Epidemiologist salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Epidemiologists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $83,650 a year ($40.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,870 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $87,220. Pay here is 5% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $79,880. There are 0.08 epidemiologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $86,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for epidemiologists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| 25th percentile | $79,090 | $38.03 |
| Median | $83,650 | $40.22 |
| 75th percentile | $103,140 | $49.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $113,870 | $54.75 |
| Average (mean) | $86,370 | $41.52 |
Half of epidemiologists 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 | $6,970.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,485.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,217.31 |
| Weekly | $1,608.65 |
| Hourly | $40.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for epidemiologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $115,890 |
| District of Columbia | $112,370 |
| California | $110,760 |
| New Jersey | $109,760 |
| Washington | $108,240 |
| Minnesota | $104,460 |
| Illinois | $102,720 |
| Maryland | $101,830 |
| Nevada | $99,880 |
| Tennessee | $97,310 |
See Epidemiologist pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $132,290 | $63.60 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $76,580 | $36.82 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $95,200 | $45.77 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $99,420 | $47.80 |
| Conservation Scientist | $76,540 | $36.80 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $83,790 | $40.28 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $92,310 | $44.38 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $81,220 | $39.05 |
| Chemist | $87,560 | $42.10 |
| Food Science Technician | $48,820 | $23.47 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $46,950 | $22.57 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $43,960 | $21.14 |
| 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 19-1041. 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 epidemiologist make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for epidemiologists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $83,650 a year, or $40.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid epidemiologists make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of epidemiologists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $113,870 a year. The top 25% earn $103,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for epidemiologists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,150 a year, and a quarter of epidemiologists earn $79,090 or less.
How many epidemiologists work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 30 epidemiologists are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.