How much does a Mechanical Engineer make in Iowa?

BLS puts the average Mechanical Engineer pay in Iowa at $99,230 a year (BLS, May 2025). On that pay in Iowa, after federal taxes, FICA, and Iowa state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $75,519 annually ($6,293/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Mechanical Engineer in Iowa?

On a $99,230 salary in Iowa, your take-home pay is approximately $75,519/year or $6,293/month. Federal tax: $13,001. State tax: $3,119. FICA: $7,591.

Is $99,230 a good Mechanical Engineer salary?

$99,230 is the BLS average Mechanical Engineer pay in Iowa, 13% below the US average of $113,610 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 50% in Iowa earn between $79,770 and $108,580.

How do Iowa taxes affect Mechanical Engineer salaries?

Iowa levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $99,230 is $3,119. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 23.9%.

What are the career growth prospects for Mechanical Engineers?

In Iowa, the top 10% earn over $137,540 and the bottom 10% under $71,050 (BLS, May 2025). 10% growth through 2032 (faster than average); EV/aerospace/defense subspecialties growing faster, manufacturing slower. Related roles include: Aerospace Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Design Engineer, Thermal Engineer, Test Engineer, Project Engineer, Principal Mechanical Engineer, PE Mechanical.

How can a Mechanical Engineer in Iowa reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Engineering

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Iowa (2026)

Average Mechanical Engineer pay in Iowa

$99,230/year

≈ $48/hour before tax

Middle 50% earn $79,770–$108,580

US average: $113,610

Source: BLS, May 2025

After tax (single filer)

$75,519/year

$6,293/month · effective tax rate 23.89%

Federal $13,001
State $3,119
FICA $7,591
Take-home

Pay by role in Iowa

Senior / Principal ME / Senior / Principal ME (any industry)BLS · 75th–90th percentile$108,580–$137,540
Engineering ManagerBLS · middle 50%$127,540–$170,280
Mechanical Engineer (any industry)BLS · middle 50%$79,770–$108,580
EIT / Entry-Level MEBLS · 10th–25th percentile$71,050–$79,770

See the full tax breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$75,519
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$6,293
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$2,905
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$36/hr
Federal Tax	$13,001
State Tax	$3,119
FICA Taxes	$7,591
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	23.89%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Not all Mechanical Engineers earn the same — not even close

Iowa's mechanical engineering market is anchored by John Deere Iowa (Waterloo Engine Works + Foundry + Tractor Cab Assembly ~10K + Davenport Works + Dubuque Works construction equipment + Ankeny Des Moines Works + Cedar Falls + the substantial John Deere ag equipment + autonomous tractor + ~30K+ John Deere Iowa workforce + the substantial John Deere precision ag), Vermeer Corporation Pella (substantial private equipment manufacturer + the substantial Vermeer drilling + chipping + agricultural equipment + the substantial Vermeer-Caterpillar competition), Pella Corporation Pella (substantial private window + door manufacturer), HNI Corporation Muscatine (Fortune 1000 office furniture ~$2B), Winnebago Industries Forest City (substantial RV manufacturer ~$3B + post-2017 Winnebago Grand Design + Newmar acquisitions), Collins Aerospace Cedar Rapids (RTX cleared mechanical), Quaker Oats Cedar Rapids (PepsiCo + the substantial Cedar Rapids Quaker + post-2008 + 2016 floods), plus Iowa State + UI + UNI + Drake Engineering pipelines.

Senior / Principal ME / Senior / Principal ME (any industry)

$108,580–$137,540

John Deere Waterloo + Davenport + Dubuque · ag equipment ME + autonomous tractor design

Source: BLS May 2025 · Mechanical Engineers · Iowa · 75th–90th percentile

Engineering Manager

$127,540–$170,280

ME team lead at John Deere + Vermeer + Pella + HNI + Winnebago + Collins

Source: BLS May 2025 · Architectural and Engineering Managers · Iowa · middle 50%

Mechanical Engineer (any industry)

$79,770–$108,580

Functional ME at IA major employers · transitioning to senior band

Source: BLS May 2025 · Mechanical Engineers · Iowa · middle 50%

EIT / Entry-Level ME

$71,050–$79,770

ISU + UI + UNI + Drake Engineering pipeline · entry band

Source: BLS May 2025 · Mechanical Engineers · Iowa · 10th–25th percentile

Worth knowing: John Deere Iowa ag equipment manufacturing concentration is one of the country's distinctive concentrated US single-state ag-equipment ME anchor and a feature most national ME surveys understate for IA. John Deere Iowa (Waterloo Engine Works + Foundry + Tractor Cab Assembly ~10K + Davenport Works + Dubuque Works construction equipment + Ankeny Des Moines Works + Cedar Falls + ~30K+ John Deere Iowa workforce + the substantial John Deere ag equipment ME + autonomous tractor mechanical design + the substantial John Deere precision ag + the substantial John Deere capital equipment release cadence + the substantial post-2024 John Deere capacity adjustments at Davenport + Dubuque + Ankeny + the substantial John Deere UAW Local 838 Waterloo + UAW Local 281 Davenport + UAW Local 94 Dubuque collective bargaining) supports substantial IA ag-equipment ME. Senior John Deere MEs clear $108-165K+ TC. Vermeer Pella (substantial private + the substantial Vermeer Drilling + chipping + ag equipment + the substantial Vermeer post-2018 Vermeer plant fire recovery + Vermeer Industrial Solutions) + Pella Corporation + HNI Muscatine office furniture + Winnebago RV + Collins Aerospace Cedar Rapids cleared aerospace + Quaker Oats Cedar Rapids + Tyson + JBS + Cargill IA food manufacturing supports broad IA ME. IA flat 3.8% + IA RTW since 1947 + IA inheritance tax repealed Jan 1 2025 anchor the IA ME proposition.

Sources & Methodology

Salary figures are market estimates for Mechanical Engineers in Iowa and vary by employer, specialty, seniority, and metro. Take-home math assumes a single filer with no dependents, the standard deduction, and Iowa 2026 state rates. Local taxes, insurance premiums, and pre-tax contributions will move your number — run the calculator for your own situation.

Run your own numbers