Medical Assistant salary in Iowa
Medical Assistants in Iowa earn a median of $45,480 a year ($21.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,990 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,960 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $45,690. Iowa ranks 24th of 51 states for medical assistants pay. There are 3.8 medical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $44,930, close to the median.
Pay range for medical assistants in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| 25th percentile | $38,980 | $18.74 |
| Median | $45,480 | $21.87 |
| 75th percentile | $48,030 | $23.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,960 | $26.42 |
| Average (mean) | $44,930 | $21.60 |
Half of medical assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,790 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,895 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,749.23 |
| Weekly | $874.62 |
| Hourly | $21.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,480 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Medical Assistant salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $48,010 | 1,400 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $46,920 | 1,780 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $46,480 | 510 |
| Ames, IA | $45,810 | 180 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $45,660 | 390 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $45,650 | 280 |
| Dubuque, IA | $44,730 | 210 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $44,700 | 840 |
| Iowa City, IA | $43,550 | 480 |
Highest-paying states for medical assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $59,290 |
| Alaska | $52,560 |
| District of Columbia | $51,050 |
| Minnesota | $50,480 |
| Oregon | $50,410 |
| California | $49,660 |
| Massachusetts | $49,460 |
| Wisconsin | $48,680 |
| Hawaii | $48,410 |
| Colorado | $48,400 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $48,430 | $23.28 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $35,720 | $17.18 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,240 | $18.38 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $33,270 | $16.00 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $39,930 | $19.20 |
| Massage Therapist | $57,710 | $27.75 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $45,010 | $21.64 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,080 | $17.34 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,350 | $18.92 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,030 | $29.34 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $64,140 | $30.84 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $39,260 | $18.88 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $29,120 | $14.00 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9092. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical assistant make in Iowa?
The median salary for medical assistants in Iowa is $45,480 a year, or $21.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical assistants make in Iowa?
The top 10% of medical assistants in Iowa earn at least $54,960 a year. The top 25% earn $48,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical assistants in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,730 a year, and a quarter of medical assistants earn $38,980 or less.
How many medical assistants work in Iowa?
About 5,990 medical assistants are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.