Chemical Technician salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Chemical Technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $57,000 a year ($27.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,590 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $60,390. Pay here is 2% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $58,090. There are 0.13 chemical technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.36). The average (mean) salary is $58,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical technicians in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,460 | $22.34 |
| 25th percentile | $51,460 | $24.74 |
| Median | $57,000 | $27.40 |
| 75th percentile | $66,830 | $32.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,590 | $32.97 |
| Average (mean) | $58,550 | $28.15 |
Half of chemical technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,750 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,375 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,192.31 |
| Weekly | $1,096.15 |
| Hourly | $27.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $57,000 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chemical Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $64,410 | 40 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $62,700 | 130 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $58,090 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for chemical technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | $85,850 |
| Alaska | $79,380 |
| Delaware | $78,620 |
| South Carolina | $75,020 |
| Missouri | $68,550 |
| Massachusetts | $67,570 |
| Arizona | $65,860 |
| Vermont | $65,560 |
| Hawaii | $63,910 |
| Colorado | $63,770 |
See Chemical Technician pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Science Technician | $48,820 | $23.47 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $46,950 | $22.57 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $43,960 | $21.14 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $71,160 | $34.21 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $33,840 | $16.27 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $54,940 | $26.41 |
| Agricultural Technician | $65,300 | $31.39 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $132,290 | $63.60 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $92,310 | $44.38 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $81,220 | $39.05 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $76,580 | $36.82 |
| Chemist | $87,560 | $42.10 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $95,200 | $45.77 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $99,420 | $47.80 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-4031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemical technician make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for chemical technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $57,000 a year, or $27.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical technicians make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of chemical technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $68,590 a year. The top 25% earn $66,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical technicians in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,460 a year, and a quarter of chemical technicians earn $51,460 or less.
How many chemical technicians work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 50 chemical technicians are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.