Mechanical Engineer salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Mechanical Engineers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $88,770 a year ($42.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,560 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 9% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $97,700. There are 2.3 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $95,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,750 | $31.61 |
| 25th percentile | $78,360 | $37.68 |
| Median | $88,770 | $42.68 |
| 75th percentile | $112,090 | $53.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,560 | $62.77 |
| Average (mean) | $95,720 | $46.02 |
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 | $7,397.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,698.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,414.23 |
| Weekly | $1,707.12 |
| Hourly | $42.68 |
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 |
| 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $92,330 | $44.39 |
| Civil Engineer | $97,430 | $46.84 |
| Engineers, All Other | $96,440 | $46.37 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $93,620 | $45.01 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $69,320 | $33.33 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $81,930 | $39.39 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $88,770 a year, or $42.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $130,560 a year. The top 25% earn $112,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,750 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $78,360 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 190 mechanical engineers are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.