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Average Mechanical Engineers Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Mechanical Engineers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA area earn an average annual salary of $100,910. This figure is slightly below the national average of $109,640, a common occurrence in metropolitan areas that balance competitive compensation with a more accessible cost of living. Local economic factors and industry demand within the Des Moines region contribute to this specific pay scale.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $100,910 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 28.3% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $177,080.
  • Outlook: The job market for Mechanical Engineers in Des Moines-West Des Moines presents a stable outlook, supported by a local workforce of 650 professionals. With a Location Quotient of 0.86, the concentration of these roles is slightly below the national average, suggesting a steady but not overly saturated demand. The presence of 1.603 jobs per 1,000 workers indicates consistent opportunities within the region.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$100,910

The average Mechanical Engineers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA earns-8.0%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$48.5

Weekly

$1,941

Monthly

$8,409

Mechanical Engineers Salary Distribution in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Salary progression for Mechanical Engineers in Des Moines-West Des Moines is significantly influenced by experience. Entry-level positions typically start at the lower end of the pay scale, while senior engineers with extensive expertise and project management skills can command salaries considerably higher than the average. The widening gap between entry-level and senior-level salaries reflects the increasing value placed on specialized knowledge and proven track records within the field.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$59,020$28.4
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$75,683$36.4
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$88,500$42.5
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$126,138$60.6
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$177,080$85.1

Detailed Mechanical Engineers Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$100,910

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$100,910

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $100,910 in Des Moines-West Des Moines aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means that the purchasing power of a Mechanical Engineer's salary in this area is equivalent to the national standard, offering a balanced lifestyle without the premium often associated with higher cost-of-living regions.

Job Market Context

650

Total Jobs

1.603

Per 1K Jobs

0.86

Location Quotient

Below Average

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA has 0.86x the national average concentration of Mechanical Engineers jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.

A Location Quotient of 0.86 indicates that Des Moines-West Des Moines has a slightly lower concentration of Mechanical Engineers compared to the national average. This suggests that while the profession is well-established, the market is not oversaturated, potentially offering good opportunities for skilled professionals. The demand is present, but perhaps not as intense as in major engineering hubs.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Mechanical Engineers

CitySalaryDist.
Ames, IA Mechanical Engineers Salary$101,570↑ 1%31 mi
Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area Mechanical Engineers Salary$96,790↓ 4%37 mi
Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area Mechanical Engineers Salary$86,780↓ 14%37 mi
Northeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area Mechanical Engineers Salary$88,520↓ 12%37 mi
Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area Mechanical Engineers Salary$83,820↓ 17%37 mi

Comparing salaries near Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Hiring Mechanical Engineerss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Mechanical Engineers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

The median annual salary for a Mechanical Engineers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $100,910. This typically ranges from $59,020 for entry-level positions to $177,080 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is 8.0% lower than the national median of $109,640.

Is Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA a lucrative place for Mechanical Engineers?

Yes, with a balanced perspective.Mechanical Engineers in Des Moines-West Des Moines earn a competitive average salary of $100,910, which holds strong purchasing power due to a cost of living at the national average.

Is Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA a good place to live for Mechanical Engineers?

The Cost of Living Index in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

Some top paying nearby cities include Ames, IA ($101,570) and Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area.

How does the Des Moines salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for Mechanical Engineers in Des Moines-West Des Moines is $100,910, which is approximately 8% lower than the national average of $109,640.

What is the Cost of Living in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

The Cost of Living Index in Des Moines-West Des Moines is 100, which is exactly the national average, indicating that the general cost of goods and services is comparable to the rest of the country.

How many Mechanical Engineers work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

There are approximately 650 Mechanical Engineers employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA area.

Is the job market for Mechanical Engineers growing in Des Moines?

While specific growth rates aren't provided, the stable number of jobs per 1,000 workers (1.603) and a Location Quotient slightly below average suggest consistent, steady demand rather than rapid expansion.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 650 employees in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA area with a job density of 1.603 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Top Jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Semantic Salary Analysis for Mechanical Engineers • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA