Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Salary
The median pay for a mechanical engineering technologists and technicians in Iowa is $71,670/year ($34.46/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $125K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.86), which stretches that salary to about $80,655 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,064/month, or 22.6% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Iowa. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $72K get you in Iowa?
About mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
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What this looks like in Iowa
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians pay in Iowa tracks closely to the national median, $72K locally vs. $75K nationwide, a 4% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,064/month, 23.2% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.86 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Iowa
Entry-level mechanical engineering technologists and technicians (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $72K. Top earners bring in $125K or more, a $73K spread from bottom to top.
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians salary by metro in Iowa
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $105K | +47% | 110 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $82K | +15% | 200 |
| Dubuque | $81K | +13% | 60 |
| Cedar Rapids | $75K | +5% | 30 |
Compare to other states
Track mechanical engineering technologists and technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Iowa numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a mechanical engineering technologists and technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in Iowa?
Yes — at the median salary of $72K, rent takes 23.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,064/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians in Iowa?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new mechanical engineering technologists and technicians typically earn — is $52K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,146/month. At HUD’s $1,064/month FMR, rent would take 34% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is mechanical engineering technologists and technician a high-paying job in Iowa?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $72K locally vs. $75K nationally, a 4% difference.
How does Iowa compare to the national average for mechanical engineering technologists and technicians?
Iowa pays $72K median vs. the U.S. average of $75K — that’s -4%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.86), the purchasing-power equivalent is $81K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do mechanical engineering technologists and technicians make in Iowa?
The median is $71,670 a year, that works out to about $34 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,430, and experienced mechanical engineering technologists and technicians can clear $125,300. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $72K enough to live in Iowa?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,596/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,064/month, which eats 23.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a mechanical engineering technologists and technicians salary go in Iowa?
Iowa has a Regional Price Parity of 88.86 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median mechanical engineering technologists and technicians salary is worth about $80,655 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do mechanical engineering technologists and technicians get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.