Medical Laboratory Scientist salary in Iowa
Medical Laboratory Scientists in Iowa earn a median of $26.23 per hour, about $54,560 a year, 12% below the U.S. median of $29.75. The middle half earn between $19.99 and $31.64 per hour. The highest median among Iowa metro areas is in Cedar Rapids, IA, at $28.88 per hour. Source: BLS, May 2024.
- $26.23median pay per hour
- $54,560median pay per year
- 3,020employed in Iowa
- #42of 50 states by median pay
Medical Laboratory Scientist pay in Iowa: percentiles
| Level | Iowa per hour | Iowa per year | U.S. per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $18.19 | $37,840 | $18.28 |
| Lower quartile | $19.99 | $41,580 | $22.39 |
| Median | $26.23 | $54,560 | $29.75 |
| Upper quartile | $31.64 | $65,810 | $38.46 |
| Top 10% | $38.02 | $79,080 | $47.11 |
Medical Laboratory Scientist pay by metro area in Iowa
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year | Employed | vs Iowa median | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $28.88 | $60,070 | 260 | 10% above | $32.46 |
| Dubuque, IA | $28.09 | $58,420 | 70 | 7% above | $32.17 |
| Ames, IA | $25.25 | $52,520 | 130 | 4% below | $28.43 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $24.30 | $50,550 | 340 | 7% below | $27.28 |
| Iowa City, IA | $24.19 | $50,310 | 360 | 8% below | $26.43 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $24.19 | $50,320 | 190 | 8% below | $27.98 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $23.82 | $49,550 | 590 | 9% below | $25.98 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $21.89 | $45,520 | 200 | 17% below | $25.14 |
Metro areas with 30 or more workers in the BLS sample. After cost of living divides the median by the BEA regional price index (U.S. = 100).
Medical Laboratory Scientist pay in states next to Iowa
Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in Iowa · Medical Laboratory Scientist salary nationwide · Iowa state guide
Common questions
How much does a medical laboratory scientist make in Iowa?
The median is $26.23 per hour, about $54,560 a year. The lowest 10% earn under $18.19 and the top 10% earn over $38.02 (BLS, May 2024).
Which Iowa city pays medical laboratory scientists the most?
Among Iowa metro areas, Cedar Rapids, IA has the highest median at $28.88 per hour. See the metro table for the rest and for pay after cost of living.
Where does Iowa rank for medical laboratory scientist pay?
Iowa ranks 42nd of 50 states by median medical laboratory scientist pay.
Is this the same as the pay in job postings?
No. BLS figures come from a survey of employers and cover all workers in the occupation. Posted pay is the range an employer lists on one open role. Both are useful: use the survey for the market and the posting for a specific job.
What do employers near you pay medical laboratory scientists? Get the report.
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- 1Pay for your role at other employers
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20+ Medical Laboratory Scientist roles in Iowa, sent free by email
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Your Lab Scientist pay reportIowa · 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
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.