BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Mechanical Engineers in Iowa

$99,230 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$47.71 per hour

▼ 12.7% below U.S. average43rd of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$99,230per year
Median$97,700per year
Hourly$47.71per hour
10th – 90th percentile$71,050 – $137,540per year

Mechanical Engineers Pay Range in Iowa

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$71,050
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$79,770
  • 50th Percentile — Median$97,700
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$108,580
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$137,540

Half of Mechanical Engineers in Iowa earn more than $97,700. The top 10% make $137,540 or more, while entry-level workers start around $71,050.

Mechanical Engineers in Iowa: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Iowa ranks 43rd of 51 states for Mechanical Engineers pay, at $99,230 per year (12.7% below the U.S. average of $113,610).
  • 3,470 people work as Mechanical Engineers in Iowa — 1.2% of all U.S. Mechanical Engineers jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.17: Mechanical Engineers jobs are more concentrated in Iowa than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $71,050; the top 10% earn over $137,540.
  • Hourly equivalent: $47.71 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is New Mexico at $152,430.
  • Among engineering jobs in Iowa, Computer Hardware Engineers pays the most ($137,120).

Mechanical Engineers Job Market in Iowa

Key factors affecting compensation

Iowa's key industries are Agriculture, Manufacturing, Finance, and its job market is rated moderate. Mechanical Engineers here earn $99,230 on average, placing the state 43rd nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.86 (U.S. = 1.00), a Iowa salary of $99,230 is roughly equivalent to $115,384 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Missouri ($101,340), Ohio ($101,320), West Virginia ($101,310) are the closest alternatives for Mechanical Engineers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Mechanical Engineers salary in Iowa?

The average Mechanical Engineers salary in Iowa is $99,230 per year (median $97,700), which is 12.7% below the national average of $113,610.

How does Iowa rank for Mechanical Engineers pay?

Iowa ranks 43rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is New Mexico ($152,430/yr).

How much do entry-level Mechanical Engineers make in Iowa?

The lowest-paid 10% of Mechanical Engineers in Iowa earn about $71,050 per year and the 25th percentile is $79,770.

How much do Mechanical Engineers make per hour in Iowa?

About $47.71 per hour, based on the $99,230 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Mechanical Engineers work in Iowa?

BLS counts 3,470 Mechanical Engineers jobs in Iowa (OEWS May 2025).

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