Chemist salary in Iowa
Chemists in Iowa earn a median of $86,100 a year ($41.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 570 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,560 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $91,240. Iowa ranks 26th of 51 states for chemists pay. There are 0.36 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $94,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,270 | $31.38 |
| 25th percentile | $68,740 | $33.05 |
| Median | $86,100 | $41.39 |
| 75th percentile | $106,810 | $51.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,560 | $66.13 |
| Average (mean) | $94,080 | $45.23 |
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 | $7,175 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,587.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,311.54 |
| Weekly | $1,655.77 |
| Hourly | $41.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $103,980 | 50 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $87,560 | 150 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $78,780 | $37.88 |
| Materials Scientist | $88,320 | $42.46 |
| Physicist | $178,110 | $85.63 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $76,850 | $36.95 |
| 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 19-2031. 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 Iowa?
The median salary for chemists in Iowa is $86,100 a year, or $41.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Iowa?
The top 10% of chemists in Iowa earn at least $137,560 a year. The top 25% earn $106,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,270 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $68,740 or less.
How many chemists work in Iowa?
About 570 chemists are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.