Science & Research Iowa City, IA Pop. 74,828

Physicist Salary in Iowa City, Iowa

The median physicist salary in Iowa City, IA is $144,809 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 6.7% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$144,809
vs State Avg
+$9,146
vs National
$-7,621
Cost of Living
95%

Physicist Salary in Iowa City by Experience

In Iowa City, an entry-level physicist earns around $77,900, while experienced professionals earn up to $209,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$77,900
$-4,100 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$147,250
$-7,750 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$209,000
$-11,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Iowa City, IA

Percentile Iowa City
10th Percentile $74,100
25th Percentile $102,600
Median (50th) $144,809
75th Percentile $185,250
90th Percentile $226,100

Physicist Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Des Moines, IA
$140,236
Pop. 214,133
Cedar Rapids, IA
$134,138
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$131,090
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$128,041
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Physicist in Iowa City

Education

Most physicist positions require a doctoral degree. Iowa City and the surrounding Iowa area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Mathematical ModelingExperimental PhysicsPython/MATLABData AnalysisScientific WritingLaboratory Equipment

Job Outlook

Nationally, physicist employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Iowa City may vary based on local industry and population growth.