Difference From U.S. Median
-$9,980
Median Hourly Wage
$33.60
Aircraft Mechanics Employed
330
Median Pay Rank Among States
41st of 50
Source: BLS OEWS
Iowa's aircraft mechanic workforce is small, just 330 workers, 0.2% of the U.S. total and the 42nd-largest state headcount in the occupation. The aircraft mechanic salary in Iowa comes to a median of $69,890 a year, or $33.60 an hour, per BLS OEWS data for May 2025.
Pay skews wide at the bottom of that range. The tenth percentile in Iowa is just $33,740 a year, well below the national tenth percentile of $48,780, while Iowa's median itself sits $9,980 under the U.S. median of $79,870.
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Iowa by Percentile
| Percentile | Iowa | United States | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,740 | $48,780 | -$15,040 |
| 25th percentile | $43,720 | $62,630 | -$18,910 |
| Median (50th) | $69,890 | $79,870 | -$9,980 |
| 75th percentile | $80,510 | $99,130 | -$18,620 |
| 90th percentile | $93,130 | $128,890 | -$35,760 |
| Mean (average) | $63,880 | $84,740 | -$20,860 |
Rank among states: 41st of 50. All 50 states compared
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Iowa by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Employed | Median Salary | Hourly Median | Location Quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE | 130 | $67,350 | $32.38 | 0.30 |
| Des Moines | 130 | $59,100 | $28.42 | 0.37 |
Avionics Technician and Related Aviation Pay in Iowa
| Occupation | Employed | Iowa Median | U.S. Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | 330 | $69,890 | $79,870 |
| Transportation inspectors | 60 | $116,850 | $92,100 |
Iowa Aircraft Mechanic Job Outlook, 2024 to 2034
| Occupation | 2024 Jobs | 2034 Jobs | Change | Openings per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | 390 | 420 | +8% | 30 |
| Avionics technicians | 80 | 90 | +12.7% | 10 |
A Wide Gap at the Bottom
The tenth percentile of aircraft mechanic pay in Iowa is just $33,740 a year, well under the national tenth percentile of $48,780. The median comes to $69,890, and the top tenth reaches $93,130, a wide spread across a small workforce of 330.
Iowa Trails Most of Its Neighbors
Iowa's median trails five of its six bordering states: Minnesota pays $81,980, Illinois $81,680, South Dakota $75,750, Wisconsin $73,930, and Missouri $71,470. Only Nebraska, at $64,020, pays less, putting Iowa $5,870 ahead of that single neighbor.
Military and MRO Work in Des Moines
The 132nd Wing of the Iowa Air National Guard maintains aircraft at Des Moines Air National Guard Base, co-located with Des Moines International Airport. Elliott Aviation runs an MRO facility on the airport's north side, part of a Des Moines metro that employs 130 mechanics at a $59,100 median.
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Iowa vs. Neighboring States
Aviation Maintenance Schools in Iowa
FAA-approved schools in Iowa: 5. Compare Iowa programs
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Aircraft Mechanic Salary in Iowa?
What Is the Pay Range for Aircraft Mechanics in Iowa?
How Does Iowa's Pay Compare With Its Neighbors?
What Military Unit Maintains Aircraft in Iowa?
Sources
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: national, state, metropolitan area, and industry estimates
- Projections Central, State Occupational Employment Projections 2024-2034
- FAA AV-Info Part 147 school records
All sources retrieved .