📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Materials Scientist Salary in Iowa (2026)

Iowa · 14.0% below national average · Medium Demand

Average
$87,961
per year
Median
$81,941
per year
Hourly
$42.29
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$54,636
25th Percentile — Junior$72,696
50th Percentile — Median$81,941
75th Percentile — Senior$113,331
90th Percentile — Top Earners$129,187
💡 Top-earning Materials Scientists in Iowa make up to $129,187 per year. The job market in Iowa is rated moderate, with key industries including Agriculture, Manufacturing, Finance.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$75.9k
2021
$78.2k
2022
$80.5k
2023
$82.9k
2024
$85.4k
2025
$88.0k
2026
📈 Materials Scientist salaries in Iowa have followed the national trend with 3.0% annual growth. The strong presence in Iowa's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Materials Scientist Salary by City in Iowa
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Des Moines $77,406 -12.0% Medium
🔍
Materials Scientist Job Market in Iowa
Key factors affecting compensation

Iowa is home to a moderate job market for Materials Scientists. The state's key industries — Agriculture, Manufacturing, Finance — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $87,961 per year, Iowa's Materials Scientist salaries are 14.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in Iowa (index: 0.86) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in Iowa can expect to earn $54,636–$72,696, while experienced Materials Scientists can command $113,331–$129,187.

Looking ahead, the Materials Scientist profession in Iowa is projected to grow at 3.0% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Agriculture continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Materials Scientist salary in Iowa is $87,961 per year in 2026, which is 14.0% below the national average of $102,280.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Materials Scientists the highest wages in Iowa due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Iowa has a moderate job market with major industries in Agriculture, Manufacturing, Finance. Opportunities exist in for Materials Scientist employment.
  • At $87,961/year, Iowa Materials Scientist salaries are 14.0% lower than the national average of $102,280/year.