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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a VLSI Design Engineer in Iowa is $106,737 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $51.
However, a VLSI Design Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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VLSI Design Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $118,741 | $9,895 | $2,283 | $57 |
| Average | $106,737 | $8,895 | $2,053 | $51 |
| 25th Percentile | $98,370 | $8,198 | $1,892 | $47 |
XL Specialized Trailers - Manchester, IA
United Equipment Accessories - Waverly, IA
YBI Recruiting - Cedar Rapids, IA
Cornerstone Building Brands - Mount Pleasant, IA
A VLSI Design 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a VLSI Design 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Product D... Level VLSI Design Engineer | $74,651 |
| Product D... Level VLSI Design Engineer | $84,679 |
| VLSI Desi... Level VLSI Design Engineer | $105,854 |
| Product D... Level VLSI Design Engineer | $129,250 |
| Product D... Level VLSI Design Engineer | $151,415 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract VLSI Design Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For VLSI Design Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 180% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and MFG Nondurable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 90% above the average. In contrast, VLSI Design Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Pharmaceuticals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view VLSI Design Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $202,800 | $98.0 | 90% |
| MFG Nondurable | $192,127 | $92.0 | 80% |
| Construction | $181,453 | $87.0 | 70% |
| Media | $170,779 | $82.0 | 60% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $160,106 | $77.0 | 50% |
Understanding how a VLSI Design 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $118,741 | $9,895 | $2,283 | $57 |
| Average | $106,737 | $8,895 | $2,053 | $51 |
| 25th Percentile | $98,370 | $8,198 | $1,892 | $47 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current VLSI Design Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Bolton & Menk, Inc
Cedar Rapids, IA
Bolton & Menk, Inc | Cedar Rapids, IA
Job Description. Job Description. Bolton & Menk has an exciting opportunity for a Design Engineer, EIT, to join our Municipal team in our Cedar Rapids offi... more
3 Days Ago
Rogers Freels & Associates Inc
Dubuque, IA
Rogers Freels & Associates Inc | Dubuque, IA
Job Description. Job Description. RFA Engineering. (www.rfamec.com) is an engineering service provider dedicated to delivering our clients with timely engi... more
4 Days Ago
Bolton & Menk, Inc
Des Moines, IA
Bolton & Menk, Inc | Des Moines, IA
Job Description. Job Description. Bolton & Menk has an exciting opportunity for a Design Engineer, EIT, to join our Municipal team in our Des Moines office... more
4 Days Ago
Productive Resources
Eldridge, IA
Productive Resources | Eldridge, IA
Job Description. Job Description. Product Design Engineer II. Eldridge, IA – Direct Hire. . Productive Resources. (www.productiveresources.com). is seeking... more
3 Days Ago
Life Line Emergency Vehicles
Sumner, IA
Life Line Emergency Vehicles | Sumner, IA
Job Description. Job Description. Join the Team That Builds Life-Saving Vehicles. Why Life Line. At Life Line, you won’t just build parts — you’ll help bui... more
4 Days Ago
Masaba Inc.
Sioux City, IA
Masaba Inc. | Sioux City, IA
Job Description. Job Description. . POSITION. Sr. Design Engineer. COMPANY PROFILE. Our client custom designs and builds specialized construction and minin... more
4 Days Ago
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