State comparison · 2025
Mechanical Engineers salary: Iowa vs New Mexico
Mechanical Engineers in New Mexico earn a median of $157,710. In Iowa, $97,700. After cost-of-living, the gap is 34.9% — not 38.1%.
Nominal pay gap
-38.1%
Iowa vs New Mexico
COL-adjusted gap
-34.9%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
Iowa
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $97,700
- p25
- $79,770
- p75
- $108,580
- p10
- $71,050
- p90
- $137,540
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 87.8
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -71%
New Mexico
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $157,710
- p25
- $128,080
- p75
- $162,880
- p10
- $103,780
- p90
- $203,140
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 92.2
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -87%
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.