How much does a medical scientist make in Des Moines?
$95,200a year
Median yearly pay for medical scientists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $45.77 an hour or $7,933 a month.
- Hourly
- $45.77
- Vs. national median
- -8%
- Rank among cities
- 73 of 178
- Jobs in the area
- 140
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $58,740Median: $95,200Highest 10%: $152,000
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $58,740 | $28.24 | |
| 25th | $67,830 | $32.61 | |
| Median | $95,200 | $45.77 | |
| 75th | $112,100 | $53.90 | |
| 90th | $152,000 | $73.06 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for medical scientists.
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $98,920 |
| Ames, IA | $93,720 |
| Iowa City, IA | $81,580 |
| Omaha, NE | $81,500 |
| Davenport, IA | $69,410 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physicist | $178,100 |
| Soil and Plant Scientist | $132,300 |
| Biological Scientist | $99,420 |
| 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 medical scientist make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $45.77 ($95,200 a year).
Do medical scientists make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $95,200 against $103,400 nationally, 8% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $83,850, so Des Moines pays 14% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for medical scientist pay?
73 of 178 metro areas with data.
How much does a medical scientist make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $58,740 or less a year; the top 10% make $152,000 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.