Agriculture & Environment Des Moines, IA Pop. 214,133

Agricultural Scientist Salary in Des Moines, Iowa

The median agricultural scientist salary in Des Moines, IA is $68,227 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 3.4% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$68,227
vs State Avg
+$2,225
vs National
$-5,933
Cost of Living
92%

Agricultural Scientist Pay in Des Moines: What to Expect (2026)

Des Moines offers a median agricultural scientist salary of $68,227, which is $2,225 above the Iowa state average of $66,002. Compared to the national median of $74,160, Des Moines pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Des Moines's cost of living is 92% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for agricultural scientists in Des Moines spans from $40,480 at the 10th percentile to $112,240 at the 90th percentile — a $71,760 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $44,160, while senior agricultural scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $105,800. With a population of 214,133, Des Moines is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Agricultural Scientist Salary in Des Moines by Experience

In Des Moines, an entry-level agricultural scientist earns around $44,160, while experienced professionals earn up to $105,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$44,160
$-3,840 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$69,920
$-6,080 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$105,800
$-9,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Des Moines, IA

Percentile Des Moines
10th Percentile $40,480
25th Percentile $51,520
Median (50th) $68,227
75th Percentile $90,160
90th Percentile $112,240

Agricultural Scientist Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$70,452
Pop. 74,828
Cedar Rapids, IA
$65,261
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$63,778
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$62,294
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Agricultural Scientist in Des Moines

Education

Most agricultural scientist positions require a bachelor's degree. Des Moines and the surrounding Iowa area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

AgronomyResearch MethodsData AnalysisSoil ScienceGeneticsScientific Writing

Job Outlook

Nationally, agricultural scientist employment is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Des Moines may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Agricultural Scientist Jobs in Des Moines

Browse open agricultural scientist positions in Des Moines, IA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Agricultural Scientist Salary in Des Moines

How much does a Agricultural Scientist make in Des Moines, IA? ▼
The median agricultural scientist salary in Des Moines, Iowa is $68,227 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $74,160. Salaries range from $40,480 (10th percentile) to $112,240 (90th percentile).
How much does a Agricultural Scientist make per hour in Des Moines? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $68,227, a agricultural scientist in Des Moines earns approximately $33 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Des Moines compare to the Iowa state average for agricultural scientist pay? ▼
Des Moines's median agricultural scientist salary of $68,227 is 3.4% above the Iowa state average of $66,002. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Des Moines, IA? ▼
Des Moines has a cost of living index of 92% compared to the national average. This means a agricultural scientist salary of $68,227 in Des Moines has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a agricultural scientist in Des Moines? ▼
Most agricultural scientist positions in Des Moines require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Agronomy, Research Methods, Data Analysis, Soil Science. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.