How Much Does a Medical Assistant Make in Iowa in 2026?

A typical Medical Assistant in Iowa earns about $21.87 per hour, or $45,480 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That breaks down to roughly $3,790 a month, or about $875 a week, based on the annual figure. Pay shifts with city, employer, and experience, but this figure marks the middle of Iowa's Medical Assistant pay range.

Iowa's typical pay sits almost even with the national figure of $45,690 a year, or $21.97 an hour, a difference small enough to call the two on par. That puts Iowa 24th among the 51 states and D.C. for Medical Assistant pay. Around 5,990 Medical Assistants work in Iowa, a workforce large enough to make city-by-city comparisons meaningful.

Entry-level Medical Assistants in Iowa typically start around $17.66 an hour, or about $36,730 a year, according to the May 2025 wage data. Some newcomers start a bit higher, closer to $18.74 an hour, or $38,980 a year, depending on the clinic and location. Pay tends to move toward the state's typical figure within the first few years on the job.

Experienced Medical Assistants in Iowa often earn upwards of $23.09 an hour, or about $48,030 a year. The top 10% of earners make over $26.42 an hour, or $54,960 a year. That's a spread of $18,230 between entry-level and top pay, a gap that tracks with years on the job, the type of clinic or hospital, and the city where the position is based.

Iowa's typical Medical Assistant pay has risen steadily over the past decade, from $30,180 in 2015 to $45,480 in 2025. That's a gain of $15,300, or 51%, over ten years. The increase was gradual rather than sudden, with pay climbing most years along the way, including a jump from $39,360 in 2022 to $42,980 in 2023.

Nationally, typical Medical Assistant pay rose 49% over the same ten years, so Iowa's growth ran slightly ahead of the country as a whole. Pay for the profession has moved up steadily in Iowa, and there's no sign of that pattern reversing. Someone starting as a Medical Assistant in Iowa today is entering a field where pay has trended upward for a decade, though future increases are not guaranteed.

Pay runs highest in the West Des Moines metro area, where Medical Assistants typically earn $46,920 a year, or $22.56 an hour, about 3% above the state figure. Cedar Rapids follows closely at $46,480 a year, and Ames comes in at $45,810. These figures reflect each city's full metro area, not just the city center.

Iowa City pays the least among Iowa's largest markets, with Medical Assistants there typically earning $43,550 a year, or $20.94 an hour, a spread of $3,370 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities. West Des Moines also has the largest Medical Assistant workforce in the state, with about 1,780 workers. The gap between cities is modest, and it often lines up with differences in local living costs rather than anything else.

Iowa's neighbors show a range in Medical Assistant pay. Minnesota pays the most at $50,480 a year (11% above Iowa), followed by Wisconsin at $48,680 (7% above), Nebraska at $47,370 (4% above), and Illinois at $46,090 (1% above). South Dakota pays less, at $41,870 (8% below), and Missouri pays the least at $40,440 (11% below). Medical Assistant credentials often transfer or can be endorsed across state lines, easing moves between these states.

Medical Assistants in Iowa typically earn $45,480 a year, or $21.87 an hour, a figure that has climbed 51% since 2015. Pay varies by city and experience, from entry-level positions near $36,730 to the top 10% above $54,960. Readers weighing a move into the field can check Iowa's licensing and registry requirements for specifics on getting started, and review city-level pages for local pay figures before choosing where to work.