Iowa City engineer salary
EstimateUpdated March 2025
What engineers earn in the Iowa City, IA metro, with a full breakdown by role.
Typical pay
$98,524
Iowa City
Top earners
$151,736
Higher end
vs national
-18% vs national
U.S. $120,395
State
IA
Iowa
Engineers in the Iowa City, IA metro earn an estimated $98,524, -18% vs national, with top earners near $151,736. 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 Iowa City
Estimated pay for each discipline in Iowa City. 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 | $139,830 | $196,330 | Verified | ||
| Software Engineer Software & Technology | $104,950 | $166,930 | Verified | ||
| Data Engineer Emerging | $104,950 | $166,930 | Estimate | ||
| AI Engineer Emerging | $104,950 | $166,930 | Estimate | ||
| Machine Learning Engineer Emerging | $104,950 | $166,930 | Estimate | ||
| Cloud Engineer Emerging | $104,950 | $166,930 | Estimate | ||
| DevOps Engineer Emerging | $104,950 | $166,930 | Estimate | ||
| Electrical Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $103,990 | $138,170 | Verified | ||
| Mechanical Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $97,000 | $143,750 | Verified | ||
| Civil Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $89,730 | $134,500 | Verified | ||
| Systems Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $86,090 | $108,140 | Estimate | ||
| Robotics Engineer Emerging | $86,090 | $108,140 | Estimate | ||
| Entry-Level Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $86,090 | $108,140 | Estimate | ||
| Senior Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $86,090 | $108,140 | Estimate | ||
| Industrial Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $83,490 | $127,330 | Verified |
- Verified
Engineering Manager
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$139,830
90th
$196,330
View details - Verified
Software Engineer
Software & Technology
Median
$104,950
90th
$166,930
View details - Estimate
Data Engineer
Emerging
Median
$104,950
90th
$166,930
View details - Estimate
AI Engineer
Emerging
Median
$104,950
90th
$166,930
View details - Estimate
Machine Learning Engineer
Emerging
Median
$104,950
90th
$166,930
View details - Estimate
Cloud Engineer
Emerging
Median
$104,950
90th
$166,930
View details - Estimate
DevOps Engineer
Emerging
Median
$104,950
90th
$166,930
View details - Verified
Electrical Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$103,990
90th
$138,170
View details - Verified
Mechanical Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$97,000
90th
$143,750
View details - Verified
Civil Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$89,730
90th
$134,500
View details - Estimate
Systems Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$86,090
90th
$108,140
View details - Estimate
Robotics Engineer
Emerging
Median
$86,090
90th
$108,140
View details - Estimate
Entry-Level Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$86,090
90th
$108,140
View details - Estimate
Senior Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$86,090
90th
$108,140
View details - Verified
Industrial Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$83,490
90th
$127,330
View details
What affects engineering pay in Iowa City
- ▹Local market. Iowa City pay runs -18% 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 Iowa City, raising or lowering local pay.
Other Iowa metros
Engineer salaries in Iowa City — FAQ
How much do engineers make in Iowa City?
What is the highest-paying engineering role in Iowa City?
How does engineering pay in Iowa City compare to the national average?
Source details
BLS publishes no single "engineer" occupation. This blends the published medians of 6 engineering occupations in Iowa City, IA, weighted by local employment (1,260 jobs).
Benchmarks come from published government wage data via BLS OEWS. Local and emerging-role figures are labeled estimates. Full methodology →