How much does a physicist make in Des Moines?
$178,100a year
Median yearly pay for physicists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $85.63 an hour or $14,840 a month.
- Hourly
- $85.63
- Vs. national median
- +3%
- Rank among cities
- 11 of 60
- Jobs in the area
- 50
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $91,070Median: $178,100Highest 10%: $293,000
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $91,070 | $43.78 | |
| 25th | $107,500 | $51.69 | |
| Median | $178,100 | $85.63 | |
| 75th | $218,500 | $105.06 | |
| 90th | $293,000 | $140.86 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for physicists.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| 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 |
| Food Scientist and Technologist | $76,580 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physicist make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $85.63 ($178,100 a year).
Do physicists make more in Des Moines than the national average?
Yes: $178,100 against $172,300 nationally, 3% more.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $178,100, so Des Moines pays 0% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for physicist pay?
11 of 60 metro areas with data.
How much does a physicist make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $91,070 or less a year; the top 10% make $293,000 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.