Average Biological Scientists, All Other Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
The average salary for Biological Scientists, All Others in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $83,560. While this is lower than the national average, the cost of living in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA may offset the difference, preserving real purchasing power.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $83,560 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 13.9% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $113,380.
- Outlook: The current demand for Biological Scientists, All Others is stable, with a local workforce of approximately 140 professionals. This role remains a specialized component of the broader Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA economy.
Salary Overview
The average Biological Scientists, All Other in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA earns-20.9%below the national average.
$40.2
$1,607
$6,963
Biological Scientists, All Other Salary Trends (2020-2024)
Over the past 4 years, Biological Scientists, All Other salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA have shown healthy growth of 13.9%. This positive trajectory often correlates with increased demand and a favorable future outlook for the profession.
Biological Scientists, All Other Salary Distribution in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
The earning potential for Biological Scientists, All Others in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA varies significantly by experience level. There is a substantial income gap, with top earners (90th percentile) making over 2.8x the starting salary. This indicates strong career progression opportunities. Entry-level roles (10th percentile) typically start around $39,870, while highly experienced professionals can command wages upwards of $113,380.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $39,870 | $19.2 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $62,670 | $30.1 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $91,710 | $44.1 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $104,450 | $50.2 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $113,380 | $54.5 |
Detailed Biological Scientists, All Other Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$83,560
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$83,560
Adjusted for COL (100)
In Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, the Cost of Living Index is 100. This increases your effective purchasing power from $83,560 to $83,560.
Job Market Context
140
Total Jobs
0.357
Per 1K Jobs
0.92
Location Quotient
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA has 0.92x the national average concentration of Biological Scientists, All Other jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.
140 people work as Biological Scientists, All Other in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA.
Only 0.357 out of every 1,000 local jobs are Biological Scientists, All Other roles — this is a niche profession in the area.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Biological Scientists, All Other
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA Biological Scientists, All Other Salary | $86,880↑ 4% | 31 mi |
| Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area Biological Scientists, All Other Salary | $78,850↓ 6% | 37 mi |
| Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area Biological Scientists, All Other Salary | $78,220↓ 6% | 37 mi |
Comparing salaries near Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Hiring Biological Scientists, All Others?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Biological Scientists, All Other make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median annual salary for a Biological Scientists, All Other in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $83,560. This typically ranges from $39,870 for entry-level positions to $113,380 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is 20.9% lower than the national median of $105,580.
Is Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA a good place for Biological Scientists, All Others?
It depends on your priorities. While the average Biological Scientists, All Other salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $83,560 (below the national average), the area may offer a lower cost of living or other lifestyle benefits typical of Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA. See distinct detailed breakdown below.
Is Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA a good place to live for Biological Scientists, All Others?
The Cost of Living Index in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Some top paying nearby cities include Ames, IA ($86,880) and Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 140 employees in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA area with a job density of 0.357 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
Explore Biological Scientists, All Other Salaries by State
Top Jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- All Occupations Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Sales and Related Occupations Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Business and Financial Operations Occupations Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Management Occupations Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Educational Instruction and Library Occupations Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Construction and Extraction Occupations Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
- Browse All Jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA →
Semantic Salary Analysis for Biological Scientists, All Other • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA