How much does an environmental scientist and specialist make in Des Moines?
Median yearly pay for environmental scientist and specialists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $39.05 an hour or $6,768 a month.
- Hourly
- $39.05
- Vs. national median
- -1%
- Rank among cities
- 108 of 259
- Jobs in the area
- 240
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $57,040 | $27.42 | |
| 25th | $66,450 | $31.95 | |
| Median | $81,220 | $39.05 | |
| 75th | $91,070 | $43.78 | |
| 90th | $119,300 | $57.38 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for environmental scientist and specialists.
| Davenport, IA | $87,270 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $86,800 |
| Iowa City, IA | $78,780 |
| Omaha, NE | $65,790 |
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 |
| Chemist | $87,560 |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $85,980 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $84,740 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientist | $76,850 |
| Food Scientist and Technologist | $76,580 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an environmental scientist and specialist make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $39.05 ($81,220 a year).
Do environmental scientist and specialists make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $81,220 against $82,220 nationally, 1% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $78,780, so Des Moines pays 3% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for environmental scientist and specialist pay?
108 of 259 metro areas with data.
How much does an environmental scientist and specialist make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $57,040 or less a year; the top 10% make $119,300 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.