Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in Iowa
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Iowa earn a median of $76,850 a year ($36.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,170 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $99,070. Iowa ranks 42nd of 47 states for atmospheric and space scientists pay. There are 0.07 atmospheric and space scientists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $89,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for atmospheric and space scientists in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,300 | $24.18 |
| 25th percentile | $74,260 | $35.70 |
| Median | $76,850 | $36.95 |
| 75th percentile | $111,030 | $53.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $139,170 | $66.91 |
| Average (mean) | $89,160 | $42.87 |
Half of atmospheric and space scientists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,404.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,202.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,955.77 |
| Weekly | $1,477.88 |
| Hourly | $36.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $76,850 | n/a |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $60,740 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for atmospheric and space scientists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $128,800 |
| California | $124,920 |
| Hawaii | $121,010 |
| New Jersey | $120,180 |
| Idaho | $119,430 |
| New York | $117,540 |
| Florida | $115,960 |
| Arizona | $115,020 |
| Missouri | $114,230 |
| Illinois | $112,280 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $78,780 | $37.88 |
| Chemist | $86,100 | $41.39 |
| Materials Scientist | $88,320 | $42.46 |
| Physicist | $178,110 | $85.63 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $80,810 | $38.85 |
| Hydrologist | $81,150 | $39.02 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $74,460 | $35.80 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,830 | $42.23 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $83,850 | $40.31 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $96,310 | $46.30 |
| Biological Technician | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| Conservation Scientist | $69,240 | $33.29 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $82,720 | $39.77 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $52,020 | $25.01 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a atmospheric and space scientists make in Iowa?
The median salary for atmospheric and space scientists in Iowa is $76,850 a year, or $36.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid atmospheric and space scientists make in Iowa?
The top 10% of atmospheric and space scientists in Iowa earn at least $139,170 a year. The top 25% earn $111,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for atmospheric and space scientists in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,300 a year, and a quarter of atmospheric and space scientists earn $74,260 or less.
How many atmospheric and space scientists work in Iowa?
About 100 atmospheric and space scientists are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.