Engineering Iowa City, IA Pop. 74,828

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Iowa City, Iowa

The median aerospace engineer salary in Iowa City, IA is $120,536 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 6.7% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$120,536
vs State Avg
+$7,613
vs National
$-6,344
Cost of Living
95%

Aerospace Engineer Pay in Iowa City: What to Expect (2026)

Iowa City offers a median aerospace engineer salary of $120,536, which is $7,613 above the Iowa state average of $112,923. Compared to the national median of $126,880, Iowa City pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Iowa City's cost of living is 95% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for aerospace engineers in Iowa City spans from $74,100 at the 10th percentile to $182,400 at the 90th percentile — a $108,300 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $76,000, while senior aerospace engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $175,750. Iowa City is a smaller market (pop. 74,828), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Iowa City by Experience

In Iowa City, an entry-level aerospace engineer earns around $76,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $175,750 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$76,000
$-4,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$121,600
$-6,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$175,750
$-9,250 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Iowa City, IA

Percentile Iowa City
10th Percentile $74,100
25th Percentile $95,000
Median (50th) $120,536
75th Percentile $152,000
90th Percentile $182,400

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Des Moines, IA
$116,730
Pop. 214,133
Cedar Rapids, IA
$111,654
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$109,117
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$106,579
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Aerospace Engineer in Iowa City

Education

Most aerospace engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Iowa City and the surrounding Iowa area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

AerodynamicsCATIA/CADStructural AnalysisMATLABPropulsion SystemsFEA

Job Outlook

Nationally, aerospace engineer employment is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Iowa City may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Aerospace Engineer Jobs in Iowa City

Browse open aerospace engineer positions in Iowa City, IA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Aerospace Engineer Salary in Iowa City

How much does a Aerospace Engineer make in Iowa City, IA? ▼
The median aerospace engineer salary in Iowa City, Iowa is $120,536 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $126,880. Salaries range from $74,100 (10th percentile) to $182,400 (90th percentile).
How much does a Aerospace Engineer make per hour in Iowa City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $120,536, a aerospace engineer in Iowa City earns approximately $58 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Iowa City compare to the Iowa state average for aerospace engineer pay? ▼
Iowa City's median aerospace engineer salary of $120,536 is 6.7% above the Iowa state average of $112,923. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Iowa City, IA? ▼
Iowa City has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a aerospace engineer salary of $120,536 in Iowa City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a aerospace engineer in Iowa City? ▼
Most aerospace engineer positions in Iowa City require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Aerodynamics, CATIA/CAD, Structural Analysis, MATLAB. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.