Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Ames, IA: $61,580 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Ames, IA earns a median $61,580/year (≈ $29.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Ames's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $69,323 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.1% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Ames, IA, the current job market for medical and clinical laboratory technologists shows promising figures, with 110 professionals employed in this sector. The projected median salary stands at $61,580 for 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $68,734. Notably, compensation for these positions ranges from $42,673 at the lower end to $82,059 at the higher end. These figures, derived from official 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, reflect the evolving landscape of healthcare roles within the region. Despite the potential for higher salaries at the national level, local demand for skilled technologists remains strong, indicating stable opportunities in Ames's healthcare environment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,673 | $20.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,544 | $23.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,580 | $29.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,901 | $34.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,059 | $39.45 |
Median Salary Position
10.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ames
In Ames, IA, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,386 (2026 est.). At $61,580, the local median is 10.41% below the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ames: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ames Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Ames median: $61,580/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ames Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $55,931 | +10.10% more |
| National Average | $68,734 | -10.41% less |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Ames, IA earn a median of $61,580 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.41% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 10.10% above the Iowa state average of $55,931.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ames has a cost of living 11.17% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ames, IA has a cost-of-living index of 88.83 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $61,580 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,323 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.57% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,310
2025 BLS Actual
$59,763
2026 Current Est.
$61,580
2019–2027 Growth
+31.3%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Ames (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,350 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,860 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,763 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,580 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,452 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ames metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 23.7% from $48,310 (2019) to $59,763 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,452 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,142 (31.34%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ames 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $42,673 – $49,544 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,544 – $61,580 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,580 – $71,901 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,901 – $82,059 |
MLS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Job Market in Ames
Looking deeper into the dynamics of medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in Ames, one must consider the area's lower cost of living index, which sits at 88.83, indicating that housing and other expenses may be more manageable than in other regions. This can enhance take-home purchasing power for those in the field. Employers in large healthcare organizations generally offer more competitive salaries compared to community health centers or private practices. Factors influencing the variance in compensation include shift differentials, specialty credentials, and the overall benefits package. For those aiming to optimize their earnings, acquiring additional certifications or seeking employment with larger healthcare entities might provide a pathway to increased financial reward in Ames, IA.
More salary data for Ames, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $59,763 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Ames metropolitan area. A 3.04% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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