Mechanical Engineer salary in Ames, IA
Mechanical Engineers in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $98,610 a year ($47.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $70,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,090 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 1% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $97,700. There are 2.1 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $97,670, close to the median.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,830 | $34.06 |
| 25th percentile | $82,440 | $39.64 |
| Median | $98,610 | $47.41 |
| 75th percentile | $106,080 | $51.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,090 | $65.91 |
| Average (mean) | $97,670 | $46.96 |
Half of mechanical 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 | $8,217.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,108.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,792.69 |
| Weekly | $1,896.35 |
| Hourly | $47.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $104,320 | 930 |
| Iowa City, IA | $96,190 | 60 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $95,250 | 70 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $93,180 | 490 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $88,770 | 190 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $85,490 | 390 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $84,630 | 350 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $157,710 |
| District of Columbia | $133,300 |
| California | $130,900 |
| Delaware | $125,130 |
| Colorado | $124,430 |
| Alaska | $124,340 |
| Maryland | $122,870 |
| Louisiana | $119,540 |
| Massachusetts | $119,300 |
| Wyoming | $117,750 |
See Mechanical 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 |
| 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 17-2141. 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 mechanical engineer make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Ames, IA metro area is $98,610 a year, or $47.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $70,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $137,090 a year. The top 25% earn $106,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,830 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $82,440 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Ames, IA?
About 120 mechanical engineers are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.