Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Iowa: $56,213 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay sits at $56,213/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2010. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $62,183 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Cedar Rapids ($66,314), Ames ($59,763), Dubuque ($59,021).
In Iowa, the average median salary for medical and clinical laboratory technologists is projected to be $56,213 in 2026, which is 18.2% below the national median of $68,734. There is a significant salary difference across cities, with Cedar Rapids being the highest-paying at $68,330, while Fort Dodge offers the lowest at $51,322, illustrating a gap of $16,008. This disparity can be influenced by the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of job opportunities in specific areas. Iowa has specific state licensing requirements that candidates must meet, along with defined scope of practice laws that can impact job functions and responsibilities. The demand for medical and clinical laboratory technologists is driven by an aging population and the continuous need for diagnostic testing, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 3.04% in this field. With a total of 2,536 employed in this sector, cities such as Ames ($61,580), Dubuque ($60,815), Iowa City ($56,948), and Marion ($54,977) present varying opportunities based on local healthcare infrastructure. This job market outlook signals stable demand for professionals in clinical and medical labs across Iowa.
Iowa Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $32,205 (lowest entry-level) to $93,943 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn 18.22% less than the national median ($-12,521/year difference).
Iowa Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist salaries in Iowa range from $42,076 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $87,717 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $56,213. The Iowa median is $12,521 below the US national median of $68,734. The average hourly rate is $27.03/hr. Approximately 2,536 medical and clinical laboratory technologists are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$46,132
2025 BLS Actual
$54,555
2026 Current Est.
$56,213
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Iowa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,132 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,779 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,904 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,212 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,157 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,631 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,555 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,213 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,922 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 18.3% from $46,132 (2019) to $54,555 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,922 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,790 (25.56%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Iowa
Lowest Paying Cities in Iowa
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fort Dodge | $51,322 |
| Sioux City | $51,728 |
| Johnston | $51,894 |
| Ottumwa | $52,020 |
| Davenport | $52,175 |
Best Value Cities for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for medical and clinical laboratory technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $68,330 | 88.963 | $76,807 |
| Dubuque | $60,815 | 87.328 | $69,640 |
| Ames | $61,580 | 88.83 | $69,323 |
| Iowa City | $56,948 | 91.509 | $62,232 |
| Marion | $54,977 | 90.4 | $60,815 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $42,076 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $56,213 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $87,717 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Iowa metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cedar Rapids | $68,330 |
| 2 | Ames | $61,580 |
| 3 | Dubuque | $60,815 |
| 4 | Iowa City | $56,948 |
| 5 | Marion | $54,977 |
| 6 | Des Moines | $54,873 |
| 7 | Ankeny | $54,335 |
| 8 | West Des Moines | $54,164 |
| 9 | Council Bluffs | $53,994 |
| 10 | Burlington | $53,685 |
| 11 | Waukee | $53,491 |
| 12 | Urbandale | $53,420 |
| 13 | Bettendorf | $53,415 |
| 14 | Cedar Falls | $53,321 |
| 15 | Marshalltown | $53,250 |
| 16 | Coralville | $53,180 |
| 17 | Mason City | $52,934 |
| 18 | North Liberty | $52,727 |
| 19 | Clinton | $52,466 |
| 20 | Muscatine | $52,218 |
| 21 | Waterloo | $52,208 |
| 22 | Davenport | $52,175 |
| 23 | Ottumwa | $52,020 |
| 24 | Johnston | $51,894 |
| 25 | Sioux City | $51,728 |
| 26 | Fort Dodge | $51,322 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical and clinical laboratory technologist hourly pay in Iowa cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new medical and clinical laboratory technologists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.
Explore More Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Iowa in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Iowa?
How does Iowa medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in Iowa?
How many medical and clinical laboratory technologists are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for medical and clinical laboratory technologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.04% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation across Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical and clinical laboratory technologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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