Mechanical Engineer salary in Cedar Rapids, IA
Mechanical Engineers in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn a median of $84,630 a year ($40.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,980 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 13% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $97,700. There are 2.5 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $94,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,070 | $32.72 |
| 25th percentile | $77,020 | $37.03 |
| Median | $84,630 | $40.69 |
| 75th percentile | $102,970 | $49.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,980 | $64.90 |
| Average (mean) | $94,860 | $45.60 |
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 | $7,052.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,526.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,255 |
| Weekly | $1,627.50 |
| Hourly | $40.69 |
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 |
| Ames, IA | $98,610 | 120 |
| 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 |
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 Cedar Rapids, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer | $104,360 | $50.17 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,570 | $47.87 |
| Civil Engineer | $95,540 | $45.94 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $161,160 | $77.48 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $90,490 | $43.51 |
| Engineers, All Other | $111,080 | $53.41 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $73,550 | $35.36 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $74,340 | $35.74 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $62,660 | $30.12 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $94,230 | $45.30 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $57,430 | $27.61 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $59,520 | $28.62 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $77,150 | $37.09 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,530 | $29.58 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Cedar Rapids, 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 Cedar Rapids, IA?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area is $84,630 a year, or $40.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn at least $134,980 a year. The top 25% earn $102,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Cedar Rapids, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,070 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $77,020 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Cedar Rapids, IA?
About 350 mechanical engineers are employed in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.