Physicists Salary in Des Moines, IA

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

Median annual salary $129,140 -22.3% vs national
Median hourly $62.09
10th percentile $102,900
90th percentile —
National median $166,290

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Physicists
in
Des Moines, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $102,900
    25th
    $102,900
    50th (median)
    $129,140

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Physicists salary vs area income 153% Median Physicists salary is 53% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Physicists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $266,260
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $226,750
    Cleveland, OH $225,930
    Minnesota $222,550
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $219,070
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $215,340

    Nearby metros — Physicists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $219,070
    Pennsylvania $208,470
    California $180,900
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $168,280
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $165,730
    Virginia $164,180

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Agricultural Technicians$39,340
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$82,830
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$101,880
    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 Physicists make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Physicists in Des Moines, IA is $62.09, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $140.86 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Physicists salaries?

    The median Physicists salary in Des Moines, IA is 22.3% below the national median of $166,290. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

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

    Entry-level Physicists (10th percentile) earn around $102,900 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $102,900.