Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists Salary
The median pay for a medical scientists, except epidemiologists in Iowa is $83,850/year ($40.31/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $60K at the entry level to $142K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.86), which stretches that salary to about $94,362 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,064/month, or 20.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Iowa. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $84K get you in Iowa?
About medical scientists, except epidemiologists
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What this looks like in Iowa
Pay for medical scientists, except epidemiologists in Iowa runs about 19% below the U.S. median of $103K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,064/month, 20.3% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.86 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Lower pay, lower costs, Iowa can be a reasonable trade-off for medical scientists, except epidemiologistss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Iowa
Entry-level medical scientists, except epidemiologists (10th percentile) start around $60K. Mid-career wages sit at $84K. Top earners bring in $142K or more, a $83K spread from bottom to top.
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary by metro in Iowa
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $99K | +18% | 50 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $95K | +14% | 140 |
| Ames | $94K | +12% | 110 |
| Iowa City | $82K | -3% | 470 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $69K | -17% | 70 |
Compare to other states
Track medical scientists, except epidemiologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Iowa numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a medical scientists, except epidemiologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Iowa?
Yes — at the median salary of $84K, rent takes 20.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,064/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for medical scientists, except epidemiologists in Iowa?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new medical scientists, except epidemiologists typically earn — is $60K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,575/month. At HUD’s $1,064/month FMR, rent would take 30% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is medical scientists, except epidemiologist a high-paying job in Iowa?
Local pay runs 19% below the national median — $84K here vs. $103K nationally. Cost of living is 11% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Iowa compare to the national average for medical scientists, except epidemiologists?
Iowa pays $84K median vs. the U.S. average of $103K — that’s -19%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.86), the purchasing-power equivalent is $94K — below the national median.
How much do medical scientists, except epidemiologists make in Iowa?
The median is $83,850 a year, that works out to about $40 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $59,580, and experienced medical scientists, except epidemiologists can clear $142,140. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $84K enough to live in Iowa?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,252/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,064/month, which eats 20.3% 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 Iowa?
Iowa has a Regional Price Parity of 88.86 (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 $94,362 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.