Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians Salary
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians in Iowa make a median of $54,260 a year, or about $26.09 an hour. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $80K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.86), which stretches that salary to about $61,062 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,064/month, or 29.8% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Iowa. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $54K get you in Iowa?
About clinical laboratory technologists and technicians
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What this looks like in Iowa
Pay for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians in Iowa runs about 14% below the U.S. median of $63K. Rent runs $1,064/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.7% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.86 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Iowa
Entry-level clinical laboratory technologists and technicians (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $54K. Top earners bring in $80K or more, a $41K spread from bottom to top.
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians salary by metro in Iowa
8 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $63K | +15% | 270 |
| Ames | $56K | +4% | 110 |
| Dubuque | $56K | +3% | 100 |
| Iowa City | $52K | -4% | 420 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $50K | -7% | 700 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $48K | -12% | 200 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $48K | -12% | 400 |
| Sioux City | $47K | -13% | 200 |
Compare to other states
Track clinical laboratory technologists and technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Iowa numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a clinical laboratory technologists and technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in Iowa?
Yes — at the median salary of $54K, rent takes 29.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,064/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians in Iowa?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new clinical laboratory technologists and technicians typically earn — is $39K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,327/month. At HUD’s $1,064/month FMR, rent would take 46% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is clinical laboratory technologists and technician a high-paying job in Iowa?
Local pay runs 14% below the national median — $54K here vs. $63K nationally. Cost of living is 11% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Iowa compare to the national average for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians?
Iowa pays $54K median vs. the U.S. average of $63K — that’s -14%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.86), the purchasing-power equivalent is $61K — below the national median.
How much do clinical laboratory technologists and technicians make in Iowa?
The median is $54,260 a year, that works out to about $26 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,790, and experienced clinical laboratory technologists and technicians can clear $79,660. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $54K enough to live in Iowa?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,581/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,064/month, which eats 29.7% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a clinical laboratory technologists and technicians salary go in Iowa?
Iowa has a Regional Price Parity of 88.86 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median clinical laboratory technologists and technicians salary is worth about $61,062 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do clinical laboratory technologists and technicians get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.