How much does a biological scientist make in Des Moines?
$99,420a year
Median yearly pay for biological scientists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $47.80 an hour or $8,285 a month.
- Hourly
- $47.80
- Vs. national median
- +1%
- Rank among cities
- 37 of 156
- Jobs in the area
- 130
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $66,040Median: $99,420Highest 10%: $119,700
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $66,040 | $31.75 | |
| 25th | $67,000 | $32.21 | |
| Median | $99,420 | $47.80 | |
| 75th | $104,700 | $50.34 | |
| 90th | $119,700 | $57.57 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for biological scientists.
| Omaha, NE | $88,070 |
| Ames, IA | $82,720 |
| Davenport, IA | $82,620 |
| Iowa City, IA | $80,100 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physicist | $178,100 |
| Soil and Plant Scientist | $132,300 |
| Medical Scientist | $95,200 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $92,310 |
| Chemist | $87,560 |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $85,980 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $84,740 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist | $81,220 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientist | $76,850 |
| Food Scientist and Technologist | $76,580 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a biological scientist make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $47.80 ($99,420 a year).
Do biological scientists make more in Des Moines than the national average?
Yes: $99,420 against $98,920 nationally, 1% more.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $82,720, so Des Moines pays 20% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for biological scientist pay?
37 of 156 metro areas with data.
How much does a biological scientist make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $66,040 or less a year; the top 10% make $119,700 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.