Mechanical Engineer Salary in Council Bluffs, IA: $94,671 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Council Bluffs, IA earns a median $94,671/year (≈ $45.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Council Bluffs's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $104,725 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $94,671 for mechanical engineers in Council Bluffs, Iowa, local professionals can expect a competitive compensation landscape. Salaries in this field range from $67,312 at the lower end (P10) to $146,740 at the top (P90), reflecting variations in experience, industry focus, and individual qualifications. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, suggest that achieving a Professional Engineer (PE) license can enhance earning potential significantly, especially within HVAC and building systems, which are in steady demand. Consequently, professionals looking to advance their careers in Council Bluffs should consider cultivating their skill sets and credentials to improve their market positioning.
About the Council Bluffs Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,312 | $32.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,107 | $36.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,671 | $45.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,179 | $58.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $146,740 | $70.55 |
Median Salary Position
11.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Council Bluffs
In Council Bluffs, IA, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,428 (2026 est.). At $94,671, the local median is 11.65% below the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Council Bluffs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Council Bluffs Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Council Bluffs median: $94,671/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Council Bluffs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $98,003 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $107,150 | -11.65% less |
Mechanical Engineers in Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $94,671 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.65% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $98,003.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Council Bluffs has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Council Bluffs, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A mechanical engineer earning $94,671 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,725 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,131
2025 BLS Actual
$91,985
2026 Current Est.
$94,671
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,131 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $84,201 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,093 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,921 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,317 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,985 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,671 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,435 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Council Bluffs metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 17.7% from $78,131 (2019) to $91,985 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,435 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,304 (24.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Council Bluffs 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 2.92% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $67,312 – $76,107 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,107 – $94,671 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,671 – $121,179 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,179 – $146,740 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Council Bluffs
In Council Bluffs, the job market for mechanical engineers stands relatively stable, with approximately 12 individuals currently employed in this role. The area's cost of living index of 90.4 indicates that while salaries may be slightly below the national average, the purchasing power for residents remains favorable. Among local employers, aerospace and defense firms like SpaceX and Boeing often lead in compensation, largely due to the premium associated with security clearance and equity packages. Conversely, industries such as automotive, particularly with companies like Tesla and Rivian, also offer competitive pay, but generally do not match the lucrative returns found in aerospace. Those pursuing mechanical engineer pay in Council Bluffs, IA, should aim to engage in sectors that promise higher wage ceilings, consider pursuing a PE license, and facilitate career growth through management roles or specialized technical positions to maximize their earnings effectively.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Amina Patel, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has 10 years of experience in mechanical engineering. She specializes in thermal analysis and works in the automotive industry.
Methodology & Data Source
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $91,985 for mechanical engineersin the Council Bluffs metropolitan area. A 2.92% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Council Bluffs is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.92%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for mechanical engineers (SOC 17-2141).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, PE, a licensed mechanical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov