Microbiologist salary in Iowa
Microbiologists in Iowa earn a median of $79,830 a year ($38.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,090 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $87,990. Iowa ranks 17th of 42 states for microbiologists pay. There are 0.12 microbiologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $91,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for microbiologists in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,780 | $32.11 |
| 25th percentile | $68,680 | $33.02 |
| Median | $79,830 | $38.38 |
| 75th percentile | $104,290 | $50.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,090 | $66.39 |
| Average (mean) | $91,170 | $43.83 |
Half of microbiologists 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 | $6,652.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,326.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,070.38 |
| Weekly | $1,535.19 |
| Hourly | $38.38 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for microbiologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $122,350 |
| California | $108,530 |
| Maryland | $108,470 |
| Georgia | $103,070 |
| New Jersey | $96,020 |
| Illinois | $92,050 |
| Oregon | $89,220 |
| Montana | $87,750 |
| Connecticut | $86,360 |
| North Carolina | $85,860 |
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 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $82,010 | $39.43 |
| 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 19-1022. 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 microbiologist make in Iowa?
The median salary for microbiologists in Iowa is $79,830 a year, or $38.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid microbiologists make in Iowa?
The top 10% of microbiologists in Iowa earn at least $138,090 a year. The top 25% earn $104,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for microbiologists in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,780 a year, and a quarter of microbiologists earn $68,680 or less.
How many microbiologists work in Iowa?
About 180 microbiologists are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.