PermanentPosted 24 days ago
Medical Laboratory Scientist
CommonSpirit Health · Council Bluffs, IA
$29.36–$43.68/ hour
Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in Dubuque, IA
Medical Laboratory Scientists in the Dubuque area earn a median of $28.09 per hour, about $58,420 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $22.52 and $33.42. That ranks 185th of 355 U.S. metro areas for medical laboratory scientist pay, and 95th of 317 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in Dubuque. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Dubuque.
- $28.09median pay per hour, Dubuque
- $23–$33typical range per hour
- 70employed in the metro area
- 87cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Medical Laboratory Scientist pay in Dubuque, IA
The metro median is 7% above the Iowa statewide median of $26.23 per hour. Nationally the median is $29.75 per hour. BLS counts about 70 clinical laboratory technologists and technicians employed in the Dubuque metro area, 1.2 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.53).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $20.69 | $43,040 | 30% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $22.52 | $46,840 | 24% below U.S. median |
| Median | $28.09 | $58,420 | 6% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $33.42 | $69,510 | 12% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $35.34 | $73,510 | 19% above U.S. median |
How Dubuque ranks
- 185th of 355 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 95th of 317 after adjusting for local prices
- 2nd 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 Dubuque
- Overall prices in Dubuque run 13% below the U.S. average (index 87.3, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 36% below the U.S. average (index 64.0).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $28.09 median hour buys what $32.17 buys at the national price level, 8% above 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 Dubuque Medical Laboratory Scientist pay report
Named employers near Dubuque, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Dubuque paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$1,011
- Per year: $50,562
- Per month: $4,214
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Dubuque metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Dubuque
| 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 Dubuque as they open.
For youUpdated weekly
20+ more Medical Laboratory Scientist roles for you in Iowa
Most are never shown on this page. Tell us your role and get the full list, with the pay on every one, in your inbox within 24 hours.
- Free
- No card
- Email only, no calls
Hospitals in Dubuque
CMS lists 2 hospitals in Dubuque, 0 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of medical laboratory scientists.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finley Hospital Dubuque, IA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Mercyone Dubuque Medical Center Dubuque, IA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 62 mi | $28.88/hr | 137,904 |
| Davenport, IA | 65 mi | $24.30/hr | 100,938 |
| Iowa City, IA | 72 mi | $24.19/hr | 76,710 |
| Madison, WI | 76 mi | $30.79/hr | 285,300 |
| Waterloo, IA | 84 mi | $21.89/hr | 67,477 |
| Rockford, IL | 86 mi | $31.34/hr | 147,486 |
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 Dubuque
Dubuque city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do medical laboratory scientists make in Dubuque, IA?
Medical Laboratory Scientists in the Dubuque metro area have a median pay of $28.09 per hour, about $58,420 a year. The middle half earn between $22.52 and $33.42 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Dubuque a good place for medical laboratory scientists once cost of living is counted?
Dubuque ranks 95th of 317 metro areas for medical laboratory scientist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 185th of 355 before adjusting. Overall prices run 13% below the U.S. average.
Where do medical laboratory scientists work in Dubuque?
CMS lists 2 hospitals in Dubuque, led by Finley Hospital. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Iowa license to work in Dubuque 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 Dubuque?
The federal per diem benchmark in Dubuque 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 Dubuque?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Dubuque and across Iowa. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Dubuque.
Free for every candidate
What do employers near Dubuque 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.
Get your free pay report
20+ Medical Laboratory Scientist roles in Iowa, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]
Your Lab Scientist pay reportDubuque, 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.