Mechanical Engineer salary in Iowa
Mechanical Engineers in Iowa earn a median of $97,700 a year ($46.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,470 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,540 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $104,110. Iowa ranks 42nd of 51 states for mechanical engineers pay. There are 2.2 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $99,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,050 | $34.16 |
| 25th percentile | $79,770 | $38.35 |
| Median | $97,700 | $46.97 |
| 75th percentile | $108,580 | $52.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,540 | $66.13 |
| Average (mean) | $99,230 | $47.71 |
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 | $8,141.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,070.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,757.69 |
| Weekly | $1,878.85 |
| Hourly | $46.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Engineer salary in cities in Iowa
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $97,690 | $46.96 |
| Civil Engineer | $96,430 | $46.36 |
| Electrical Engineer | $105,820 | $50.87 |
| 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 17-2141. 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 Iowa?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in Iowa is $97,700 a year, or $46.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in Iowa earn at least $137,540 a year. The top 25% earn $108,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,050 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $79,770 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Iowa?
About 3,470 mechanical engineers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.