Iowa Median
$117,590
per year
Hourly Rate
$56.53
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $125,040
State Rank
#17 of 41
40 employed here
How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Iowa?
Chemical Engineers in Iowa take home a median of $117,590 annually — roughly $56.53 an hour — which runs 6% below the national median of $125,040.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $78,610 while the top 10% make $134,030 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $92,050 and $124,120 a year.
Chemical Engineer salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,610 | $37.79 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $92,050 | $44.25 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $117,590 | $56.53 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $124,120 | $59.67 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,030 | $64.44 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 17th out of 41 states and territories for Chemical Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Chemical Engineer salary in other states
New Mexico $158,190Virginia $136,380Alabama $135,030Louisiana $134,800Delaware $133,670Texas $132,750West Virginia $129,210New York $129,060Washington $128,290Oklahoma $127,790Montana $127,490Maryland $127,190New Jersey $126,760Colorado $125,800Illinois $121,560Massachusetts $118,000North Carolina $117,410Kentucky $117,170Pennsylvania $116,970Oregon $116,950North Dakota $115,400Indiana $113,160Rhode Island $111,590Ohio $111,200Florida $109,000Minnesota $107,670Idaho $106,740Mississippi $106,740Alaska $106,080Arkansas $105,270Georgia $103,880Michigan $103,230Missouri $102,320Connecticut $102,270Kansas $102,020South Carolina $101,570Nebraska $98,310Wisconsin $97,660Utah $85,520New Hampshire $73,250
Working as a Chemical Engineer in Iowa
Nationally, about 21,000 people work as Chemical Engineers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($117,590) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Iowa?
The median Chemical Engineer salary in Iowa is $117,590 per year, or about $56.53 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $78,610 at the entry level to $134,030 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Chemical Engineers about 6% less than the national median of $125,040. Iowa ranks 17th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Chemical Engineers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $117,590 a year. About 40 Chemical Engineers are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Chemical Engineer salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.