Food Science Technician salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Food Science Technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $48,820 a year ($23.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,460 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $52,130. Pay here is 4% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $50,740. There are 0.34 food science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $49,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food science technicians in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,200 | $19.33 |
| 25th percentile | $40,200 | $19.33 |
| Median | $48,820 | $23.47 |
| 75th percentile | $52,350 | $25.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Average (mean) | $49,130 | $23.62 |
Half of food science 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 | $4,068.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,034.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,877.69 |
| Weekly | $938.85 |
| Hourly | $23.47 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,820 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Food Science Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $52,160 | n/a |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $50,710 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for food science technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Virginia | $65,360 |
| Kentucky | $64,770 |
| Washington | $62,070 |
| Vermont | $60,980 |
| Illinois | $60,820 |
| Missouri | $59,570 |
| Nevada | $59,070 |
| Colorado | $58,540 |
| Florida | $58,500 |
| Minnesota | $57,940 |
See Food Science Technician pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Chemical Technician | $57,000 | $27.40 |
| 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 19-4013. 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 food science technician make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for food science technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $48,820 a year, or $23.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food science technicians make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of food science technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $64,460 a year. The top 25% earn $52,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for food science technicians in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,200 a year, and a quarter of food science technicians earn $40,200 or less.
How many food science technicians work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 140 food science technicians are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.