Biological Technicians Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
In Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, biological technicians earn $50,640 at the median — $24.35 an hour. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $73K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.7), which stretches that salary to about $55,224 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,318/month — about 39.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $51K get you in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
About biological technicians
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Entry-level biological technicians (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $51K.Top earners bring in $73K or more - a $33K spread from bottom to top.
Biological Technicians pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $65K | +25% | 8,610 |
| Connecticut | $65K | +25% | 700 |
| California | $64K | +23% | 10,680 |
| New Jersey | $63K | +22% | 1,610 |
| New York | $59K | +13% | 5,040 |
| Tennessee | $59K | +13% | 1,380 |
| District of Columbia | $56K | +8% | 200 |
| Delaware | $56K | +7% | 160 |
| Alaska | $54K | +4% | 510 |
| Louisiana | $54K | +3% | 170 |
| Washington | $53K | +1% | 4,140 |
| New Hampshire | $52K | -0% | 360 |
| Arizona | $52K | -0% | 870 |
| Iowa | $51K | -1% | 820 |
| Utah | $51K | -3% | 870 |
Track biological technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Des Moines-West Des Moines numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do biological technicians make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median is $50,640 a year - that works out to about $24.35 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $39,850, and experienced biological technicians can clear $73,150. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $51K enough to live in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,356/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,318/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 39.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a biological technicians salary go in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
Des Moines-West Des Moines has a Regional Price Parity of 91.7 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median biological technicians salary is worth about $55,224 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do biological technicians get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.