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Mechanical Engineers: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Iowa (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How does Mechanical Engineers salary grow from entry-level to senior in Iowa? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.

94% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • Iowa salary data • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$71,050
$5,921/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$97,700
$8,142/mo
Senior (P90)
$137,540
$11,462/mo

Iowa vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$71,050
National: $72,421
-1.9%
Mid-Career (Median)
$97,700
National: $105,416
-7.3%
Senior (P90)
$137,540
National: $156,351
-12.0%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Mechanical Engineers in Iowa spans from $71,050 at entry-level to $137,540 at senior level — a difference of $66,490 per year.

P10
$71K
P25
$79K
Median
$97K
P75
$108K
P90
$137K

Career Growth Premium: +94%

Senior Mechanical Engineerss in Iowa earn $66,490 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$66,490
Monthly Difference
+$5,541
Hourly Difference
+$31.97
Growth Multiple
1.9x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Mechanical Engineers salary increases with experience in Iowa, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $71,050 $5,921 $34.16
Early Career P25 $79,770 $6,648 $38.35
Mid-Career Median $97,700 $8,142 $46.97
Experienced P75 $108,580 $9,048 $52.20
Senior / Expert P90 $137,540 $11,462 $66.12
Key Insight

Mechanical Engineers in Iowa has a moderate salary progression with a 94% growth from entry-level ($71,050) to senior ($137,540). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($97,700) and P90 ($137,540) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How Iowa Compares to Other States

Where does Iowa rank for Mechanical Engineers senior-level salaries? Compare Iowa's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$203,620
Entry: $82K
+148%
2
$203,140
Entry: $103K
+96%
3
$195,190
Entry: $86K
+125%
4
$195,190
Entry: $79K
+147%
5
$181,550
Entry: $70K
+158%
6
$176,680
Entry: $79K
+122%
7
$175,210
Entry: $75K
+131%
8
$174,320
Entry: $76K
+127%
9
$170,810
Entry: $75K
+127%
10
$168,180
Entry: $65K
+155%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Mechanical Engineers?

Entry-level Mechanical Engineerss (10th percentile) earn approximately $71,050 per year, or $5,920 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $79,770. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Mechanical Engineers make?

Senior Mechanical Engineerss (90th percentile) earn approximately $137,540 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $108,580. This represents a career premium of 94% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Mechanical Engineers?

The career salary growth potential for Mechanical Engineerss is 94%. Entry-level professionals start at $71,050, while senior-level can earn up to $137,540 — a difference of $66,490 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Mechanical Engineerss?

The highest-paying state for senior Mechanical Engineerss is Iowa, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $137,540 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Mechanical Engineers salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

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About This Data

Salary percentile data for Iowa from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Iowa.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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