BLS May 2025
Mechanic Salary in Iowa
Iowa holds 26th place of 50 for mechanic pay, between the top and the bottom. For automotive service technicians and mechanics (SOC 49-3023), the Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2025 median is $50,510 a year, level with the national median of $50,620, and 7,610 wage and salary jobs sit behind it. Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL and Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA sit 26 percent apart, $47,880 compared with $60,470.
By Trevor Rupe, Contributor at Savo Media Group
At a Glance
- 26th of 50 states on median pay for automotive service technicians and mechanics (SOC 49-3023), $50,510 against $50,620 nationally.
- $69,890 for aircraft mechanics, 38 percent ahead of automotive technicians.
- $36,100 to $77,400 from the 10th to the 90th percentile, 46th widest of 50.
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA Pays 26 Percent More Than Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL
BLS prices 9 metropolitan areas in Iowa. The three largest are Omaha, NE-IA at $54,230, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA at $60,470 and Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL at $47,880, together 5,100 jobs; the biggest of them is $3,720 ahead of the $50,510 figure for Iowa.
A 26 percent gap divides the state: Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA at $60,470 against Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL at $47,880 (areas with 500 or more jobs).
Rural pay sits below the state median of $50,510: 4 nonmetropolitan areas, 2,660 jobs, $47,560 to $48,740.
3 of the 9 areas, led by Omaha, NE-IA, extend into NE and carry one figure for the whole area.
| Area | Median | Against Iowa | 10th to 90th percentile | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $54,230 | +$3,720 | $37,760 to $80,600 | 2,250 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $60,470 | +$9,960 | $36,900 to $78,570 | 1,870 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $47,880 | -$2,630 | $34,840 to $79,750 | 980 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $49,890 | -$620 | $36,250 to $74,250 | 650 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $48,720 | -$1,790 | $35,630 to $74,070 | 430 |
| Iowa City, IA | $49,960 | -$550 | $36,470 to $77,400 | 360 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $54,230 | +$3,720 | $36,980 to $75,420 | 330 |
| Dubuque, IA | $61,030 | +$10,520 | $37,600 to $77,770 | 290 |
| Ames, IA | $58,820 | +$8,310 | $37,490 to $84,840 | 260 |
| Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $48,490 | -$2,020 | $31,200 to $74,390 | 990 |
| Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $48,740 | -$1,770 | $35,500 to $71,590 | 690 |
| Northeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $47,560 | -$2,950 | $35,560 to $70,760 | 600 |
| Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $47,700 | -$2,810 | $35,390 to $72,160 | 380 |
Only $41,300 Separates Low and High Mechanic Salary in Iowa
The pay floor of $36,100 runs $1,440 above the nation, while the ceiling of $77,400 runs $4,390 below the nation. $41,300 across the pay scale trails the national spread by $5,830. Iowa ranks 42nd of 50 states at the 90th percentile.
| Measure | Iowa | United States | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,100 | $34,660 | +$1,440 |
| 25th percentile | $39,340 | $38,900 | +$440 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $50,510 | $50,620 | -$110 |
| 75th percentile | $67,200 | $70,430 | -$3,230 |
| 90th percentile | $77,400 | $81,790 | -$4,390 |
| Mean | $55,310 | $56,420 | -$1,110 |
| Wage and salary jobs | 7,610 | 704,640 |
The 25th and 75th percentiles are $39,340 and $67,200, +$440 at the bottom edge and -$3,230 at the top on the national middle half.
At $55,310, the mean is pulled $4,800 over the median by a few high earners.
The $36,100 at the 10th percentile says where the bottom tenth ends, not what a beginner is paid.
12 Ranked Mechanic Programs in Iowa
9 schools supply 12 ranked programs (8 automotive, 1 diesel and 3 aviation maintenance); Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, IA scores best, 64.1 in automotive.
Eastern Iowa Community College District in Davenport, IA is the least expensive of 12 priced programs at $4,848 per year, in-state; Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, IA is the most, at $6,930 annually, in-state.
2 ranked programs are in Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL, where the median is $47,880.
- Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IA, automotive, score 64.1, #42 of 415
- Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny, IA, automotive, score 60.7, #82 of 415
- Hawkeye Community College Waterloo, IA, automotive, score 57.9, #110 of 415
- North Iowa Area Community College Mason City, IA, automotive, score 57.6, #114 of 415
- Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IA, aviation maintenance, score 54.9, #65 of 148
- Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs, IA, aviation maintenance, score 50.4, #87 of 148
- Eastern Iowa Community College District Davenport, IA, automotive, score 50.0, #227 of 415
- Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar, IA, automotive, score 49.1, #240 of 415
- Eastern Iowa Community College District Davenport, IA, diesel, score 44.8, #65 of 76
- Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa, IA, automotive, score 44.1, #324 of 415
- Southeastern Community College West Burlington, IA, automotive, score 40.7, #364 of 415
- Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa, IA, aviation maintenance, score 34.1, #141 of 148
Best Mechanic Schools in Iowa scores all 12 programs by one method
Aircraft Mechanics Lead Trade Pay by $19,380 in Iowa
Trade choice changes pay by 38 percent here: aircraft mechanics at $69,890 against $50,510 for automotive technicians, with heavy equipment mechanics next at $64,290.
| Trade | Iowa median | U.S. median | Rank of 50 | Jobs | Best metro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanic | $69,890 | $79,870 | 41st | 330 | |
| Heavy Equipment Mechanic | $64,290 | $65,510 | 27th | 2,820 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL, $68,210 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $59,680 | $61,770 | 32nd | 4,140 | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, $61,630 |
| Auto Mechanic | $50,510 | $50,620 | 26th | 7,610 | Dubuque, IA, $61,030 |
| Collision Repair Technician | $49,400 | $54,890 | 36th | 1,830 | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, $58,210 |
Aircraft mechanics ($69,890, -$9,980), diesel mechanics ($59,680, -$2,090) and collision repair technicians ($49,400, -$5,490) make less than their counterparts nationwide.
Level with the nation: heavy equipment mechanics ($64,290, -$1,220).
Aircraft mechanics place 41st among 50 states at $69,890, the trade that trails other states most.
7,610 Mechanic Jobs in Iowa at the National Density
Technician employment here is 4.9 per 1,000 jobs, tracking the nation; the location quotient is 1.08. On concentration it ranks 26th of 50 states.
The most concentrated trade is heavy equipment mechanics (1.59, 2,820 jobs), and aircraft mechanics the least at 0.24. They are far more common here than nationally.
Iowa Between Nebraska and Tennessee on Mechanic Pay
Nebraska sits closest, $50 higher at $50,560; after that comes Tennessee at $50,290, a gap of $220.
21 other states fall within $2,500 of $50,510; 6 are inside $1,000. Rank changes fast in this stretch.
Questions About Mechanic Salary in Iowa
What is the average mechanic salary in Iowa?
The median is $50,510 annually, $24.28 an hour, level with the nation. The 10th percentile is $36,100 and the 90th $77,400.
Which part of Iowa pays mechanics the most?
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, at $60,470 annually across 1,870 jobs, against $50,510 for the whole state and $47,880 in Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL.
Which mechanic school in Iowa ranks highest?
Kirkwood Community College (Cedar Rapids, IA) leads: at 64.1 out of 100 among 12 ranked programs.
The figures here are the Bureau of Labor Statistics median for wage and salary workers, so the mechanic salary in Iowa for any one job depends on the employer, the metro area and the trade.
Sources for Mechanic Salary in Iowa
- BLS OEWS, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics May 2025, read October 23, 2026.
- BLS OEWS technical notes Wage and salary workers only.