How much does a Mechanical Engineer make in Iowa?

The average Mechanical Engineer salary in Iowa is around $130,000 per year. After federal taxes, FICA, and Iowa state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $95,793 annually ($7,983/month).

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

On a $130,000 salary in Iowa, your take-home pay is approximately $95,793/year or $7,983/month. Federal tax: $19,934. State tax: $4,328. FICA: $0.00.

Is $130,000 a good Mechanical Engineer salary?

$130,000 is a strong salary for a Mechanical Engineer — above the national median. In Iowa, demand for this role is active.

How do Iowa taxes affect Mechanical Engineer salaries?

Iowa levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $130,000 is $4,328. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 26.3%.

What are the career growth prospects for Mechanical Engineers?

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)

The average Mechanical Engineer in Iowa earns around $130,000/year. After taxes, your estimated take-home is $95,793/year ($7,983/month).

Take-Home Pay Breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$95,793
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$7,983
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$3,684
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$46/hr
Federal Tax	$19,934
State Tax	$4,328
FICA Taxes	$9,945
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	26.31%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Want to model 401(k), HSA, or pre-tax contributions against your full salary? Open the salary calculator →

Key terms:·

Mechanical Engineer Salary Ranges in Iowa

Entry Level (0–3 yrs)

$85,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Mid Level (3–7 yrs)

$130,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Senior Level (7+ yrs)

$250,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

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 ME (John Deere Waterloo Engine Works)

$108,000–$165,000+ TC

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

Senior ME (Vermeer Pella)

$98,000–$148,000+ bonus

Vermeer Pella · drilling + chipping + ag equipment ME · the substantial private

Senior ME (Pella Corporation)

$92,000–$138,000+ bonus

Pella Corp Pella · window + door manufacturing ME

Senior ME (HNI Muscatine)

$95,000–$142,000+ bonus

HNI Corporation Muscatine · office furniture + hearth ME

Senior ME (Winnebago Forest City)

$92,000–$142,000+ bonus

Winnebago Industries · RV manufacturing ME · post-2017 Grand Design + Newmar

Senior ME (Cleared / Collins Aerospace)

$108,000–$165,000+ TC

Collins Cedar Rapids RTX · cleared avionics + ISR mechanical · TS/SCI premium

Senior ME (Quaker Oats / Food Manufacturing)

$88,000–$132,000+ bonus

Quaker Oats Cedar Rapids PepsiCo + Tyson + JBS + Cargill IA food processing

ME Manager

$125,000–$195,000+ TC

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

Mid-Level ME (3-6 yrs)

$68,000–$108,000

Functional ME at IA major employers · transitioning to senior band

Junior ME (0-3 yrs)

$58,000–$82,000

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

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.