Iowa Median
$45,480
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.87
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+-0% vs US median
US median $45,690
State Rank
#24 of 51
5,990 employed here
How much does a Medical Assistant make in Iowa?
Medical Assistants in Iowa take home a median of $45,480 annually — roughly $21.87 an hour — which runs 0% above the national median of $45,690.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $36,730 while the top 10% make $54,960 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,980 and $48,030 a year.
Medical Assistant salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,730 | $17.66 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $38,980 | $18.74 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $45,480 | $21.87 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $48,030 | $23.09 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,960 | $26.42 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 24th out of 51 states and territories for Medical Assistant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Medical Assistant salary in other states
Washington $59,290Alaska $52,560District of Columbia $51,050Minnesota $50,480Oregon $50,410California $49,660Massachusetts $49,460Wisconsin $48,680Hawaii $48,410Colorado $48,400New Hampshire $48,020New York $48,000Maine $47,580Connecticut $47,430Nebraska $47,370Vermont $47,250New Jersey $47,210Rhode Island $47,190Montana $46,820Maryland $46,410Illinois $46,090North Dakota $45,980Arizona $45,940Utah $45,360Nevada $45,200North Carolina $45,140Indiana $45,110Virginia $44,740Idaho $44,700Delaware $44,490Pennsylvania $43,920Florida $43,680Ohio $42,810South Dakota $41,870Georgia $41,600South Carolina $41,160Wyoming $40,920Missouri $40,440Michigan $39,870Tennessee $39,570Texas $39,520Kansas $39,510Kentucky $39,270New Mexico $39,230Oklahoma $38,750Arkansas $37,760West Virginia $37,180Louisiana $36,320Alabama $36,100Mississippi $35,360
Working as a Medical Assistant in Iowa
Nationally, about 818,000 people work as Medical Assistants in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.
Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($45,480) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Medical Assistant make in Iowa?
The median Medical Assistant salary in Iowa is $45,480 per year, or about $21.87 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,730 at the entry level to $54,960 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Medical Assistants about 0% more than the national median of $45,690. Iowa ranks 24th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Medical Assistants?
Yes on pay — Iowa pays above the national median for this occupation, at $45,480 a year. About 5,990 Medical Assistants are employed in Iowa. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Medical Assistant salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.