Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Iowa
Food Scientists and Technologists in Iowa earn a median of $82,010 a year ($39.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,310 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $88,720. Iowa ranks 26th of 39 states for food scientists and technologists pay. There are 0.24 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $82,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,230 | $24.15 |
| 25th percentile | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Median | $82,010 | $39.43 |
| 75th percentile | $103,940 | $49.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,310 | $53.52 |
| Average (mean) | $82,570 | $39.70 |
Half of food scientists and technologists 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 | $6,834.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,417.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,154.23 |
| Weekly | $1,577.12 |
| Hourly | $39.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Scientists and Technologists salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $90,770 | 60 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $78,260 | 40 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $76,580 | 160 |
Highest-paying states for food scientists and technologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| South Carolina | $108,660 |
| Missouri | $105,930 |
| New Jersey | $104,340 |
| Massachusetts | $103,580 |
| Florida | $101,160 |
| Colorado | $99,580 |
| Minnesota | $99,280 |
| Kentucky | $98,710 |
| Alabama | $97,480 |
| Washington | $94,990 |
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 |
| Microbiologist | $79,830 | $38.38 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $101,090 | $48.60 |
| 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 19-1012. 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 food scientists and technologists make in Iowa?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in Iowa is $82,010 a year, or $39.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in Iowa?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in Iowa earn at least $111,310 a year. The top 25% earn $103,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,230 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $65,170 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in Iowa?
About 380 food scientists and technologists are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.