Physicist salary in Iowa
Physicists in Iowa earn a median of $178,110 a year ($85.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $83,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $292,990 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $172,250. Iowa ranks 11th of 43 states for physicists pay. There are 0.07 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $176,230, close to the median.
Pay range for physicists in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,830 | $40.31 |
| 25th percentile | $104,970 | $50.47 |
| Median | $178,110 | $85.63 |
| 75th percentile | $218,520 | $105.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $292,990 | $140.86 |
| Average (mean) | $176,230 | $84.72 |
Half of physicists 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 | $14,842.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,421.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,850.38 |
| Weekly | $3,425.19 |
| Hourly | $85.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $178,110 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for physicists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Florida | $225,390 |
| New Hampshire | $214,030 |
| Pennsylvania | $210,990 |
| California | $207,490 |
| Oregon | $200,320 |
| Oklahoma | $200,050 |
| Texas | $184,040 |
| New York | $181,970 |
| Kentucky | $180,910 |
| Connecticut | $180,300 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $78,780 | $37.88 |
| Chemist | $86,100 | $41.39 |
| Materials Scientist | $88,320 | $42.46 |
| 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 19-2012. 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 physicist make in Iowa?
The median salary for physicists in Iowa is $178,110 a year, or $85.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $83,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $292,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Iowa?
The top 10% of physicists in Iowa earn at least $292,990 a year. The top 25% earn $218,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $83,830 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $104,970 or less.
How many physicists work in Iowa?
About 110 physicists are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.