Entry-level Molecular and Cellular Biologist salary in Iowa, IA
Based on 16 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the Iowa City, IA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Iowa City, Coralville.
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $61,008 |
| 25th | $61,770 |
| 50th (median) | $62,116 |
| 75th | $63,120 |
| 90th | $67,056 |
Cost of living
Iowa's median entry-level Molecular and Cellular Biologist salary of $62,116 is worth about $67,900 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Iowa = 91.5).
Compared with all workers here
All Molecular and Cellular Biologists in the Iowa, IA area earned a median of $80,100 in May 2025 (80 employed). The H-1B median here is $62,116, 22% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| The University of Iowa | $62,116 | 16 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $62,116 | 16 |
| Mid-level · Level II | – | 0 |
| Senior · Level III | – | 0 |
| Expert · Level IV | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $53,851 | $62,116 | 16 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.