How much does a food scientist and technologist make in Des Moines?
$76,580a year
Median yearly pay for food scientist and technologists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $36.82 an hour or $6,382 a month.
- Hourly
- $36.82
- Vs. national median
- -14%
- Rank among cities
- 52 of 64
- Jobs in the area
- 160
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $46,000Median: $76,580Highest 10%: $111,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,000 | $22.12 | |
| 25th | $54,150 | $26.03 | |
| Median | $76,580 | $36.82 | |
| 75th | $104,600 | $50.29 | |
| 90th | $111,300 | $53.51 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for food scientist and technologists.
| Omaha, NE | $90,770 |
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 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist | $81,220 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientist | $76,850 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food scientist and technologist make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $36.82 ($76,580 a year).
Do food scientist and technologists make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $76,580 against $88,720 nationally, 14% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $82,010, so Des Moines pays 7% less.
Where does Des Moines rank for food scientist and technologist pay?
52 of 64 metro areas with data.
How much does a food scientist and technologist make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $46,000 or less a year; the top 10% make $111,300 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.