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Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians Salary in Iowa: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians salary really buy you in Iowa?

Iowa is 11.6% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$54,260
Median annual (2025)
+13.1%
Real Purchasing Power
$61,380
COL-adjusted (RPP=88.4)

Iowa Cost of Living Index

Iowa's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 88.4, meaning prices are 11.6% lower the national average. A Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians earning $54,260 in Iowa has the equivalent purchasing power of $61,380 in an average-cost US state.

IA: 88.4
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Iowa's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $38,790 $43,880 +$5,090
25th Percentile (P25) $43,210 $48,880 +$5,670
Median (P50) $54,260 $61,380 +$7,120
75th Percentile (P75) $65,810 $74,445 +$8,635
90th Percentile (P90) $79,660 $90,113 +$10,453
Key Insight

A Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians in Iowa earns $54,260 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 13% further — like earning $61,380 in an average-cost state. This makes Iowa one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Iowa Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 88.4

Iowa's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 88.4 means a basket of goods and services costs about 11.6% less than the national average. For a Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Sizable COL Effect Reshapes This Salary

+13.1%

Adjusting $54,260 for Iowa's cost of living yields $61,380 — a 13.1% gain in real purchasing power. This magnitude usually reflects either a materially cheaper or materially pricier metro mix than the national average.

Below-Median Adjusted Pay

#34 / 51

Iowa's rank of #34 of 51 states means real purchasing power for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians trails the national half-way line.

Best States for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians (After Cost of Living)

Where does Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$90,408
RPP 107.6
2. Oregon
$77,870
RPP 106.6
3. Vermont
$77,823
RPP 101.1
$76,192
RPP 97.7
$75,297
RPP 107.6
$72,378
RPP 104.7
$72,321
RPP 109.4
8. Montana
$72,192
RPP 90.3
9. Wyoming
$71,284
RPP 91.9
10. Illinois
$71,026
RPP 101.3

Iowa ranks #34 out of 51 states for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians take-home pay in Iowa after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians in Iowa after cost of living?

A Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians in Iowa earns a median salary of $54,260 per year. After adjusting for Iowa's cost of living (RPP=88.4), the real purchasing power is $61,380 — a +13.1% difference.

Is Iowa expensive to live in?

Iowa's cost of living is 11.6% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Iowa is 88.4 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians in Iowa: $54,260 x (100 / 88.4) = $61,380. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians in Iowa financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians in Iowa enjoys 13.1% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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