Geoscientist Salary in Iowa
Based on 40+ workers in Iowa
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (IA)
$74,460
$35.80/hr
vs National Average
$90,668
-17.9% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$62K – $96K
40 employed in Iowa
Salary Distribution — Geoscientist in Iowa
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $61,730 |
| 25th percentile | $63,500 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $74,460 |
| 75th percentile | $89,670 |
| 90th percentile | $95,540 |
Top-Paying Industries for Geoscientist (U.S.)
Which industries pay Geoscientists the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Geoscientists in Iowa tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $168,680 | 910 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $158,590 | 4K |
| Utilities | $133,170 | 120 |
| Manufacturing | $131,040 | 110 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $122,390 | 30 |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Geoscientist in Iowa vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Iowa) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $74,460 |
| 2026 (projected) | $76,694 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Iowa Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $74,460 | $90,668 |
| 2026 (projected) | $76,694 | $93,388 |
Geoscientist Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $63,500 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $74,460 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $89,670 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $95,540 |
Geoscientist Salary in Other States
Related Geoscientist Salaries in Iowa
How other high-demand occupations in Iowa compare to Geoscientist ($74,460 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Geoscientist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physicist in IA | $178,110 | +139.2% | $85.63/hr |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist in IA | $101,090 | +35.8% | $48.60/hr |
| Psychologist in IA | $91,690 | +23.1% | $44.08/hr |
| Chemist in IA | $86,100 | +15.6% | $41.39/hr |
| Medical Scientist in IA | $83,850 | +12.6% | $40.31/hr |
| Urban and Regional Planner in IA | $79,100 | +6.2% | $38.03/hr |
| Environmental Scientist in IA | $78,780 | +5.8% | $37.88/hr |
| Police Officer in IA | $74,470 | +0.0% | $35.80/hr |
| Respiratory Therapist in IA | $74,760 | +0.4% | $35.94/hr |
| Instructional Coordinator in IA | $74,970 | +0.7% | $36.04/hr |
| Compliance Officer in IA | $75,620 | +1.6% | $36.36/hr |
| Dietitian and Nutritionist in IA | $72,690 | -2.4% | $34.95/hr |