Mechanical Engineers Salary in Ames, IA
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA
Median annual salary
$103,020
+0.7% vs national
Median hourly
$49.53
10th percentile
$68,540
90th percentile
$132,650
Employed locally
160
National median
$102,320
Compare Mechanical Engineers salary & buying power
Type a city below to see how Ames, IA stacks up on salary and cost of living.
Mechanical Engineers
inAmes, IA
vsSalary percentile breakdown
Ames economic context
Unemployment rate
2.40%
2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
Median household income
$71,090
2023 • Census ACS
Mechanical Engineers salary vs area income
145%
Median Mechanical Engineers salary is 45% above the area median household income
Frequently asked questions
How much do Mechanical Engineers make per hour in Ames?
The median hourly wage for Mechanical Engineers in Ames, IA is $49.53, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $65.91 or more per hour.
Is Ames above or below average for Mechanical Engineers salaries?
The median Mechanical Engineers salary in Ames, IA is 0.7% above the national median of $102,320. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.
What is the entry-level salary for Mechanical Engineers in Ames?
Entry-level Mechanical Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $68,540 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $83,880.