The salary range for a medical assistant in Iowa runs from $36,730 at the 10th percentile to $54,960 at the 90th percentile. When building a compensation band, use the 25th percentile of $38,980 as a floor for entry-level candidates and the 75th percentile of $48,030 as a reasonable midpoint for experienced hires. Anchoring your offer within this range based on the candidate's experience and the complexity of the role will keep your budget aligned with the Iowa market.
Medical assistant salary in Iowa (2026)
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The average medical assistant salary in Iowa is $44,930 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $45,480 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Iowa employs 5,990 medical assistants, and the $550 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior medical assistants in Iowa typically earn around $36,730, while senior specialists typically reach or exceed the $54,960 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a medical assistant hire in Iowa, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $45,480 |
Average Annual Salary | $44,930 |
vs. National Average | 2.6% below the national mean of $46,120 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 5,990 employed medical assistants across Iowa.
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Medical assistant salary percentiles in Iowa
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $36,730 |
25th Percentile | $38,980 |
75th Percentile | $48,030 |
90th Percentile | $54,960 |
Employers hiring entry-level medical assistants in Iowa can expect to anchor offers near $36,730, while roles requiring more experience or specialization will push compensation toward $48,030 to $54,960. Setting your offer within this range based on the candidate's experience level will keep you competitive without overpaying for the market.
Medical assistant salary by city in Iowa
City | Average Annual Salary |
Des Moines | $46,440 |
Iowa City | $46,250 |
Cedar Rapids | $46,030 |
Sioux City | $44,700 |
Davenport | $43,830 |
Employers hiring in Des Moines should budget slightly more than those hiring in Davenport, since the two markets sit $2,610 apart in average annual pay. Des Moines leads the state at $46,440, while Davenport comes in at $43,830, so location alone can meaningfully shift your compensation budget if you are staffing across multiple Iowa sites.
How Iowa compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Iowa | $44,930 | $45,480 |
Minnesota | $51,660 | $50,480 |
Wisconsin | $49,280 | $48,680 |
Nebraska | $48,040 | $47,370 |
Illinois | $45,770 | $46,090 |
Missouri | $42,030 | $40,440 |
Iowa is a cost-effective market for medical assistant hiring relative to most of its neighbors, which gives employers here a real budget advantage when competing for talent. Minnesota's average of $51,660 and Wisconsin's $49,280 both sit well above Iowa's $44,930, so employers recruiting candidates from those states should expect upward pressure on offer expectations. Missouri is the one nearby state where compensation runs lower, averaging $42,030.
Frequently asked questions about medical assistant salary in Iowa
What is the salary range for a medical assistant in Iowa?
What is the average medical assistant salary in Iowa?
The average medical assistant salary in Iowa is $44,930 per year, which sits 2.6% below the national mean of $46,120. The median of $45,480 is slightly higher than the mean, which tells you the distribution is fairly tight with limited influence from extreme outliers. For most hiring decisions, the median is the more reliable anchor when setting an initial offer.
How does Iowa compare to other states for medical assistant salary?
Iowa's average medical assistant salary of $44,930 places it below Minnesota ($51,660), Wisconsin ($49,280), Nebraska ($48,040), and Illinois ($45,770), but above Missouri ($42,030). Employers in Iowa benefit from a lower compensation baseline than most neighboring states, which can reduce labor costs when building or expanding a clinical team. If you are recruiting candidates who currently work in Minnesota or Wisconsin, plan for the possibility that they will expect higher pay than the Iowa market typically offers.
What do the top-earning medical assistants make in Iowa?
Medical assistants at the 90th percentile in Iowa earn $54,960 per year. Candidates at this level typically bring specialized skills, significant clinical experience, or supervisory responsibilities that justify compensation above the $48,030 75th percentile threshold. If you are filling a senior or lead medical assistant role, budgeting toward the $54,960 range will help you attract candidates with the depth of experience you need.
Medical Assistant salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 31-9092 (Medical Assistants).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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