Chemist salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Chemists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $87,560 a year ($42.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,560 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 2% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $86,100. There are 0.37 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $96,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,900 | $31.68 |
| 25th percentile | $68,450 | $32.91 |
| Median | $87,560 | $42.10 |
| 75th percentile | $111,210 | $53.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,560 | $66.13 |
| Average (mean) | $96,700 | $46.49 |
Half of chemists 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 | $7,296.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,648.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,367.69 |
| Weekly | $1,683.85 |
| Hourly | $42.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $103,980 | 50 |
| Ames, IA | $84,300 | 40 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $80,510 | 70 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $74,890 | 170 |
| Iowa City, IA | $65,270 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for chemists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $149,860 |
| Maryland | $140,670 |
| Delaware | $129,860 |
| New Mexico | $126,960 |
| Massachusetts | $125,000 |
| Alaska | $106,010 |
| Oregon | $104,590 |
| Louisiana | $103,890 |
| Wyoming | $102,000 |
| Colorado | $101,980 |
See Chemist pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $81,220 | $39.05 |
| Physicist | $178,110 | $85.63 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $76,850 | $36.95 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $132,290 | $63.60 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $92,310 | $44.38 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $76,580 | $36.82 |
| Food Science Technician | $48,820 | $23.47 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $95,200 | $45.77 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $99,420 | $47.80 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $46,950 | $22.57 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $43,960 | $21.14 |
| Conservation Scientist | $76,540 | $36.80 |
| School Psychologist | $76,320 | $36.69 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $71,160 | $34.21 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2031. 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 chemist make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for chemists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $87,560 a year, or $42.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of chemists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $137,560 a year. The top 25% earn $111,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,900 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $68,450 or less.
How many chemists work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 150 chemists are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.