Industrial Machinery Mechanic salary in Ames, IA
Industrial Machinery Mechanics in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $67,250 a year ($32.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,050 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $64,520. Pay here is 4% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $64,400. There are 2.7 industrial machinery mechanics per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $68,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for industrial machinery mechanics in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,390 | $23.75 |
| 25th percentile | $60,190 | $28.94 |
| Median | $67,250 | $32.33 |
| 75th percentile | $79,180 | $38.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,050 | $41.37 |
| Average (mean) | $68,690 | $33.02 |
Half of industrial machinery mechanics earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,604.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,802.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,586.54 |
| Weekly | $1,293.27 |
| Hourly | $32.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $67,250 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Industrial Machinery Mechanic salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $77,850 | 510 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $73,800 | 530 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $72,790 | 750 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $68,940 | 350 |
| Dubuque, IA | $65,480 | 160 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $65,320 | 1,190 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $63,590 | 750 |
| Iowa City, IA | $63,490 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for industrial machinery mechanics
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $87,670 |
| Wyoming | $78,320 |
| Nevada | $77,750 |
| Alaska | $77,390 |
| Hawaii | $77,330 |
| Washington | $77,220 |
| Illinois | $76,200 |
| Oregon | $75,670 |
| Colorado | $75,600 |
| Arizona | $74,790 |
See Industrial Machinery Mechanic pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | $60,430 | $29.05 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other | $54,950 | $26.42 |
| Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door | $83,010 | $39.91 |
| Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $100,170 | $48.16 |
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | $58,820 | $28.28 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | $79,080 | $38.02 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists | $61,360 | $29.50 |
| Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians | $63,490 | $30.52 |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | $64,940 | $31.22 |
| Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers | $65,470 | $31.48 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairers | $58,790 | $28.26 |
More: Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 49-9041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a industrial machinery mechanic make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for industrial machinery mechanics in the Ames, IA metro area is $67,250 a year, or $32.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid industrial machinery mechanics make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of industrial machinery mechanics in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $86,050 a year. The top 25% earn $79,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for industrial machinery mechanics in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,390 a year, and a quarter of industrial machinery mechanics earn $60,190 or less.
How many industrial machinery mechanics work in Ames, IA?
About 150 industrial machinery mechanics are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.