SOC 17-2141 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mechanical Engineers — Waterloo
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA · 6 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Waterloo, IA is $88,770 a year, trailing the national median of $104,110 by 14.7%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Waterloo, IA is $88,770 a year, trailing the national median of $104,110 by 14.7%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $78,360 and $112,090. The lowest tenth earn under $65,750, while the highest tenth earn more than $130,560.
The area has 190 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 2.3 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Davenport records the highest median at $104,320. Of the 309 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 42nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $65,750 | −36.8% |
| 25th | $78,360 | −24.7% |
| Median (50th) | $88,770 | −14.7% |
| 75th | $112,090 | +7.7% |
| 90th | $130,560 | +25.4% |
| Mean | $95,720 | −8.1% |
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 | Des Moines | $85,490 | 390 | |
| 6 | Cedar Rapids | $84,630 | 350 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Waterloo run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $88,770 goes as far as $101,105 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 2.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$88,770as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$101,105US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $88,770 a year, 14.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $65,750 to $130,560 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 190 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 Waterloo, IA?
The median annual wage is $88,770, or $42.68 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 Waterloo, IA is 14.7% 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 Waterloo, IA earns more than $130,560 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $65,750 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 190 jobs in this occupation in Waterloo, 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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