Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
In Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, environmental scientists and specialists, including healths earn $76,220 at the median — $36.65 an hour. The range runs from $54K at the entry level to $100K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.7), which stretches that salary to about $83,119 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,318/month, or 26.3% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $76K get you in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
About environmental scientists and specialists, including healths
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Entry-level environmental scientists and specialists, including healths (10th percentile) start around $54K. Mid-career wages sit at $76K.Top earners bring in $100K or more - a $46K spread from bottom to top.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $122K | +53% | 1,480 |
| California | $98K | +22% | 13,200 |
| Massachusetts | $96K | +20% | 2,890 |
| Oregon | $94K | +17% | 1,400 |
| Rhode Island | $90K | +13% | 370 |
| Illinois | $89K | +11% | 1,330 |
| Washington | $89K | +11% | 4,280 |
| Minnesota | $87K | +9% | 1,980 |
| Alaska | $87K | +9% | 660 |
| Maryland | $82K | +3% | 1,800 |
| Georgia | $82K | +2% | 1,530 |
| Utah | $81K | +2% | 860 |
| Connecticut | $81K | +2% | 680 |
| North Dakota | $81K | +1% | 230 |
| Ohio | $81K | +1% | 2,570 |
Track environmental scientists and specialists, including health 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 environmental scientists and specialists, including healths make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median is $76,220 a year - that works out to about $36.65 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $53,800, and experienced environmental scientists and specialists, including healths can clear $100,030. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $76K enough to live in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,841/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,318/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 27.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a environmental scientists and specialists, including health 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 environmental scientists and specialists, including health salary is worth about $83,119 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do environmental scientists and specialists, including healths 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.