Iowa Median
$88,320
per year
Hourly Rate
$42.46
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-25% vs US median
US median $117,790
State Rank
#27 of 30
180 employed here
How much does a Materials Scientist make in Iowa?
A Materials Scientist working in Iowa earns a median salary of $88,320 per year, or about $42.46 per hour. That is 25% below the national median of $117,790 for this occupation.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $52,450 while the top 10% make $149,020 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $67,590 and $124,100 a year.
Materials Scientist salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,450 | $25.22 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $67,590 | $32.50 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $88,320 | $42.46 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $124,100 | $59.66 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,020 | $71.64 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 27th out of 30 states and territories for Materials Scientist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Materials Scientist salary in other states
California $177,030Oregon $150,550Wisconsin $137,700District of Columbia $137,600Massachusetts $132,600Minnesota $132,160New York $131,740Indiana $130,540Connecticut $130,320Washington $127,250Utah $126,840Illinois $125,850Virginia $124,150New Hampshire $119,990Colorado $117,290Kansas $115,490Maryland $112,400Ohio $108,830Michigan $107,410Pennsylvania $106,920North Carolina $106,470New Jersey $103,150Florida $102,340South Carolina $101,930Nevada $97,490Georgia $91,970Texas $72,700Montana $71,810Tennessee $69,010
Working as a Materials Scientist in Iowa
Nationally, about 8,000 people work as Materials Scientists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($88,320) 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 Materials Scientist make in Iowa?
The median Materials Scientist salary in Iowa is $88,320 per year, or about $42.46 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $52,450 at the entry level to $149,020 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Materials Scientists about 25% less than the national median of $117,790. Iowa ranks 27th out of 30 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Materials Scientists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $88,320 a year. About 180 Materials Scientists 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 Materials Scientist 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.