Entry-Level Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Cedar Rapids, IA: $44,137 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical and clinical laboratory technologists entering the Cedar Rapids, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $44,137 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2010, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Cedar Rapids's local price level (BEA RPP 89.0 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $49,613 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($68,330) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
A starting position for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Cedar Rapids can expect an entry-level salary around $44,137 in 2026, which comes in substantially lower than the city’s median annual salary of $68,330 for the profession. New graduates should realistically anticipate a pay scale that begins at this lower threshold but can increase as they gain experience — moving up to approximately $52,657 within a few years, and possibly reaching the city’s median as they approach the five-year mark. Given Cedar Rapids’ current entry-level pay, which is slightly below the national average of $68,734, the market still appears favorable for new professionals, allowing room for growth and development in this essential healthcare sector.
Career Earnings Timeline in Cedar Rapids
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Rapids
Entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Cedar Rapids, IA typically start between $44,137 and $52,657 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $43,765 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $68,330 — 0.59% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average clinical laboratory science program cost in Iowa of $44,000 represents just 99.69% of the starting medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay ($44,137/year) in Cedar Rapids. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on NAACLS-accredited MLS bachelor's programs and state university tuition data. The role is sometimes called Medical Technologist (MT) or Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS); BLS aggregates these under the broader OCC 29-2010 'Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians' group code, which also covers MLT (associate-degree technicians, OCC 29-2012). National data and state-level wages reflect the combined group, since the 2024 BLS national OEWS file does not separately publish 29-2011 (Technologists) and 29-2012 (Technicians) at the national level.
MLS Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Cedar Rapids
- 1Research the Cedar Rapids market: entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay ranges from $44,137 to $52,657, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the clinical laboratory science field — employers in IA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Cedar Rapids, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Cedar Rapids for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Cedar Rapids's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Compensation Range
The medical and clinical laboratory technologist wage spread in Cedar Rapids is $43,765 ( 99.16%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $44,137, experienced hygienists can earn up to $87,902.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$27,080
2025 BLS Actual
$42,835
2026 Current Est.
$44,137
2019–2027 Growth
+67.9%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Cedar Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,410 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,835 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,137 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,479 | Projected |
Entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Cedar Rapids, IA grew 58.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $27,080 in 2019 to $42,835 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $45,479. New graduates entering the Cedar Rapids job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.04% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your clinical laboratory science Career in Cedar Rapids
Employers in Cedar Rapids that frequently hire new graduates include major hospital systems and corporate healthcare practices that offer structured training programs. These organizations often support early-career professionals with robust onboarding processes, positioning entry-level technologists for success. To enhance starting pay, obtaining state licensure is essential, along with pursuing optional certifications recognized nationally, which can validate expertise and potentially lead to higher salaries. During the initial one to three years, new graduates in Iowa should aim for consistent annual progress, with growth expectations tied to employer type and credential acquisition. This reflects a broader industry context where compensation varies widely based on these factors, preparing new grads for a sustainable career trajectory in medical and clinical laboratory technology.
More salary data for Cedar Rapids, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Alexandra Choi, MS, MT(ASCP)
Career Analyst
Alexandra has 10 years of experience in clinical laboratory science. She specializes in molecular diagnostics. She works at a large metropolitan hospital.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new clinical laboratory science graduates. A 3.04% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Cedar Rapids. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.04%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical and clinical laboratory technologists (SOC 29-2010).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Choi, MS, MT(ASCP), a licensed medical and clinical laboratory technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov