Technology Iowa City, IA Pop. 74,828

Data Scientist Salary in Iowa City, Iowa

The median data scientist salary in Iowa City, IA is $99,378 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 7.0% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$99,378
vs State Avg
+$6,481
vs National
$-8,642
Cost of Living
95%

Data Scientist Pay in Iowa City: What to Expect (2026)

Iowa City offers a median data scientist salary of $99,378, which is $6,481 above the Iowa state average of $92,897. Compared to the national median of $108,020, Iowa City pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Iowa City's cost of living is 95% 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 data scientists in Iowa City spans from $56,488 at the 10th percentile to $163,944 at the 90th percentile — a $107,456 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $66,240, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $151,800. Iowa City is a smaller market (pop. 74,828), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Data Scientist Salary in Iowa City by Experience

In Iowa City, an entry-level data scientist earns around $66,240, while experienced professionals earn up to $151,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$66,240
$-5,760 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$103,040
$-8,960 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$151,800
$-13,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Iowa City, IA

Percentile Iowa City
10th Percentile $56,488
25th Percentile $77,464
Median (50th) $99,378
75th Percentile $129,720
90th Percentile $163,944

Data Scientist Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Des Moines, IA
$96,138
Pop. 214,133
Cedar Rapids, IA
$91,817
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$89,657
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$87,496
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Data Scientist in Iowa City

Education

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

Key Skills

PythonRSQLMachine LearningStatisticsData Visualization

Job Outlook

Nationally, data scientist employment is projected to grow 35% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Iowa City may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Data Scientist Jobs in Iowa City

Browse open data scientist positions in Iowa City, IA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in Iowa City

How much does a Data Scientist make in Iowa City, IA? ▼
The median data scientist salary in Iowa City, Iowa is $99,378 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $56,488 (10th percentile) to $163,944 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in Iowa City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $99,378, a data scientist in Iowa City earns approximately $48 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Iowa City compare to the Iowa state average for data scientist pay? ▼
Iowa City's median data scientist salary of $99,378 is 7.0% above the Iowa state average of $92,897. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Iowa City, IA? ▼
Iowa City has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a data scientist salary of $99,378 in Iowa City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in Iowa City? ▼
Most data scientist positions in Iowa City require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, R, SQL, Machine Learning. The job market is projected to grow 35% nationally over the next decade.