Materials Scientist salary in Iowa
Materials Scientists in Iowa earn a median of $88,320 a year ($42.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,020 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $117,790. Iowa ranks 27th of 30 states for materials scientists pay. There are 0.11 materials scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $99,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials scientists in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,450 | $25.22 |
| 25th percentile | $67,590 | $32.50 |
| Median | $88,320 | $42.46 |
| 75th percentile | $124,100 | $59.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,020 | $71.65 |
| Average (mean) | $99,050 | $47.62 |
Half of materials scientists 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 | $7,360 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,680 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,396.92 |
| Weekly | $1,698.46 |
| Hourly | $42.46 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for materials scientists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $177,030 |
| Oregon | $150,550 |
| Wisconsin | $137,700 |
| District of Columbia | $137,600 |
| Massachusetts | $132,600 |
| Minnesota | $132,160 |
| New York | $131,740 |
| Indiana | $130,540 |
| Connecticut | $130,320 |
| Washington | $127,250 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $78,780 | $37.88 |
| Chemist | $86,100 | $41.39 |
| 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 19-2032. 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 materials scientist make in Iowa?
The median salary for materials scientists in Iowa is $88,320 a year, or $42.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials scientists make in Iowa?
The top 10% of materials scientists in Iowa earn at least $149,020 a year. The top 25% earn $124,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials scientists in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,450 a year, and a quarter of materials scientists earn $67,590 or less.
How many materials scientists work in Iowa?
About 180 materials scientists are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.