PermanentPosted 24 days ago
Medical Laboratory Scientist
CommonSpirit Health · Council Bluffs, IA
$29.36–$43.68/ hour
Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in West Des Moines, IA
Medical Laboratory Scientists in the West Des Moines area earn a median of $23.82 per hour, about $49,550 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $19.34 and $32.40. That ranks 279th of 355 U.S. metro areas for medical laboratory scientist pay, and 251st of 317 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 4 hospitals in the West Des Moines metro area. Tell us your role and we email current openings near West Des Moines.
- $23.82median pay per hour, Des Moines
- $19–$32typical range per hour
- 590employed in the metro area
- 92cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Medical Laboratory Scientist pay in West Des Moines, IA
The metro median is 9% below the Iowa statewide median of $26.23 per hour. Nationally the median is $29.75 per hour. BLS counts about 590 clinical laboratory technologists and technicians employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines metro area, 1.5 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.66).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $18.19 | $37,840 | 39% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $19.34 | $40,230 | 35% below U.S. median |
| Median | $23.82 | $49,550 | 20% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $32.40 | $67,390 | 9% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $41.15 | $85,590 | 38% above U.S. median |
How West Des Moines ranks
- 279th of 355 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 251st of 317 after adjusting for local prices
- 7th 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 West Des Moines
- Overall prices in Des Moines-West Des Moines run 8% below the U.S. average (index 91.7, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 15% below the U.S. average (index 84.7).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $23.82 median hour buys what $25.98 buys at the national price level, 13% 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 West Des Moines Medical Laboratory Scientist pay report
Named employers near West Des Moines, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your West Des Moines paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$858
- Per year: $42,876
- Per month: $3,573
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Des Moines-West Des Moines metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in West Des Moines
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $115 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $80 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,365 |
| 13-week assignment | $17,745 |
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. 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 West Des Moines as they open.
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20+ more Medical Laboratory Scientist roles for you in Iowa
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Hospitals in the Des Moines-West Des Moines area
CMS lists 4 hospitals in the Des Moines-West Des Moines area, 1 of the 4 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of medical laboratory scientists.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Va Central Iowa Healthcare System Des Moines, IA | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | Government and federal | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Broadlawns Medical Center Des Moines, IA | Acute care | Government and federal | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Unitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medi Des Moines, IA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Mercyone Des Moines Medical Center Des Moines, IA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 9 mi | $23.82/hr | 213,096 |
| Ankeny, IA | 16 mi | $23.82/hr | 76,727 |
| Ames, IA | 34 mi | $25.25/hr | 69,026 |
| Waterloo, IA | 98 mi | $21.89/hr | 67,477 |
| Council Bluffs, IA | 110 mi | $30.48/hr | 62,665 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 112 mi | $28.88/hr | 137,904 |
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 West Des Moines
West Des Moines city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do medical laboratory scientists make in West Des Moines, IA?
Medical Laboratory Scientists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines metro area have a median pay of $23.82 per hour, about $49,550 a year. The middle half earn between $19.34 and $32.40 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is West Des Moines a good place for medical laboratory scientists once cost of living is counted?
Des Moines-West Des Moines ranks 251st of 317 metro areas for medical laboratory scientist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 279th of 355 before adjusting. Overall prices run 8% below the U.S. average.
Where do medical laboratory scientists work in West Des Moines?
CMS lists 4 hospitals in the Des Moines-West Des Moines area, led by Va Central Iowa Healthcare System. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Iowa license to work in West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines?
The federal per diem benchmark in West Des Moines is $115 a night for lodging and $80 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,365 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 West Des Moines?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in West Des Moines and across Iowa. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near West Des Moines.
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What do employers near West Des Moines 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 reportWest Des Moines, 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.