Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay in Council Bluffs, IA: $25.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working in Council Bluffs, IA runs $25.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,994 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Weighted against Council Bluffs's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,393 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Council Bluffs, Iowa, the projected hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist is $25.96, which is considerably lower than the national hourly median of $33.05. This difference can significantly impact those looking for part-time or per-diem work, with roles typically available in hospitals, diagnostic labs, and healthcare facilities. For example, working three days a week at this hourly rate would yield around $40,000 annually for those who work a typical 24-hour week. Within the city, hourly rates span from $16.06 at the entry-level (P10) to $40.24 for the top earners in the field (P90), reflecting a variation that indicates not just skill levels but also the demands of specific employers.
About the Council Bluffs Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.06 | $128.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.55 | $156.37 |
| Median (P50) | $25.96 | $207.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.23 | $265.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.24 | $321.90 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Council Bluffs
Based on $25.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.96/hr, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Council Bluffs, IA can expect to earn approximately $53,988 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,147. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Council Bluffs.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Council Bluffs
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,038.23 | $4,499 | $53,988 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $622.94 | $2,699 | $32,393 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $415.29 | $1,800 | $21,595 |
Compare MLS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist (Council Bluffs) | $25.96 |
| 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 Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $53,994 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.44% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $55,894.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.96/hr = $32,393/year (purchasing power: $35,833).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,988/year (purchasing power: $59,721).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Council Bluffs grew 18.5% from $21.26/hr (2019) to $25.19/hr (2025). At a 3.04% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.74/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 Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs
For part-time medical and clinical laboratory technologists, the annual earnings at $25.96 per hour contrasts sharply with full-time roles, particularly when considering the benefits that some positions offer. Professionals opting for per-diem work in Council Bluffs may earn significant premiums—between 10% to 25% above typical staff pay—due to the flexible and often unpredictable nature of these assignments. Variation in hourly rates also depends greatly on the type of employer; for instance, large healthcare organizations may provide more stable pay compared to community health centers or private practices. Many technologists face the trade-off between a lower hourly wage with benefits and a higher hourly rate without corporate perks. As negotiations unfold, it’s wise to highlight your unique skills and experiences, while researching going rates across different employment settings to maximize your earning potential as you navigate your career in Council Bluffs.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Council Bluffs in 2026?
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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 Council Bluffs. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Council Bluffs is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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