Mechanical Engineer salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Mechanical Engineers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $85,490 a year ($41.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 390 workers.
Pay ranges from $70,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,600 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 12% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $97,700. There are 0.95 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.50). The average (mean) salary is $96,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,770 | $34.03 |
| 25th percentile | $79,130 | $38.04 |
| Median | $85,490 | $41.10 |
| 75th percentile | $105,930 | $50.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,600 | $64.23 |
| Average (mean) | $96,830 | $46.55 |
Half of mechanical engineers 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 | $7,124.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,562.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,288.08 |
| Weekly | $1,644.04 |
| Hourly | $41.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $85,490 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Mechanical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $104,320 | 930 |
| Ames, IA | $98,610 | 120 |
| Iowa City, IA | $96,190 | 60 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $95,250 | 70 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $93,180 | 490 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $88,770 | 190 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $84,630 | 350 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $157,710 |
| District of Columbia | $133,300 |
| California | $130,900 |
| Delaware | $125,130 |
| Colorado | $124,430 |
| Alaska | $124,340 |
| Maryland | $122,870 |
| Louisiana | $119,540 |
| Massachusetts | $119,300 |
| Wyoming | $117,750 |
See Mechanical Engineer pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $97,330 | $46.79 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,270 | $47.25 |
| Electrical Engineer | $107,040 | $51.46 |
| Engineers, All Other | $100,880 | $48.50 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Environmental Engineer | $94,800 | $45.58 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $99,480 | $47.83 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $72,470 | $34.84 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $64,240 | $30.89 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $97,460 | $46.85 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $76,440 | $36.75 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $75,510 | $36.30 |
| Surveyor | $78,860 | $37.91 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $60,040 | $28.87 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2141. 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 mechanical engineer make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $85,490 a year, or $41.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $70,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $133,600 a year. The top 25% earn $105,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,770 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $79,130 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 390 mechanical engineers are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.