SOC 17-2141 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mechanical Engineers — Southeast Iowa
Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area · 7 metro areas compared
The median wage for Mechanical Engineers in Southeast Iowa, IA is $96,540 per year, close to the national median of $104,110 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Mechanical Engineers in Southeast Iowa, IA is $96,540 per year, close to the national median of $104,110 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $79,390 and $107,400. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $69,220 and the ninetieth at $129,110.
The area has 650 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 3.2 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Davenport records the highest median at $104,320. Of the 420 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 40th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $69,220 | −33.5% |
| 25th | $79,390 | −23.7% |
| Median (50th) | $96,540 | −7.3% |
| 75th | $107,400 | +3.2% |
| 90th | $129,110 | +24.0% |
| Mean | $96,760 | −7.1% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Davenport | $104,320 | 930 | |
| 2 | Ames | $98,610 | 120 | |
| 3 | Iowa City | $96,190 | 60 | |
| 4 | Sioux City | $95,250 | 70 | |
| 5 | Waterloo | $88,770 | 190 | |
| 6 | Des Moines | $85,490 | 390 | |
| 7 | Cedar Rapids | $84,630 | 350 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southeast Iowa run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $96,540 goes as far as $109,954 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$96,540as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$109,954US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $96,540 a year, 7.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $69,220 to $129,110 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 650 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Davenport, at $104,320.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mechanical Engineers in Southeast Iowa, IA?
The median annual wage is $96,540, or $46.41 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 $104,110, so pay in Southeast Iowa, IA is 7.3% 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 Southeast Iowa, IA earns more than $129,110 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $69,220 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 Davenport, at $104,320 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 650 jobs in this occupation in Southeast Iowa, 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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