Iowa Median
$82,010
per year
Hourly Rate
$39.43
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $88,720
State Rank
#26 of 39
380 employed here
How much do Food Scientists and Technologists make in Iowa?
Food Scientists and Technologists working in Iowa earn a median salary of $82,010 per year, or about $39.43 per hour. That is 8% below the national median of $88,720 for this occupation.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $50,230 while the top 10% make $111,310 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $65,170 and $103,940 a year.
Food Scientists and Technologists salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,230 | $24.15 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $65,170 | $31.33 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $82,010 | $39.43 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $103,940 | $49.97 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,310 | $53.51 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 26th out of 39 states and territories for Food Scientists and Technologists pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Food Scientists and Technologists salary in other states
South Carolina $108,660Missouri $105,930New Jersey $104,340Massachusetts $103,580Florida $101,160Colorado $99,580Minnesota $99,280Kentucky $98,710Alabama $97,480Washington $94,990Illinois $94,340New York $94,070California $93,950Virginia $93,590Maryland $93,330Texas $90,610Arizona $90,450Maine $89,480Rhode Island $87,970Georgia $86,050Kansas $85,130Oklahoma $84,750Arkansas $84,330Pennsylvania $83,380Wisconsin $83,020Tennessee $81,760Oregon $81,660Nevada $80,580North Carolina $79,840New Mexico $79,130Idaho $77,440Michigan $76,940Ohio $76,780Utah $73,280Nebraska $72,230South Dakota $71,330Indiana $69,350Montana $52,230
Working as Food Scientists and Technologists in Iowa
Nationally, about 13,000 people work as Food Scientists and Technologists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($82,010) 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 do Food Scientists and Technologists make in Iowa?
The median Food Scientists and Technologists salary in Iowa is $82,010 per year, or about $39.43 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $50,230 at the entry level to $111,310 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Food Scientists and Technologists about 8% less than the national median of $88,720. Iowa ranks 26th out of 39 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Food Scientists and Technologists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $82,010 a year. About 380 Food Scientists and Technologists 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 Food Scientists and Technologists 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.