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Average Food Scientists and Technologists Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

The average salary for Food Scientists and Technologistss in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $66,180. 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. Notably, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is a key hub for this profession, with a job concentration 4.44x higher than average.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $66,180 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 20.4% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $98,940.
  • Outlook: The current demand for Food Scientists and Technologistss is stable, with a local workforce of approximately 170 professionals. This role remains a specialized component of the broader Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA economy.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$66,180

The average Food Scientists and Technologists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA earns-28.7%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$31.8

Weekly

$1,273

Monthly

$5,515

Food Scientists and Technologists Salary Distribution in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

The earning potential for Food Scientists and Technologistss in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA varies significantly by experience level. The salary gap is relatively narrow, suggesting consistent and predictable earnings from entry-level to senior positions. Entry-level roles (10th percentile) typically start around $39,700, while highly experienced professionals can command wages upwards of $98,940.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$39,700$19.1
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$49,635$23.9
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$63,450$30.5
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$82,725$39.8
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$98,940$47.6

Detailed Food Scientists and Technologists Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$66,180

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$66,180

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 $66,180 to $66,180.

Job Market Context

170

Total Jobs

0.414

Per 1K Jobs

4.44

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA has 4.4x the national concentration of Food Scientists and Technologists jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.

170 people work as Food Scientists and Technologists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA.

Only 0.414 out of every 1,000 local jobs are Food Scientists and Technologists roles — this is a niche profession in the area.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Food Scientists and Technologists

Comparing salaries near Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Hiring Food Scientists and Technologistss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Food Scientists and Technologists make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?

The median annual salary for a Food Scientists and Technologists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $66,180. This typically ranges from $39,700 for entry-level positions to $98,940 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 28.7% lower than the national median of $92,790.

Is Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA a good place for Food Scientists and Technologistss?

Yes, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is highly recommended due to strong job demand. While salaries are competitive ($66,180), the area is particularly notable for its high job density for Food Scientists and Technologistss. See distinct detailed breakdown below.

Is Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA a good place to live for Food Scientists and Technologists?

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 Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area ($66,540) and Northwest 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 170 employees in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA area with a job density of 0.414 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.