Iowa ranks 36th of 51 states and D.C. for mechanical engineers pay, trailing top-paying New Mexico ($141,490) by $43,920 — a 45% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $64,900 to $133,850 — a $68,950 spread, 25% tighter than the national $92,500 range.
Mechanical Engineers are more concentrated in Iowa than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 1.46 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.46× the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $64,900 | $31.20 |
| 25th percentile | $78,610 | $37.80 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $97,570 | $46.91 |
| 75th percentile | $108,800 | $52.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,850 | $64.35 |
| Mean (average) | $99,070 | $47.63 |
How Iowa Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa (current) | $97,570 | n/a |
| New Mexico | $141,490 | +45% |
| District of Columbia | $130,000 | +33% |
| Alaska | $129,990 | +33% |
| California | $126,370 | +30% |
| Massachusetts | $122,670 | +26% |
| Wyoming | $116,910 | +20% |
| Rhode Island | $115,270 | +18% |
| Louisiana | $114,050 | +17% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Iowa
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Database Administrators | $97,690 | 380 |
| Facilities Managers | $97,720 | 1,920 |
| Data Scientists | $97,980 | 2,330 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $98,580 | 760 |
| Construction Managers | $96,300 | 2,200 |
| Financial Risk Specialists | $98,910 | 370 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Mechanical Engineers salary in Iowa?
The mean mechanical engineers salary in Iowa is $99,070 per year. The median (middle) salary is $97,570 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Mechanical Engineers in Iowa?
Entry-level mechanical engineerss (10th percentile) in Iowa typically earn around $64,900 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $78,610 per year.
What is the highest Mechanical Engineers salary in Iowa?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Iowa make approximately $133,850 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $108,800 per year.
How does the Iowa Mechanical Engineers salary compare to the national average?
The median mechanical engineers salary in Iowa is $97,570, which is -5% below national average of $102,320.