Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists Salary
The median pay for a medical scientists, except epidemiologists in Ames, IA is $93,720/year ($45.06/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $58K at the entry level to $167K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.83), which stretches that salary to about $105,505 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,153/month, or 19.5% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $94K get you in Ames?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Ames’s Regional Price Parity (88.83). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About medical scientists, except epidemiologists
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What this looks like in Ames
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists pay in Ames tracks closely to the national median, $94K locally vs. $103K nationwide, a 9% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,153/month, 19.9% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.83 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for medical scientists, except epidemiologists in metros near Ames, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City | $82K | $89K |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $95K | $104K |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $69K | $78K |
| Cedar Rapids | $99K | $111K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Ames, IA
Entry-level medical scientists, except epidemiologists (10th percentile) start around $58K. Mid-career wages sit at $94K. Top earners bring in $167K or more, a $109K spread from bottom to top.
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $137K | +32% | 29,830 |
| New Jersey | $129K | +25% | 6,120 |
| Massachusetts | $128K | +24% | 17,100 |
| Connecticut | $117K | +13% | 2,410 |
| Arizona | $117K | +13% | 2,190 |
| Oregon | $111K | +7% | 1,030 |
| Maryland | $106K | +3% | 6,760 |
| Washington | $106K | +2% | 6,150 |
| Alaska | $105K | +1% | 260 |
| Rhode Island | $103K | -0% | 670 |
| North Carolina | $103K | -0% | 5,730 |
| Tennessee | $103K | -1% | 4,020 |
| Missouri | $103K | -1% | 3,650 |
| Montana | $102K | -1% | 320 |
| District of Columbia | $102K | -1% | 670 |
| New Hampshire | $101K | -3% | 210 |
| Delaware | $100K | -3% | 270 |
| Pennsylvania | $99K | -4% | 12,630 |
| Nevada | $99K | -5% | 530 |
| Florida | $95K | -8% | 6,490 |
| Maine | $94K | -9% | 100 |
| Virginia | $94K | -9% | 4,560 |
| Georgia | $92K | -11% | 1,910 |
| Minnesota | $90K | -13% | 6,760 |
| New York | $88K | -15% | 7,690 |
| Kansas | $84K | -18% | 1,070 |
| Michigan | $84K | -18% | 2,370 |
| Ohio | $84K | -19% | 4,840 |
| Iowa | $84K | -19% | 1,060 |
| Idaho | $83K | -20% | 380 |
| Utah | $83K | -20% | 1,560 |
| West Virginia | $83K | -20% | 330 |
| Wisconsin | $83K | -20% | 2,970 |
| Illinois | $82K | -20% | 4,700 |
| Indiana | $81K | -22% | 2,010 |
| Nebraska | $81K | -22% | 620 |
| South Dakota | $81K | -22% | 140 |
| Texas | $80K | -22% | 11,920 |
| Kentucky | $78K | -25% | 670 |
| Oklahoma | $76K | -26% | 920 |
| Arkansas | $73K | -30% | 230 |
| Alabama | $68K | -34% | N/A |
| New Mexico | $67K | -35% | 340 |
| Vermont | $67K | -36% | 110 |
| North Dakota | $64K | -38% | 250 |
| Mississippi | $54K | -48% | 440 |
Showing 1–10 of 46 states with published data
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track medical scientists, except epidemiologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Ames numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a medical scientists, except epidemiologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Ames?
Yes — at the median salary of $94K, rent takes 19.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,153/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for medical scientists, except epidemiologists in Ames?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new medical scientists, except epidemiologists typically earn — is $58K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,508/month. At HUD’s $1,153/month FMR, rent would take 33% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is medical scientists, except epidemiologist a high-paying job in Ames?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $94K locally vs. $103K nationally, a 9% difference.
How does Ames compare to the national average for medical scientists, except epidemiologists?
Ames pays $94K median vs. the U.S. average of $103K — that’s -9%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.83), the purchasing-power equivalent is $106K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do medical scientists, except epidemiologists make in Ames, IA?
The median is $93,720 a year, that works out to about $45 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $58,460, and experienced medical scientists, except epidemiologists can clear $167,250. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $94K enough to live in Ames?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,783/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,153/month, which eats 19.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a medical scientists, except epidemiologists salary go in Ames?
Ames has a Regional Price Parity of 88.83 (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 medical scientists, except epidemiologists salary is worth about $105,505 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do medical scientists, except epidemiologists 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.