Chemists Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $83,570 -0.7% vs national
Median hourly $40.18
10th percentile $62,430
90th percentile $130,120
Employed locally 150
National median $84,150

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Chemists
in
Des Moines, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $62,430
    25th
    $65,490
    50th (median)
    $83,570
    75th
    $101,030
    90th
    $130,120

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Chemists salary vs area income 99% Median Chemists salary is 1% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Chemists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $153,320
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $145,430
    Albuquerque, NM $137,740
    New Mexico $134,370
    Maryland $131,910
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $130,830

    Nearby metros — Chemists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $153,320
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $145,430
    Peoria, IL $122,950
    Louisiana $109,150
    Cedar Rapids, IA $108,460
    West Virginia $108,010

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Agricultural Technicians $39,340
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $101,880
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $82,830
    Soil and Plant Scientists $86,120
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $76,220
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $44,040

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chemists make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Chemists in Des Moines, IA is $40.18, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $66.13 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Chemists salaries?

    The median Chemists salary in Des Moines, IA is 0.7% below the national median of $84,150. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chemists in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Chemists (10th percentile) earn around $62,430 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $65,490.