Physicists in Iowa. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
Salary distribution
Where Iowa physicists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $104,970 and $218,520, with a median of $178,110.
Physicists in Iowa: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 5 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $67,018. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 5 | $67,018 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Physicists in Iowa. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Iowa | Postdoctoral Research Scholar | 3 | $67,018 |
| Iowa State University of Science and Technology | Postdoctoral Research Associate | 2 | $66,009 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Postdoctoral Research Scholar at The University of Iowa$67,018Iowa CityWage Level IDecided Feb 2, 2026I-200-26026-589804
- Postdoctoral Research Associate at Iowa State University of Science and Technology$67,018AmesWage Level IDecided Dec 3, 2025I-200-25329-436011
- Postdoctoral Research Scholar at The University of Iowa$67,018Iowa CityWage Level IDecided Jan 23, 2026I-200-26015-562667
- Research Scientist II at Iowa State University of Science and Technology$65,000AmesWage Level IDecided May 1, 2025I-200-25114-901204
- Postdoctoral Research Scholar at The University of Iowa$62,878Iowa CityWage Level IDecided Oct 8, 2024I-200-24275-376416
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Physicists pay by experience level in Iowa
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Iowa over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Physics
Knowledge
- 4.8 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.8 / 5
Mathematical Reasoning
Ability
- 4.6 / 5
Science
Basic skill
- 4.5 / 5
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Mathematics
Basic skill
- 4.3 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Perform complex calculations as part of the analysis and evaluation of data, using computers.
- 02
Analyze data from research conducted to detect and measure physical phenomena.
- 03
Describe and express observations and conclusions in mathematical terms.
- 04
Design computer simulations to model physical data so that it can be better understood.
- 05
Write research proposals to receive funding.
- 06
Teach physics to students.
- 07
Report experimental results by writing papers for scientific journals or by presenting information at scientific conferences.
- 08
Conduct research pertaining to potential environmental impacts of atomic energy-related industrial development to determine licensing qualifications.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.1%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Physicists in Iowa?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Physicists in Iowa is $178,110.
- How does Iowa compare to the national median for Physicists?
- The Iowa median is +7.3% versus the BLS national figure of $166,057.
- What is the salary range for Physicists in Iowa?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $83,830 and the 90th-percentile at $292,990, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Physicists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.1% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Physicists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.