How much does a mechanical engineer make in Ames?
$98,610a year
Median yearly pay for mechanical engineers in the Ames, IA metro area. That is $47.41 an hour or $8,218 a month.
- Hourly
- $47.41
- Vs. national median
- -5%
- Rank among cities
- 196 of 346
- Jobs in the area
- 120
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $70,830Median: $98,610Highest 10%: $137,100
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $70,830 | $34.05 | |
| 25th | $82,440 | $39.63 | |
| Median | $98,610 | $47.41 | |
| 75th | $106,100 | $51.00 | |
| 90th | $137,100 | $65.91 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for mechanical engineers.
| Davenport, IA | $104,300 |
| Iowa City, IA | $96,190 |
| Sioux City, IA | $95,250 |
| Omaha, NE | $93,180 |
| Waterloo, IA | $88,770 |
| Des Moines, IA | $85,490 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $84,630 |
Related jobs in Ames
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Civil Engineer | $100,200 |
| Engineer | $95,260 |
| Industrial Engineer | $88,650 |
| Civil Engineering Technologist and Technician | $79,210 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafter | $63,620 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make an hour in Ames?
The median hourly pay in the Ames, IA metro area is $47.41 ($98,610 a year).
Do mechanical engineers make more in Ames than the national average?
No: $98,610 against $104,100 nationally, 5% less.
How does Ames compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $97,700, so Ames pays 1% more.
Where does Ames rank for mechanical engineer pay?
196 of 346 metro areas with data.
How much does a mechanical engineer make starting out in Ames?
The lowest-paid 10% make $70,830 or less a year; the top 10% make $137,100 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.