SOC 19-1042 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — Northwest Iowa
Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area · 5 metro areas compared
The median wage for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists in Northwest Iowa, IA is $104,020 per year, close to the national median of $103,410 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists in Northwest Iowa, IA is $104,020 per year, close to the national median of $103,410 for the same occupation. Pay ranges from under $55,650 at the tenth percentile to more than $159,330 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $63,390 to $135,410.
Employment stands at 120, or 0.8 jobs per thousand held locally. Cedar Rapids leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $98,920. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 26th of 368 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $55,650 | −46.2% |
| 25th | $63,390 | −38.7% |
| Median (50th) | $104,020 | +0.6% |
| 75th | $135,410 | +30.9% |
| 90th | $159,330 | +54.1% |
| Mean | $112,040 | +8.3% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cedar Rapids | $98,920 | 50 | |
| 2 | Des Moines | $95,200 | 140 | |
| 3 | Ames | $93,720 | 110 | |
| 4 | Iowa City | $81,580 | 470 | |
| 5 | Davenport | $69,410 | 70 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northwest Iowa run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $104,020 goes as far as $118,474 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 14.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$104,020as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$118,474US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $104,020 a year, 0.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $55,650 to $159,330 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 120 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Cedar Rapids, at $98,920.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists in Northwest Iowa, IA?
The median annual wage is $104,020, or $50.01 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $103,410, so pay in Northwest Iowa, IA is 0.6% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Northwest Iowa, IA earns more than $159,330 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $55,650 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Cedar Rapids, at $98,920 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 120 jobs in this occupation in Northwest Iowa, IA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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