How much does a chemist make in Des Moines?
$87,560a year
Median yearly pay for chemists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $42.10 an hour or $7,297 a month.
- Hourly
- $42.10
- Vs. national median
- -4%
- Rank among cities
- 90 of 212
- Jobs in the area
- 150
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $65,900Median: $87,560Highest 10%: $137,600
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $65,900 | $31.68 | |
| 25th | $68,450 | $32.91 | |
| Median | $87,560 | $42.10 | |
| 75th | $111,200 | $53.47 | |
| 90th | $137,600 | $66.13 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for chemists.
| Davenport, IA | $104,000 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $80,510 |
| Omaha, NE | $74,890 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physicist | $178,100 |
| Soil and Plant Scientist | $132,300 |
| Biological Scientist | $99,420 |
| Medical Scientist | $95,200 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $92,310 |
| 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 chemist make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $42.10 ($87,560 a year).
Do chemists make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $87,560 against $91,240 nationally, 4% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $86,100, so Des Moines pays 2% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for chemist pay?
90 of 212 metro areas with data.
How much does a chemist make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $65,900 or less a year; the top 10% make $137,600 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.