Mechanical Engineers Salary in Waterloo, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

Median annual salary $97,570 -4.6% vs national
Median hourly $46.91
10th percentile $62,100
90th percentile $172,750
Employed locally 290
National median $102,320

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Mechanical Engineers
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Waterloo, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $62,100
    25th
    $76,740
    50th (median)
    $97,570
    75th
    $128,530
    90th
    $172,750

    Waterloo economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,916 2023 • Census ACS
    Mechanical Engineers salary vs area income 142% Median Mechanical Engineers salary is 42% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Mechanical Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area $181,480
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $147,730
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $145,640
    New Mexico $141,490
    Salinas, CA $141,420
    Baton Rouge, LA $132,850

    Nearby metros — Mechanical Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $130,000
    California $126,370
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $122,760
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $121,060
    Northeast Virginia nonmetropolitan area $120,790
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $116,340

    Related occupations in Waterloo, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Industrial Engineers $109,520
    Civil Engineers $94,690
    Materials Engineers $109,120
    Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians $59,230
    Engineers, All Other $96,440
    Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians $67,350

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Mechanical Engineers make per hour in Waterloo?

    The median hourly wage for Mechanical Engineers in Waterloo, IA is $46.91, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $62.77 or more per hour.

    Is Waterloo above or below average for Mechanical Engineers salaries?

    The median Mechanical Engineers salary in Waterloo, IA is 4.6% below 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 Waterloo?

    Entry-level Mechanical Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $62,100 per year in Waterloo, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $76,740.