Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay in Cedar Rapids, IA: $32.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working in Cedar Rapids, IA runs $32.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,330 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Weighted against Cedar Rapids's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.0, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,996 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cedar Rapids, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist hourly pay is projected to be $32.85 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $33.05. This hourly rate can translate well for part-time professionals working three days a week, yielding significant earnings, especially as many facilities operate on a flexible schedule. Entry-level technologists can expect to earn around $21.23 per hour, while those at the top end of the spectrum may command up to $42.26 per hour. Such figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, indicate a solid job market for those pursuing a career in laboratory settings across healthcare institutions in Cedar Rapids.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.23 | $169.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.32 | $202.54 |
| Median (P50) | $32.85 | $262.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.66 | $269.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.26 | $338.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cedar Rapids
Based on $32.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.85/hr, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cedar Rapids, IA can expect to earn approximately $68,326 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,419. With a cost-of-living index of 88.96 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cedar Rapids.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cedar Rapids
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,313.97 | $5,694 | $68,326 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $788.38 | $3,416 | $40,996 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $525.59 | $2,278 | $27,330 |
Compare MLS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist (Cedar Rapids) | $32.85 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Cytotechnologist (National Avg) | $40.35 |
| Histotechnologist (National Avg) | $30.58 |
| Microbiologist (National Avg) | $41.56 |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Cedar Rapids, IA earn a median of $68,330 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.59% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 22.20% above the Iowa state average of $55,916.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.85/hr = $40,996/year (purchasing power: $46,082).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,326/year (purchasing power: $76,803).
CoL index: 88.963 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+68.9%
Hourly Rate 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 | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Cedar Rapids grew 59.1% from $20.04/hr (2019) to $31.88/hr (2025). At a 3.04% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.85/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical and clinical laboratory technologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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.
Working as an Hourly Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist in Cedar Rapids
For those considering part-time work as medical and clinical laboratory technologists, earning potential can vary significantly. A professional working 24 hours weekly might take home significantly less annually than a full-time employee, but they gain the flexibility that may suit their lifestyle. Per diem medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in Cedar Rapids often includes a premium of 10-25% over regular hourly rates, allowing for higher income in a more erratic schedule. Rates can differ among various employer types in the area—private practices might pay less than large healthcare organizations or specialty clinics. It's essential for technologists to weigh the benefits of lower hourly wages in exchange for health insurance and job stability versus the allure of higher pay without benefits. Negotiating effectively can lead to more favorable terms, possible sign-on bonuses, or adjustments based on prior experience, which is vital in Cedar Rapids’s diverse healthcare landscape.
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.04% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Cedar Rapids. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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