Design and Development Engineer Salary in Iowa

How much does a Design and Development Engineer make in Iowa? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Design and Development Engineer in Iowa is $78,311 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

However, a Design and Development Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $88,165
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $74,543 to $83,469
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $71,113

Key Factors That Influence Design and Development Engineer Salaries

A Design and Development Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Design and Development Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Design and Development Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $77,237
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $87,608
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $109,520
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $133,727
  • Expert (over 8 years): $156,652
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Design and Development Engineer less than 1 year $77,237
Product Design Engineer II 1-2 years $87,608
Product Design Engineer III 2-4 years $109,520
Product Design Engineer IV 5-8 years $133,727
Product Design Engineer V over 8 years $156,652

Top Paying Cities for Design and Development Engineer

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • West Bend: $76,313
  • Melvin: $76,090
  • Milford: $76,414

Design and Development Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Design and Development Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Design and Development Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Design and Development Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Design and Development Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet $90,058 $43.0 15%
Pharmaceuticals $87,709 $42.0 12%
Biotechnology $86,142 $41.0 10%
Energy & Utilities $84,576 $41.0 8%
Aerospace & Defense $82,227 $40.0 5%

Design and Development Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Design and Development Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$74,543
Average $78,311/year
$83,469
$6,212
Average $6,526/month
$6,956
$1,434
Average $1,506/week
$1,605
$36
Average $38/hour
$40
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $83,469 $6,956 $1,605 $40
Average $78,311 $6,526 $1,506 $38
25th Percentile $74,543 $6,212 $1,434 $36

Find Your Next Design and Development Engineer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Design and Development Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Van Meter Inc. | Cedar Rapids, IA

    Van Meter Inc. | Cedar Rapids, IA

    Job Description. Job Description. Description. Summary.  The Packaged Power Design Engineer plays a crucial role in supporting our purpose of creating last... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Rogers Freels & Associates Inc | Davenport, IA

    Rogers Freels & Associates Inc | Davenport, IA

    Job Description. Job Description. RFA Engineering. (www.rfamec.com) is an engineering service provider dedicated to delivering our clients with timely engi... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Zobility | Des Moines, IA

    Zobility | Des Moines, IA

    Job Description. Job Description. Preferred Qualifications. Experience with SolidWorks CAD software. Experience with PLM PDM/PLM systems. Experience with A... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Mestek Machinery, Inc | Cedar Rapids, IA

    Mestek Machinery, Inc | Cedar Rapids, IA

    Mestek Machinery, Inc., a leader in metal forming and fabrication equipment for the HVAC industry, seeks a Mechanical Design Engineer in Cedar Rapids, IA. ... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Adams Thermal Systems | LESTER, IA

    Adams Thermal Systems | LESTER, IA

    ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS. Demonstrates expert level of design and analysis skills. Responsible for creating/implementing customer driven designs with minima... more

    22 Days Ago

  • Adams Thermal Systems | LARCHWOOD, IA

    Adams Thermal Systems | LARCHWOOD, IA

    ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS. Demonstrates expert level of design and analysis skills. Responsible for creating/implementing customer driven designs with minima... more

    22 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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