engineers, All Other | $103,090 | $49.56 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $106,350 | $51.13 |
| Materials Engineer | $64,270 | $30.90 |
| Environmental Engineer | $94,830 | $45.59 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $125,120 | $60.15 |
| Agricultural Engineer | $96,290 | $46.29 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $81,710 | $39.28 |
| Chemical Engineer | $117,590 | $56.54 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,540 | $34.88 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $64,220 | $30.87 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for electrical engineers in Iowa is $105,820 a year, or $50.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid electrical engineers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of electrical engineers in Iowa earn at least $155,460 a year. The top 25% earn $127,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for electrical engineers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,720 a year, and a quarter of electrical engineers earn $93,980 or less.
How many electrical engineers work in Iowa?
About 1,280 electrical engineers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.