Medical Assistant Salary in Iowa: $48,028 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median medical assistant pay sits at $48,028/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9092. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $53,128 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Des Moines ($46,920), Cedar Falls ($46,633), Cedar Rapids ($46,480).
In 2026, the average median salary for medical assistants in Iowa is projected to be $48,028, slightly above the national median of $47,961, reflecting a difference of 0.1%. Among the state's cities, Des Moines leads with a salary of $49,252, while Fort Dodge registers the lowest at $43,991, creating a salary gap of $5,261. This difference is primarily driven by the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas. Iowa has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that impact the role of medical assistants. These factors, along with the state’s growing healthcare sector, have contributed to a strong demand for medical assistants, which is expected to result in an annual growth rate of 4.97% for this profession. In addition to Des Moines, other prominent salary figures include Cedar Falls at $48,951, Cedar Rapids at $48,790, West Des Moines at $48,616, and Ames at $48,087. Overall, the medical assistant job market in Iowa demonstrates a positive outlook, driven by a steady increase in healthcare demand and a diverse set of metropolitan areas to work in, providing various opportunities for professionals in the field.
Iowa Medical Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $36,437 (lowest entry-level) to $63,026 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa medical assistants earn 0.14% more than the national median (+$67/year difference).
Iowa Medical Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Assistant salaries in Iowa range from $38,956 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $58,166 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $48,028. The Iowa median is $67 above the US national median of $47,961. The average hourly rate is $23.09/hr. Approximately 4,806 medical assistants are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$36,219
2025 BLS Actual
$45,754
2026 Current Est.
$48,028
2019–2027 Growth
+39.2%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Iowa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,219 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,072 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,424 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,999 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,217 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,661 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,754 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,028 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,415 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 26.3% from $36,219 (2019) to $45,754 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,415 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,196 (39.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.97% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Iowa
Lowest Paying Cities in Iowa
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fort Dodge | $43,991 |
| Johnston | $44,481 |
| Ottumwa | $44,589 |
| Muscatine | $44,758 |
| Clinton | $44,971 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Assistants in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for medical assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City | $47,919 | 86.454 | $55,427 |
| Waterloo | $47,929 | 87.057 | $55,055 |
| Cedar Rapids | $48,790 | 88.963 | $54,843 |
| Cedar Falls | $48,951 | 90.4 | $54,149 |
| Ames | $48,087 | 88.83 | $54,134 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $38,956 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $48,028 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $58,166 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Iowa metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | $49,252 |
| 2 | Cedar Falls | $48,951 |
| 3 | Cedar Rapids | $48,790 |
| 4 | West Des Moines | $48,616 |
| 5 | Ames | $48,087 |
| 6 | Waterloo | $47,929 |
| 7 | Sioux City | $47,919 |
| 8 | Marion | $47,124 |
| 9 | Dubuque | $46,953 |
| 10 | Davenport | $46,922 |
| 11 | Ankeny | $46,574 |
| 12 | Council Bluffs | $46,281 |
| 13 | Burlington | $46,017 |
| 14 | Waukee | $45,851 |
| 15 | Urbandale | $45,789 |
| 16 | Bettendorf | $45,786 |
| 17 | Iowa City | $45,714 |
| 18 | Marshalltown | $45,644 |
| 19 | Coralville | $45,584 |
| 20 | Mason City | $45,372 |
| 21 | North Liberty | $45,195 |
| 22 | Clinton | $44,971 |
| 23 | Muscatine | $44,758 |
| 24 | Ottumwa | $44,589 |
| 25 | Johnston | $44,481 |
| 26 | Fort Dodge | $43,991 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical assistant hourly pay in Iowa cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical assistants.
Explore More Medical Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in Iowa in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical assistants in Iowa?
How does Iowa medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical assistant salary in Iowa?
How many medical assistants are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for medical assistants?
Written by Emma Chen, CMA
Career Analyst
Emma has over 8 years of experience as a medical assistant. She has worked in both outpatient clinics and hospitals. Her expertise includes patient care and administrative support.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical assistant compensation across Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.97%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical assistants (SOC 31-9092).
Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov