Chemist salary in Iowa City, IA
Chemists in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn a median of $65,270 a year ($31.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,330 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $91,240. Pay here is 24% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $86,100. There are 0.47 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $75,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in Iowa City, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,270 | $31.38 |
| 25th percentile | $65,270 | $31.38 |
| Median | $65,270 | $31.38 |
| 75th percentile | $82,330 | $39.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,330 | $41.51 |
| Average (mean) | $75,460 | $36.28 |
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 | $5,439.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,719.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,510.38 |
| Weekly | $1,255.19 |
| Hourly | $31.38 |
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 |
| 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 |
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 Iowa City, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $78,780 | $37.88 |
| Biological Technician | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $81,580 | $39.22 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $63,690 | $30.62 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $80,100 | $38.51 |
| Agricultural Technician | $59,820 | $28.76 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $92,210 | $44.33 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $89,570 | $43.06 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $84,360 | $40.56 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, IA?
The median salary for chemists in the Iowa City, IA metro area is $65,270 a year, or $31.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in Iowa City, IA?
The top 10% of chemists in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn at least $86,330 a year. The top 25% earn $82,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in Iowa City, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,270 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $65,270 or less.
How many chemists work in Iowa City, IA?
About 40 chemists are employed in the Iowa City, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.