Mechanical Engineer Salary in Iowa: $92K Median

The average Mechanical Engineer salary in Iowa is $91,549 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $59,800 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $140,760 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.

Mechanical Engineers in Iowa earn approximately 8% less than the US national median ($99,510 nationally vs $91,549 in Iowa). Iowa's cost-of-living index of 90 amplifies the real purchasing power.

Yes — Mechanical Engineer salaries in Iowa grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $16,061 in 2025 to $91,549 in 2026. This reflects the broader Engineering sector's wage growth, driven by EV design and Robotics demand.

Iowa has no major metros in our database — fallback to the closest tracked city for detailed breakdowns.

Mechanical engineering employment growing 11% through 2034. Strong demand in EV, aerospace, and renewable energy sectors. Iowa's top industries include Agriculture, Insurance, Manufacturing, and the state's unemployment rate is 3% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.

Yes, Iowa has state income tax. This affects take-home pay — at $91,549, expect 4-7% effective state tax depending on filing status. See city pages for detailed take-home calculations.

Hottest 2026 skills: EV design, Robotics, Additive manufacturing, AI in CAD, Sustainability engineering. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Iowa employers.

With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus. Beyond base, negotiate: PE license exam fees, study materials, review courses, Relocation package and temporary housing, Project-completion or milestone bonuses, Per-diem for site travel and field work. Walk-away anchor for Iowa: $81,740.