Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Salary in Des Moines, IA

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

Median annual salary $76,220 -4.8% vs national
Median hourly $36.65
10th percentile $53,800
90th percentile $100,030
Employed locally 230
National median $80,060

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Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $53,800
    25th
    $64,230
    50th (median)
    $76,220
    75th
    $88,410
    90th
    $100,030

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health salary vs area income 91% Median Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health salary is 9% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health

    Metro areaMedian salary
    North Georgia nonmetropolitan area $178,960
    District of Columbia $122,440
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $110,240
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $109,520
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $108,310
    Monroe, MI $107,990

    Nearby metros — Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    North Georgia nonmetropolitan area $178,960
    District of Columbia $122,440
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $109,520
    California $97,520
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $95,680
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $95,100

    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
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $44,040
    Food Scientists and Technologists $63,450

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Des Moines, IA is $36.65, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $57.37 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health salaries?

    The median Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health salary in Des Moines, IA is 4.8% below the national median of $80,060. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health (10th percentile) earn around $53,800 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $64,230.