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Automotive Engineers Salary in Ames, IA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Automotive Engineers in Ames, IA have a median annual salary of $98,610, with 120 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $70,830 at the 10th percentile to $137,090 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$98,610

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$47.41

Employment

120

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$70,830
10th
$82,440
25th
$98,610
Median
$106,080
75th
$137,090
90th

Local compared with national

Ames, IA

$98,610

Median annual · 2025

United States

$104,110

Median annual · 2025

The Ames, IA median is 5.3% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $5,500).

Top skills

  1. 1.Critical ThinkingImportance 4.1
  2. 2.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 4.1
  3. 3.Reading ComprehensionImportance 4.0
  4. 4.WritingImportance 3.9
  5. 5.SpeakingImportance 3.9
  6. 6.MathematicsImportance 3.9
  7. 7.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.9
  8. 8.Active ListeningImportance 3.8
  9. 9.Operations AnalysisImportance 3.8
  10. 10.Systems AnalysisImportance 3.8
  11. 11.Systems EvaluationImportance 3.8
  12. 12.CoordinationImportance 3.5

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
None
Job zone
4

Technology used

  • Gamma Technologies GT-SUITE
  • Git
  • GNU Image Manipulation Program GIMP
  • Hardware-in-the-loop HIL simulation software
  • IBM Notes
  • International Material Data System IMDS
  • IronCAD
  • JavaScript
  • JavaScript Object Notation JSON
  • Jenkins CI
  • JUnit
  • Linux
  • LMS Imagine.Lab AMESim
  • Magellan Firmware
  • MAHLE Powertrain

Common tasks

  • Conduct or direct system-level automotive testing.
  • Provide technical direction to other engineers or engineering support personnel.
  • Perform failure, variation, or root cause analyses.
  • Calibrate vehicle systems, including control algorithms or other software systems.
  • Design or analyze automobile systems in areas such as aerodynamics, alternate fuels, ergonomics, hybrid power, brakes, transmissions, steering, calibration, safety, or diagnostics.
  • Prepare or present technical or project status reports.
  • Conduct research studies to develop new concepts in the field of automotive engineering.
  • Establish production or quality control standards.
  • Alter or modify designs to obtain specified functional or operational performance.
  • Research or implement green automotive technologies involving alternative fuels, electric or hybrid cars, or lighter or more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Automotive Engineers salary in other locations

Other occupations in Ames, IA