Waterloo engineer salary
EstimateUpdated March 2025
What engineers earn in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro, with a full breakdown by role.
Typical pay
$103,108
Waterloo
Top earners
$148,326
Higher end
vs national
-14% vs national
U.S. $120,395
State
IA
Iowa
Engineers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro earn an estimated $103,108, -14% vs national, with top earners near $148,326. 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 Waterloo
Estimated pay for each discipline in Waterloo. 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 | $128,340 | $170,960 | Verified | ||
| Industrial Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $109,520 | $128,720 | Verified | ||
| Materials Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $109,120 | $109,180 | Verified | ||
| Software Engineer Software & Technology | $102,510 | $165,590 | Verified | ||
| Data Engineer Emerging | $102,510 | $165,590 | Estimate | ||
| AI Engineer Emerging | $102,510 | $165,590 | Estimate | ||
| Machine Learning Engineer Emerging | $102,510 | $165,590 | Estimate | ||
| Cloud Engineer Emerging | $102,510 | $165,590 | Estimate | ||
| DevOps Engineer Emerging | $102,510 | $165,590 | Estimate | ||
| Mechanical Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $97,570 | $172,750 | Verified | ||
| Civil Engineer Architecture & Engineering | $94,690 | $121,040 | Verified |
- Verified
Engineering Manager
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$128,340
90th
$170,960
View details - Verified
Industrial Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$109,520
90th
$128,720
View details - Verified
Materials Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$109,120
90th
$109,180
View details - Verified
Software Engineer
Software & Technology
Median
$102,510
90th
$165,590
View details - Estimate
Data Engineer
Emerging
Median
$102,510
90th
$165,590
View details - Estimate
AI Engineer
Emerging
Median
$102,510
90th
$165,590
View details - Estimate
Machine Learning Engineer
Emerging
Median
$102,510
90th
$165,590
View details - Estimate
Cloud Engineer
Emerging
Median
$102,510
90th
$165,590
View details - Estimate
DevOps Engineer
Emerging
Median
$102,510
90th
$165,590
View details - Verified
Mechanical Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$97,570
90th
$172,750
View details - Verified
Civil Engineer
Architecture & Engineering
Median
$94,690
90th
$121,040
View details
What affects engineering pay in Waterloo
- ▹Local market. Waterloo pay runs -14% 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 Waterloo, raising or lowering local pay.
Other Iowa metros
Engineer salaries in Waterloo — FAQ
How much do engineers make in Waterloo?
What is the highest-paying engineering role in Waterloo?
How does engineering pay in Waterloo compare to the national average?
Source details
BLS publishes no single "engineer" occupation. This blends the published medians of 5 engineering occupations in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA, weighted by local employment (1,070 jobs).
Benchmarks come from published government wage data via BLS OEWS. Local and emerging-role figures are labeled estimates. Full methodology →