Electrical Engineer Salary in Iowa: $108,993 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median electrical engineer pay sits at $108,993/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 17-2071. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $120,567 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Des Moines ($107,040), Iowa City ($107,000), Davenport ($106,840).
In Iowa, the average median salary for electrical engineers in 2026 is projected to be $108,993, which is approximately 12.8% lower than the national median of $125,033. Salaries vary across the state, with Des Moines offering the highest average at $110,947, while Fort Dodge presents the lowest at $100,471, creating a salary gap of $10,476. This difference can be attributed to various factors including the cost of living, demand for engineering roles in urban areas, and local economic conditions. Iowa has specific state licensing requirements for electrical engineers, which include passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam followed by the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam after gaining requisite experience. The state's growth rate for electrical engineering jobs is projected at 3.65% annually, indicating a steady demand driven by infrastructure projects, renewable energy initiatives, and technological advancements. Currently, 1,168 electrical engineers are employed across the state, with the top five cities, including Iowa City at $110,906 and Davenport at $110,740, reflecting a consistent earning potential for professionals in this field. The job market appears stable, offering opportunities for those willing to enter or advance within the electrical engineering sector.
Iowa Electrical Engineer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $66,261 (lowest entry-level) to $212,099 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa electrical engineers earn 12.83% less than the national median ($-16,040/year difference).
Iowa Electrical Engineer Salary Distribution (2026)
Electrical Engineer salaries in Iowa range from $79,510 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $162,889 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $108,993. The Iowa median is $16,040 below the US national median of $125,033. The average hourly rate is $52.40/hr. Approximately 1,168 electrical engineers are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$94,288
2025 BLS Actual
$105,155
2026 Current Est.
$108,993
2019–2027 Growth
+19.8%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Iowa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,288 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,762 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,093 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,713 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,369 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,706 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,155 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,993 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,972 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 11.5% from $94,288 (2019) to $105,155 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,972 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,684 (19.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.65% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Iowa
Lowest Paying Cities in Iowa
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fort Dodge | $100,471 |
| Johnston | $101,590 |
| Ottumwa | $101,838 |
| Muscatine | $102,225 |
| Clinton | $102,710 |
Best Value Cities for Electrical Engineers in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for electrical engineers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport | $110,740 | 89.079 | $124,317 |
| Dubuque | $108,097 | 87.328 | $123,783 |
| Sioux City | $110,245 | 90.4 | $121,952 |
| Cedar Rapids | $108,169 | 88.963 | $121,589 |
| Iowa City | $110,906 | 91.509 | $121,197 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $79,510 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $108,993 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $162,889 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Iowa metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | $110,947 |
| 2 | Iowa City | $110,906 |
| 3 | Davenport | $110,740 |
| 4 | Sioux City | $110,245 |
| 5 | West Des Moines | $109,513 |
| 6 | Cedar Falls | $108,434 |
| 7 | Cedar Rapids | $108,169 |
| 8 | Dubuque | $108,097 |
| 9 | Marion | $107,627 |
| 10 | Ames | $107,537 |
| 11 | Waterloo | $106,526 |
| 12 | Ankeny | $106,371 |
| 13 | Council Bluffs | $105,703 |
| 14 | Burlington | $105,097 |
| 15 | Waukee | $104,719 |
| 16 | Urbandale | $104,579 |
| 17 | Bettendorf | $104,569 |
| 18 | Marshalltown | $104,247 |
| 19 | Coralville | $104,109 |
| 20 | Mason City | $103,627 |
| 21 | North Liberty | $103,221 |
| 22 | Clinton | $102,710 |
| 23 | Muscatine | $102,225 |
| 24 | Ottumwa | $101,838 |
| 25 | Johnston | $101,590 |
| 26 | Fort Dodge | $100,471 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore electrical engineer hourly pay in Iowa cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced electrical engineers.
Explore More Electrical Engineer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in Iowa in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for electrical engineers in Iowa?
How does Iowa electrical engineer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level electrical engineer salary in Iowa?
How many electrical engineers are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for electrical engineers?
Written by Amina Patel, MEng, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has over 10 years of experience in power systems engineering. She works at a utility company specializing in renewable energy integration.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 electrical engineer compensation across Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more electrical engineerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.65%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electrical engineers (SOC 17-2071).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov