Iowa Median
$79,830
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.38
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-9% vs US median
US median $87,990
State Rank
#17 of 42
180 employed here
How much does a Microbiologist make in Iowa?
Microbiologists in Iowa take home a median of $79,830 annually — roughly $38.38 an hour — which runs 9% below the national median of $87,990.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $66,780 while the top 10% make $138,090 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $68,680 and $104,290 a year.
Microbiologist salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,780 | $32.11 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $68,680 | $33.02 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $79,830 | $38.38 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $104,290 | $50.14 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,090 | $66.39 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 17th out of 42 states and territories for Microbiologist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Microbiologist salary in other states
Massachusetts $122,350California $108,530Maryland $108,470Georgia $103,070New Jersey $96,020Illinois $92,050Oregon $89,220Montana $87,750Connecticut $86,360North Carolina $85,860Pennsylvania $84,650Minnesota $83,400Delaware $82,770Colorado $81,640New York $81,090Florida $80,930New Hampshire $79,430Michigan $78,680Missouri $78,590Indiana $77,900Virginia $77,820Washington $77,690Tennessee $77,630Alaska $76,320Utah $72,600Ohio $72,500Nebraska $72,470Hawaii $70,970South Dakota $70,530Kansas $70,500Arizona $69,880West Virginia $68,550Wisconsin $67,100Kentucky $66,500Texas $66,450Idaho $65,940Alabama $65,690South Carolina $64,740Nevada $64,490Mississippi $61,690Arkansas $59,750
Working as a Microbiologist in Iowa
Nationally, about 19,000 people work as Microbiologists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($79,830) 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 Microbiologist make in Iowa?
The median Microbiologist salary in Iowa is $79,830 per year, or about $38.38 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $66,780 at the entry level to $138,090 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Microbiologists about 9% less than the national median of $87,990. Iowa ranks 17th out of 42 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Microbiologists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $79,830 a year. About 180 Microbiologists 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 Microbiologist 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.