Food Scientists and Technologists Salary in Des Moines, IA

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

Median annual salary $63,450 -25.6% vs national
Median hourly $30.51
10th percentile $39,700
90th percentile $98,940
Employed locally 170
National median $85,310

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Food Scientists and Technologists
in
Des Moines, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,700
    25th
    $49,740
    50th (median)
    $63,450
    75th
    $79,400
    90th
    $98,940

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Scientists and Technologists salary vs area income 75% Median Food Scientists and Technologists salary is 25% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Scientists and Technologists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $105,670
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $103,810
    New Jersey $102,630
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $102,630
    Ann Arbor, MI $102,570
    District of Columbia $102,500

    Nearby metros — Food Scientists and Technologists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $102,500
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $97,950
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $97,630
    Omaha, NE-IA $90,770
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $89,620
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $87,270

    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 Scientists and Technologists make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Food Scientists and Technologists in Des Moines, IA is $30.51, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $53.52 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Food Scientists and Technologists salaries?

    The median Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Des Moines, IA is 25.6% below the national median of $85,310. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Scientists and Technologists in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Food Scientists and Technologists (10th percentile) earn around $39,700 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $49,740.