Mechanical Engineers, Des Moines
$85,490
BLS OEWS median annual wage in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA. Middle half of wages roughly $79,130 to $105,930.
BLS OEWS median, May 2025, as of May 15, 2026. BEA Regional Price Parity 2024. Disclaimer
- vs US median
- −17.9%
- US median
- $104,110
- Metro RPP
- 91.7
- Middle half
- $79,130 to $105,930
- OEWS employment
- 390
- SOC
- 17-2141
Mechanical Engineers in Des Moines pay a median $85,490 (May 2025), 17.9% below the US median of $104,110. At local prices (RPP 91.7), that median buys about what $93,228 buys at US-average prices.
Purchasing power
$85,490 in Des Moines buys about what $93,228 buys at US-average prices (BEA RPP 91.7, 2024). Housing (rents) RPP is 84.7 vs all-items 91.7 (US = 100, 2024).
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See current openings for Mechanical Engineers in Des Moines.
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Mechanical Engineers in nearby metros
| Metro | Median | Middle half | RPP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | $85,490 | $79,130 to $105,930 | 91.7 |
| Birmingham | $98,810 | $77,310 to $126,000 | 91.6 |
| San Francisco | $161,370 | $128,330 to $183,990 | 115.6 |
| Tulsa | $107,440 | $85,210 to $129,220 | 89.2 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 where published for the CBSA.
FAQ
- What is the median salary for Mechanical Engineers in Des Moines?
- According to BLS OEWS May 2025, the median annual wage for Mechanical Engineers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $85,490.
- How does Des Moines pay compare to the US median for Mechanical Engineers?
- Local median pay is 17.9% below the national OEWS median of $104,110.
- How does cost of living change what that wage buys?
- BEA RPP for Des Moines is 91.7 (US = 100, 2024). The local median of $85,490 has about the same purchasing power as $93,228 at US-average prices.
- How current is this data?
- Wages are BLS OEWS May 2025. Price levels use BEA Regional Price Parities for 2024. See methodology for source details.
What this covers
Includes
- BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, goods, housing rents, other services)
- BLS OEWS median wages, percentile bands, and employment where published
- Purchasing-power math: salary × (destination RPP ÷ origin RPP)
Does not include
- Federal, state, or local income taxes
- Childcare, healthcare premiums, or leave benefits
- Job openings. OEWS employment is a published stock estimate, not hiring demand
Median wages are published BLS OEWS metro estimates; price levels use BEA Regional Price Parities. See methodology and disclaimer.