Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Muscatine, IA: $52,218 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Muscatine, IA earns a median $52,218/year (≈ $25.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Muscatine's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $57,763 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Muscatine, Iowa, employment opportunities for medical and clinical laboratory technologists are somewhat limited, with only five professionals currently working in the area. The anticipated median annual salary for this role in 2026 is projected at $52,218, which reflects a substantial gap when contrasted with the national median of $68,734. Local salaries in Muscatine range from $36,143 to as high as $79,324, according to estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors. The lower-than-average compensation can be attributed to market saturation and the small local workforce, highlighting the importance of understanding salary benchmarks if you're considering a career in this field in Muscatine.
About the Muscatine Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,143 | $17.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,724 | $20.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,218 | $25.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,208 | $31.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,324 | $38.14 |
Median Salary Position
24.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Muscatine
In Muscatine, IA, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,181 (2026 est.). At $52,218, the local median is 24.03% below the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Muscatine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Muscatine Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Muscatine median: $52,218/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Muscatine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $55,907 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $68,734 | -24.03% less |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Muscatine, IA earn a median of $52,218 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.03% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 6.60% below the Iowa state average of $55,907.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Muscatine has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Muscatine, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $52,218 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,763 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,777
2025 BLS Actual
$50,677
2026 Current Est.
$52,218
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Muscatine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,777 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,631 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,546 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,208 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,946 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,723 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,677 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,218 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,805 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Muscatine metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 18.5% from $42,777 (2019) to $50,677 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,805 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,028 (25.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Muscatine 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 3.04% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $36,143 – $41,724 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,724 – $52,218 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,218 – $66,208 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,208 – $79,324 |
MLS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Job Market in Muscatine
As the cost of living index in Muscatine is 90.4, below the national average, take-home earnings may stretch further than in higher-cost areas, although the medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in Muscatine, IA, generally falls short of national standards. Those seeking higher salaries may find more lucrative prospects in larger healthcare facilities or community health centers rather than private practices or smaller clinics. The variation in pay is driven by several factors, including specialty certifications, shift differentials, and employer size. To maximize earnings, technologists should focus on obtaining certifications in high-demand specialties and consider negotiating for shifts that offer premium pay, capitalizing on the limited but present opportunities available in the local job market.
More salary data for Muscatine, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Muscatine, IA in 2026?
Is Muscatine, IA a good place to work as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?
Can medical and clinical laboratory technologists make $100K in Muscatine?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in Muscatine?
How much does a medical and clinical laboratory technologist make per hour in Muscatine?
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Career Resources
Written by Alexandra Choi, MS, MT(ASCP)
Career Analyst
Alexandra has 10 years of experience in clinical laboratory science. She specializes in molecular diagnostics. She works at a large metropolitan hospital.
Methodology & Data Source
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $50,677 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Muscatine metropolitan area. A 3.04% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Muscatine is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.04%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical and clinical laboratory technologists (SOC 29-2010).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Choi, MS, MT(ASCP), a licensed medical and clinical laboratory technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov