SOC 19-1013 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Soil and Plant Scientists — Des Moines
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA · 3 metro areas compared
In Des Moines, IA the median wage for Soil and Plant Scientists reaches $132,290 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Des Moines, IA the median wage for Soil and Plant Scientists reaches $132,290 a year. That is 67.8% more than the national median of $78,850. Pay ranges from under $74,250 at the tenth percentile to more than $171,530 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $81,000 to $161,840.
Employment stands at 430, or 1.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Cedar Rapids records the highest median at $94,980. Of the 508 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 27th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $74,250 | −5.8% |
| 25th | $81,000 | +2.7% |
| Median (50th) | $132,290 | +67.8% |
| 75th | $161,840 | +105.3% |
| 90th | $171,530 | +117.5% |
| Mean | $123,060 | +56.1% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cedar Rapids | $94,980 | 40 | |
| 2 | Iowa City | $84,360 | 30 | |
| 3 | Ames | $65,080 | 130 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Des Moines run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $132,290 goes as far as $150,672 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 91.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$132,290as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$150,672US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $132,290 a year, 67.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $74,250 to $171,530 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 430 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Cedar Rapids, at $94,980.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Soil and Plant Scientists in Des Moines, IA?
The median annual wage is $132,290, or $63.60 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 $78,850, so pay in Des Moines, IA is 67.8% 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 Des Moines, IA earns more than $171,530 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $74,250 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 $94,980 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 430 jobs in this occupation in Des Moines, 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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