Mechanical Engineer salary in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
Mechanical Engineers in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area earn a median of $95,250 a year ($45.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,300 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 3% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $97,700. There are 0.91 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.48). The average (mean) salary is $98,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,100 | $36.11 |
| 25th percentile | $79,100 | $38.03 |
| Median | $95,250 | $45.80 |
| 75th percentile | $106,880 | $51.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $140,300 | $67.45 |
| Average (mean) | $98,140 | $47.18 |
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 | $7,937.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,968.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,663.46 |
| Weekly | $1,831.73 |
| Hourly | $45.80 |
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 |
| Lincoln, NE | $100,360 | 160 |
| Ames, IA | $98,610 | 120 |
| Iowa City, IA | $96,190 | 60 |
| Rapid City, SD | $94,180 | 140 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $93,180 | 490 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $88,770 | 190 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $85,740 | 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 Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $105,660 | $50.80 |
| Civil Engineer | $88,460 | $42.53 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $61,630 | $29.63 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $68,440 | $32.90 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $53,630 | $25.79 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
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 Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area is $95,250 a year, or $45.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area earn at least $140,300 a year. The top 25% earn $106,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,100 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $79,100 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?
About 70 mechanical engineers are employed in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.