Industrial Engineer salary in Ames, IA
Industrial Engineers in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $88,650 a year ($42.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,690 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $102,440. Pay here is 9% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $97,690. There are 2.4 industrial engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $94,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for industrial engineers in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,910 | $30.24 |
| 25th percentile | $79,670 | $38.30 |
| Median | $88,650 | $42.62 |
| 75th percentile | $107,220 | $51.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,690 | $63.79 |
| Average (mean) | $94,810 | $45.58 |
Half of industrial 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 | $7,387.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,693.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,409.62 |
| Weekly | $1,704.81 |
| Hourly | $42.62 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Industrial Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $109,040 | 230 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $105,660 | 130 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $104,100 | 1,190 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $101,980 | 370 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $99,570 | 330 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $98,270 | 520 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $92,330 | 120 |
| Iowa City, IA | $85,800 | 180 |
Highest-paying states for industrial engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $156,510 |
| Washington | $129,050 |
| Oregon | $128,290 |
| New Mexico | $128,090 |
| California | $124,600 |
| Hawaii | $123,800 |
| Louisiana | $122,920 |
| Wyoming | $122,070 |
| Delaware | $120,190 |
| Maryland | $119,930 |
See Industrial 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 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $98,610 | $47.41 |
| Engineers, All Other | $95,260 | $45.80 |
| Electrical Engineer | $103,750 | $49.88 |
| 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 17-2112. 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 industrial engineer make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for industrial engineers in the Ames, IA metro area is $88,650 a year, or $42.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid industrial engineers make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of industrial engineers in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $132,690 a year. The top 25% earn $107,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for industrial engineers in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,910 a year, and a quarter of industrial engineers earn $79,670 or less.
How many industrial engineers work in Ames, IA?
About 140 industrial engineers are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.