Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Food Scientists and Technologists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $76,580 a year ($36.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,310 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $88,720. Pay here is 7% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $82,010. There are 0.39 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $80,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,000 | $22.11 |
| 25th percentile | $54,150 | $26.04 |
| Median | $76,580 | $36.82 |
| 75th percentile | $104,600 | $50.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,310 | $53.52 |
| Average (mean) | $80,250 | $38.58 |
Half of food scientists and technologists 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 | $6,381.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,190.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,945.38 |
| Weekly | $1,472.69 |
| Hourly | $36.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $76,580 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 Scientists and Technologists salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $90,770 | 60 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $78,260 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for food scientists and technologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| South Carolina | $108,660 |
| Missouri | $105,930 |
| New Jersey | $104,340 |
| Massachusetts | $103,580 |
| Florida | $101,160 |
| Colorado | $99,580 |
| Minnesota | $99,280 |
| Kentucky | $98,710 |
| Alabama | $97,480 |
| Washington | $94,990 |
See Food Scientists and Technologists pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $132,290 | $63.60 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $95,200 | $45.77 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $99,420 | $47.80 |
| Conservation Scientist | $76,540 | $36.80 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $83,790 | $40.28 |
| Epidemiologist | $83,650 | $40.22 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $92,310 | $44.38 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $81,220 | $39.05 |
| Chemist | $87,560 | $42.10 |
| 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 |
| School Psychologist | $76,320 | $36.69 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $71,160 | $34.21 |
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 19-1012. 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 scientists and technologists make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $76,580 a year, or $36.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $111,310 a year. The top 25% earn $104,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,000 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $54,150 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 160 food scientists and technologists are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.