SOC 49-9041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Industrial Machinery Mechanics — Iowa City
Iowa City, IA · 7 metro areas compared
The median wage for Industrial Machinery Mechanics in Iowa City, IA is $63,490 per year, close to the national median of $64,520 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Industrial Machinery Mechanics in Iowa City, IA is $63,490 per year, close to the national median of $64,520 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $56,630 and $72,530. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $46,810 and the ninetieth at $88,990.
The area has 110 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.1 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Waterloo records the highest median at $77,850. Of the 296 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 121st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,810 | −27.4% |
| 25th | $56,630 | −12.2% |
| Median (50th) | $63,490 | −1.6% |
| 75th | $72,530 | +12.4% |
| 90th | $88,990 | +37.9% |
| Mean | $65,930 | +2.2% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waterloo | $77,850 | 510 | |
| 2 | Cedar Rapids | $73,800 | 530 | |
| 3 | Davenport | $72,790 | 750 | |
| 4 | Sioux City | $68,940 | 350 | |
| 5 | Ames | $67,250 | 150 | |
| 6 | Dubuque | $65,480 | 160 | |
| 7 | Des Moines | $63,590 | 750 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Iowa City run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $63,490 goes as far as $72,312 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 12.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$63,490as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$72,312US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $63,490 a year, 1.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $46,810 to $88,990 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 110 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Waterloo, at $77,850.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Industrial Machinery Mechanics in Iowa City, IA?
The median annual wage is $63,490, or $30.52 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $64,520, so pay in Iowa City, IA is 1.6% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Iowa City, IA earns more than $88,990 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $46,810 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Waterloo, at $77,850 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 110 jobs in this occupation in Iowa City, IA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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