Microbiologists Salary
The median pay for a microbiologists in Iowa is $79,830/year ($38.38/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $67K at the entry level to $138K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.86), which stretches that salary to about $89,838 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,064/month, or 20.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Iowa. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $80K get you in Iowa?
About microbiologists
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What this looks like in Iowa
Microbiologists pay in Iowa tracks closely to the national median, $80K locally vs. $88K nationwide, a 9% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,064/month, 21.1% 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. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Iowa
Entry-level microbiologists (10th percentile) start around $67K. Mid-career wages sit at $80K. Top earners bring in $138K or more, a $71K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track microbiologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Iowa numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a microbiologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Iowa?
Yes — at the median salary of $80K, rent takes 21.1% 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 microbiologists in Iowa?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new microbiologists typically earn — is $67K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,007/month. At HUD’s $1,064/month FMR, rent would take 27% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is microbiologist a high-paying job in Iowa?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $80K locally vs. $88K nationally, a 9% difference.
How does Iowa compare to the national average for microbiologists?
Iowa pays $80K median vs. the U.S. average of $88K — that’s -9%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.86), the purchasing-power equivalent is $90K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do microbiologists make in Iowa?
The median is $79,830 a year, that works out to about $38 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $66,780, and experienced microbiologists can clear $138,090. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $80K enough to live in Iowa?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,035/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,064/month, which eats 21.1% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a microbiologists 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 microbiologists salary is worth about $89,838 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do microbiologists 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.