Investigate the properties and composition of matter to develop new products and materials. Median salary in Des Moines: $72K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.
Figures represent annual base salary in Des Moines, Iowa. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →
Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.
Chemists in Des Moines earn approximately 10% lower than the US national median for this role — a $8,000 discount on annual base salary. Des Moines's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 88 (US avg = 100).
Average 1-bedroom rent in Des Moines ($1,150/mo) consumes approximately 29% of an after-tax median Chemist salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home — a salary at the 75th percentile ($97K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.
Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $72K by 2030.
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The median Chemist salary in Des Moines, IA is $72,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Des Moines–IA metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.
Entry-level Chemists in Des Moines with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $52,000 and $72,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $72,000 to $97,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $97,000 to $128,000 or more.
Des Moines has a cost of living index of 88 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 12% further in Des Moines than the national average. Iowa has a 4.82% state income tax rate.
Bachelor's or PhD in Chemistry. 22% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.