Food Science Technicians Salary in Des Moines, IA

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

Median annual salary $45,760 -7.4% vs national
Median hourly $22.00
10th percentile $38,030
90th percentile $63,490
Employed locally 160
National median $49,430

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Food Science Technicians
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,030
    25th
    $38,030
    50th (median)
    $45,760
    75th
    $46,640
    90th
    $63,490

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Science Technicians salary vs area income 54% Median Food Science Technicians salary is 46% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Science Technicians

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $104,600
    Fort Collins-Loveland, CO $77,530
    Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $76,690
    Jacksonville, FL $76,320
    Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $73,030
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $65,220

    Nearby metros — Food Science Technicians salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $104,600
    Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $76,690
    Virginia $59,110
    Central Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area $53,200
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $52,500
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $52,210

    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 Food Science Technicians make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Food Science Technicians in Des Moines, IA is $22.00, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.99 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Food Science Technicians salaries?

    The median Food Science Technicians salary in Des Moines, IA is 7.4% below the national median of $49,430. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Science Technicians in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Food Science Technicians (10th percentile) earn around $38,030 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,030.