Material Engineers Salary in Iowa (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Materials Engineers in Iowa, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa Median
$64,270
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.90
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-43% vs US median
US median $112,860
State Rank
#45 of 45
200 employed here

How much does a Material Engineers make in Iowa?

A Material Engineers working in Iowa earns a median salary of $64,270 per year, or about $30.90 per hour. That is 43% below the national median of $112,860 for this occupation.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $62,390 while the top 10% make $115,140 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,390 and $98,730 a year.

Material Engineers salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$62,390$30.00
25th percentile (early career)$62,390$30.00
50th percentile (median)$64,270$30.90
75th percentile (experienced)$98,730$47.47
90th percentile (top earners)$115,140$55.36

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 45th out of 45 states and territories for Material Engineers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New Mexico$165,600
2Maryland$140,640
3Washington$139,840
4Delaware$131,320
5Louisiana$128,670

Working as a Material Engineers in Iowa

Nationally, about 23,000 people work as Materials Engineers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($64,270) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Material Engineers make in Iowa?
The median Material Engineers salary in Iowa is $64,270 per year, or about $30.90 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $62,390 at the entry level to $115,140 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Materials Engineers about 43% less than the national median of $112,860. Iowa ranks 45th out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Materials Engineers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $64,270 a year. About 200 Materials Engineers are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Material Engineers salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.