Medical assistant jobs in Iowa
About 5,990 people work as medical assistants in Iowa, and the state expects around 800 openings a year from new jobs and people leaving the role. Wages sit close to the national level, and getting hired does not require a state license.
- Iowa jobs right now: about 5,990
- Openings each year: around 800
- Median yearly pay: $45,480 ($21.87 per hour)
- Job growth expected from 2024 to 2034: 19.1%
Ready to start? Iowa expects about 800 openings a year, and most career programs take around 9 months. Pick an accredited program on our Iowa page and fill out the short "Request information" form to contact that school.
- Medical assistant jobs
- 5,990
- Openings a year to 2034
- 800
- Job growth 2024 to 2034
- +19.1%
- Median pay a year
- $45,480
- US median
- $45,690
What medical assistants earn in Iowa
A typical medical assistant in Iowa earns $45,480 yearly, which works out to $21.87 an hour. Half of Iowa's medical assistants earn more than that, and half earn less. Nationally, the median is $45,690, and Iowa places 24 of 51 when it comes to pay.
| Your pay range | What you earn yearly in Iowa |
|---|---|
| Bottom tenth | $36,730 or below |
| Middle half | $38,980 to $48,030 |
| Top tenth | $54,960 or above |
The middle half of Iowa medical assistants earn between $38,980 and $48,030 a year.
Where medical assistant jobs are concentrated
Of the metro areas listed here, Des Moines has the most medical assistant jobs, while the Omaha area has the highest median pay. These metro figures show where the jobs and pay are.
| Metro area | Medical assistant jobs | Median yearly earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines and West Des Moines | 1,780 | $46,920 |
| Omaha metro (Nebraska and Iowa) | 1,400 | $48,010 |
| Davenport, Moline and Rock Island (Iowa and Illinois) | 840 | $44,700 |
| Cedar Rapids metro | 510 | $46,480 |
| Iowa City metro | 480 | $43,550 |
Statewide, roughly 3.8 out of every 1,000 jobs belong to this occupation. Iowa places 32 of 51 for the total number of these positions.
| Metro area | Median a year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $46,920 | 1,780 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $48,010 | 1,400 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $44,700 | 840 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $46,480 | 510 |
| Iowa City, IA | $43,550 | 480 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $45,660 | 390 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $45,650 | 280 |
| Dubuque, IA | $44,730 | 210 |
Is this occupation growing in Iowa?
Yes, and Iowa ranks 14 of 51 for job growth. Iowa's labor agency expects medical assistant jobs to grow from 5,330 in 2024 to 6,350 in 2034. That works out to 19.1% growth, well above the 12.5% seen nationwide, and places Iowa 14 of 51 for growth.
Those 800 yearly openings include brand-new positions as well as the spots that open up when people move on. Iowa places 34 of 51 for openings.
Do you need state certification?
Iowa's law does not specifically name medical assistants, so you do not apply for a state certificate. Iowa has rules for tasks delegated by doctors and nurses, as well as separate permit rules for x-ray work.
Since the state does not require certification, every employer chooses the training and national certification it prefers.
What training do Iowa employers look for?
Our site lists 14 schools in Iowa reporting graduates in the field, and 11 of those offer an accredited program. Accreditation means a separate organization, CAAHEP or ABHES, has reviewed the program and confirmed it meets its standards.
Nationally, students in career school programs finish in a median of 9 months, and most complete the program in 7 to 9 months. At these schools, the median price for the whole program is $17,257, which includes tuition, fees and books. For public colleges, the median in-district price for a full-time year of study is $4,346.
Some programs offer online classes. The externship, where you practice under supervision in an actual clinic or office, still happens in person.
Contacting an Iowa school about its program
With Iowa jobs expected to grow 19.1% by 2034, now is a good time to start. Choose an accredited program on our Iowa page and fill in the short "Request information" form below the program list with your name, email, phone, ZIP code and when you'd like to start. Your request goes directly to that one school.
Jobs and pay: Bureau of Labor Statistics wage survey, May 2025. Openings and growth: Projections Central, from Iowa’s labor market office. The job itself: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Medical assistant programs in Iowa · Pay in Iowa · Certification rules in Iowa · Jobs in every state
Nearby: Jobs in Illinois · Jobs in Minnesota · Jobs in Missouri