Engineering Iowa City, IA Pop. 74,828

Marine Engineer Salary in Iowa City, Iowa

The median marine engineer salary in Iowa City, IA is $92,065 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 6.7% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$92,065
vs State Avg
+$5,815
vs National
$-4,845
Cost of Living
95%

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

Iowa City offers a median marine engineer salary of $92,065, which is $5,815 above the Iowa state average of $86,250. Compared to the national median of $96,910, 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 marine engineers in Iowa City spans from $55,100 at the 10th percentile to $144,400 at the 90th percentile — a $89,300 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $58,900, while senior marine engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $137,750. Iowa City is a smaller market (pop. 74,828), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Marine Engineer Salary in Iowa City by Experience

In Iowa City, an entry-level marine engineer earns around $58,900, while experienced professionals earn up to $137,750 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$58,900
$-3,100 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$93,100
$-4,900 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$137,750
$-7,250 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Iowa City, IA

Percentile Iowa City
10th Percentile $55,100
25th Percentile $72,200
Median (50th) $92,065
75th Percentile $117,800
90th Percentile $144,400

Marine Engineer Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Des Moines, IA
$89,157
Pop. 214,133
Cedar Rapids, IA
$85,281
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$83,343
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$81,404
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Marine Engineer in Iowa City

Education

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

Key Skills

Naval ArchitectureMarine SystemsCADPropulsionMaritime LawProject Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, marine engineer employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Iowa City may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Marine Engineer Jobs in Iowa City

Browse open marine engineer positions in Iowa City, IA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Marine Engineer Salary in Iowa City

How much does a Marine Engineer make in Iowa City, IA? ▼
The median marine engineer salary in Iowa City, Iowa is $92,065 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $96,910. Salaries range from $55,100 (10th percentile) to $144,400 (90th percentile).
How much does a Marine Engineer make per hour in Iowa City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $92,065, a marine engineer in Iowa City earns approximately $44 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Iowa City compare to the Iowa state average for marine engineer pay? ▼
Iowa City's median marine engineer salary of $92,065 is 6.7% above the Iowa state average of $86,250. 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 marine engineer salary of $92,065 in Iowa City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a marine engineer in Iowa City? ▼
Most marine engineer positions in Iowa City require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Naval Architecture, Marine Systems, CAD, Propulsion. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.