Ames engineer salary
EstimateUpdated March 2025
What engineers earn in the Ames, IA metro, with a full breakdown by role.
Typical pay
$111,306
Ames
Top earners
$150,230
Higher end
vs national
-8% vs national
U.S. $120,395
State
IA
Iowa
Engineers in the Ames, IA metro earn an estimated $111,306, -8% vs national, with top earners near $150,230. See the full breakdown by role below, or estimate your own total compensation — the number sharpens as local engineers contribute.
Engineering pay by role in Ames
Estimated pay for each discipline in Ames. Filter the list or open a role for the full picture.
| Engineering role | Pay band (10th–90th) | Median | 90th pct | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager Architecture & Engineering | $136,380 | $178,510 | Verified | ||
| Software Engineer Software & Technology | $127,040 | $180,560 | Verified | ||
| Data Engineer Emerging | $127,040 | $180,560 | Estimate | ||
| AI Engineer Emerging | $127,040 | $180,560 | Estimate | ||
| Machine Learning Engineer Emerging | $127,040 | $180,560 | Estimate | ||
| Cloud Engineer Emerging | $127,040 | $180,560 | Estimate | ||
| DevOps Engineer Emerging | $127,040 | $180,560 | Estimate | ||
| Electrical Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $106,450 | $146,040 | Verified | ||
| Mechanical Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $103,020 | $132,650 | Verified | ||
| Industrial Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $101,380 | $143,260 | Verified | ||
| Civil Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $101,290 | $123,100 | Verified | ||
| Systems Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $100,400 | $133,030 | Estimate | ||
| Robotics Engineer Emerging | $100,400 | $133,030 | Estimate | ||
| Entry-Level Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $100,400 | $133,030 | Estimate | ||
| Senior Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $100,400 | $133,030 | Estimate |
- Verified
Engineering Manager
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$136,380
90th
$178,510
View details - Verified
Software Engineer
Software & Technology
Median
$127,040
90th
$180,560
View details - Estimate
Data Engineer
Emerging
Median
$127,040
90th
$180,560
View details - Estimate
AI Engineer
Emerging
Median
$127,040
90th
$180,560
View details - Estimate
Machine Learning Engineer
Emerging
Median
$127,040
90th
$180,560
View details - Estimate
Cloud Engineer
Emerging
Median
$127,040
90th
$180,560
View details - Estimate
DevOps Engineer
Emerging
Median
$127,040
90th
$180,560
View details - Verified
Electrical Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$106,450
90th
$146,040
View details - Verified
Mechanical Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$103,020
90th
$132,650
View details - Verified
Industrial Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$101,380
90th
$143,260
View details - Verified
Civil Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$101,290
90th
$123,100
View details - Estimate
Systems Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$100,400
90th
$133,030
View details - Estimate
Robotics Engineer
Emerging
Median
$100,400
90th
$133,030
View details - Estimate
Entry-Level Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$100,400
90th
$133,030
View details - Estimate
Senior Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$100,400
90th
$133,030
View details
What affects engineering pay in Ames
- ▹Local market. Ames pay runs -8% vs national for the typical engineer, usually above the Iowa statewide estimate.
- ▹Industry concentration.A metro's dominant employers (tech, defense, energy, healthcare) shift which engineering disciplines command a premium locally.
- ▹Experience & specialization. Seniority and in-demand skills swing pay well beyond the metro median — see the role table above and the calculator.
- ▹Remote work.Remote offers may anchor to a company's HQ market rather than Ames, raising or lowering local pay.
Other Iowa metros
Engineer salaries in Ames — FAQ
How much do engineers make in Ames?
What is the highest-paying engineering role in Ames?
How does engineering pay in Ames compare to the national average?
Source details
BLS publishes no single "engineer" occupation. This blends the published medians of 6 engineering occupations in Ames, IA, weighted by local employment (1,170 jobs).
Benchmarks come from published government wage data via BLS OEWS. Local and emerging-role figures are labeled estimates. Full methodology →