Biochemists and Biophysicists salary in Iowa
Biochemists and Biophysicists in Iowa earn a median of $101,090 a year ($48.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,840 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $127,410. Iowa ranks 15th of 35 states for biochemists and biophysicists pay. There are 0.09 biochemists and biophysicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.41). The average (mean) salary is $96,820, close to the median.
Pay range for biochemists and biophysicists in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,950 | $31.71 |
| 25th percentile | $79,440 | $38.19 |
| Median | $101,090 | $48.60 |
| 75th percentile | $103,930 | $49.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,840 | $65.79 |
| Average (mean) | $96,820 | $46.55 |
Half of biochemists and biophysicists 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 | $8,424.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,212.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,888.08 |
| Weekly | $1,944.04 |
| Hourly | $48.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Biochemists and Biophysicists salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $83,790 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for biochemists and biophysicists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Florida | $157,390 |
| California | $139,580 |
| Tennessee | $134,560 |
| Pennsylvania | $134,090 |
| Connecticut | $132,670 |
| Massachusetts | $131,600 |
| New Jersey | $122,620 |
| District of Columbia | $120,090 |
| New Hampshire | $109,770 |
| Michigan | $109,340 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $83,850 | $40.31 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $96,310 | $46.30 |
| Conservation Scientist | $69,240 | $33.29 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $82,720 | $39.77 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $82,010 | $39.43 |
| Microbiologist | $79,830 | $38.38 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $64,270 | $30.90 |
| Epidemiologist | $79,880 | $38.41 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $83,000 | $39.91 |
| Animal Scientist | $75,290 | $36.20 |
| Forester | $83,000 | $39.91 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,830 | $42.23 |
| Biological Technician | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $78,780 | $37.88 |
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 19-1021. 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 biochemists and biophysicists make in Iowa?
The median salary for biochemists and biophysicists in Iowa is $101,090 a year, or $48.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid biochemists and biophysicists make in Iowa?
The top 10% of biochemists and biophysicists in Iowa earn at least $136,840 a year. The top 25% earn $103,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for biochemists and biophysicists in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,950 a year, and a quarter of biochemists and biophysicists earn $79,440 or less.
How many biochemists and biophysicists work in Iowa?
About 140 biochemists and biophysicists are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.