PermanentPosted 24 days ago
Medical Laboratory Scientist
CommonSpirit Health · Council Bluffs, IA
$29.36–$43.68/ hour
Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in Ames, IA
Pay for medical laboratory scientists in the Ames area centers on $25.25 per hour, or about $52,520 a year. The lower quarter earns under $21.57 and the upper quarter over $30.66. That ranks 246th of 355 U.S. metro areas for medical laboratory scientist pay, and 196th of 317 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 1 hospital in Ames. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Ames.
- $25.25median pay per hour, Ames
- $22–$31typical range per hour
- 130employed in the metro area
- 89cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Medical Laboratory Scientist pay in Ames, IA
The metro median is 4% below the Iowa statewide median of $26.23 per hour. Nationally the median is $29.75 per hour. BLS counts about 130 clinical laboratory technologists and technicians employed in the Ames metro area, 2.3 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is about as concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.03).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $19.43 | $40,410 | 35% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $21.57 | $44,870 | 27% below U.S. median |
| Median | $25.25 | $52,520 | 15% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $30.66 | $63,770 | 3% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $34.75 | $72,280 | 17% above U.S. median |
How Ames ranks
- 246th of 355 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 196th of 317 after adjusting for local prices
- 3rd of 8 Iowa metro areas
BLS does not publish a separate figure for medical laboratory scientist. These numbers are for the broader category it belongs to, Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians (SOC 29-2010), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Ames
- Overall prices in Ames run 11% below the U.S. average (index 88.8, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 31% below the U.S. average (index 69.2).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $25.25 median hour buys what $28.43 buys at the national price level, 4% below the national median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Get the Ames Medical Laboratory Scientist pay report
Named employers near Ames, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Ames paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$909
- Per year: $45,450
- Per month: $3,788
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Ames metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Ames
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $110 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $68 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,246 |
| 13-week assignment | $16,198 |
Travel medical laboratory scientist assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.
Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).
Open Medical Laboratory Scientist roles in Iowa
Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Ames as they open.
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20+ more Medical Laboratory Scientist roles for you in Iowa
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Hospitals in Ames
CMS lists 1 hospital in Ames, 1 of the 1 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of medical laboratory scientists.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mary Greeley Medical Center Ames, IA | Acute care | Government and federal | 4 of 5 | Yes |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Medical Laboratory Scientist pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ankeny, IA | 20 mi | $23.82/hr | 76,727 |
| Des Moines, IA | 31 mi | $23.82/hr | 213,096 |
| West Des Moines, IA | 34 mi | $23.82/hr | 73,664 |
| Waterloo, IA | 72 mi | $21.89/hr | 67,477 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 100 mi | $28.88/hr | 137,904 |
| Iowa City, IA | 111 mi | $24.19/hr | 76,710 |
Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in Iowa · Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Iowa
Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science or a related science. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Iowa requires for your role with the Iowa licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
Iowa taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Ames
Ames city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do medical laboratory scientists make in Ames, IA?
Medical Laboratory Scientists in the Ames metro area have a median pay of $25.25 per hour, about $52,520 a year. The middle half earn between $21.57 and $30.66 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Ames a good place for medical laboratory scientists once cost of living is counted?
Ames ranks 196th of 317 metro areas for medical laboratory scientist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 246th of 355 before adjusting. Overall prices run 11% below the U.S. average.
Where do medical laboratory scientists work in Ames?
CMS lists 1 hospital in Ames, led by Mary Greeley Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Iowa license to work in Ames as a medical laboratory scientist?
Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science or a related science. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Iowa requires for your role with the Iowa licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Ames?
The federal per diem benchmark in Ames is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.
Does Valorem Health place medical laboratory scientists in Ames?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Ames and across Iowa. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Ames.
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What do employers near Ames pay medical laboratory scientists? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other employers
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
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20+ Medical Laboratory Scientist roles in Iowa, sent free by email
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Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]
Your Lab Scientist pay reportAmes, IA · employer-reported wage offers in federal filings, July 2025 – June 2026
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Northwest Iowa Hospital CorporationSioux City, IA · 6 wage offers$34.53/ hr$28–$36
- Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, Inc.West Burlington, IA · 5 wage offers$34.01/ hr$31–$35
- St. Luke's Methodist HospitalCedar Rapids, IA · 2 wage offers$33.17/ hr$31–$35
- Catholic Health Initiatives – Iowa, CorpDes Moines, IA · 2 wage offers$32.90/ hr$32–$34
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer reported in federal filings.
2What they are offering now
Low$27Median$30.66High$35
69 employer-reported wage offers for Lab Scientist in federal filings in Iowa, July 2025 – June 2026. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 1 Lab Scientist roles
- Medical Laboratory ScientistPermanent$29.36–$43.68/ hour
Each one has pay, shift and start date.
I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.