How to Become A Medical Assistant in Iowa
Iowa employs approximately 5,990 medical assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $45,480 1. Nationally, medical assistant employment is projected to grow 12.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 112,300 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a medical assistant in Iowa, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Medical Assistant in Iowa
How do I become a medical assistant in Iowa? Iowa requires credentials such as Medical Assistants. The licensing authority is the Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Iowa? Yes. Iowa has licensing or registration requirements for medical assistants. The Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do medical assistants earn in Iowa? The median annual wage for medical assistants in Iowa is $45,480 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,730 and experienced professionals can earn $54,960 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy
- Median wage (Iowa): $45,480 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Medical Assistant License Requirements in Iowa
The Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy oversees medical assistant licensing in Iowa 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistants | Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Medical Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Iowa
Medical Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Iowa
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), medical assistants wages in Iowa vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | 1,780 | $46,920 | $46,440 | $36,470 | $58,240 |
| Omaha | 1,400 | $48,010 | $48,530 | $39,120 | $59,110 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 840 | $44,700 | $43,830 | $37,140 | $48,750 |
| Cedar Rapids | 510 | $46,480 | $46,030 | $37,770 | $58,290 |
| Iowa City | 480 | $43,550 | $46,250 | $39,180 | $59,080 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | 390 | $45,660 | $44,180 | $36,780 | $50,710 |
| Sioux City | 280 | $45,650 | $44,700 | $36,760 | $54,700 |
| Dubuque | 210 | $44,730 | $44,830 | $37,680 | $56,610 |
| Ames | 180 | $45,810 | $44,580 | $37,270 | $50,340 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Medical assistants in Iowa
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest medical assistant employment within Iowa according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | 1,780 | $46,920 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 840 | $44,700 |
| Cedar Rapids | 510 | $46,480 |
| Iowa City | 480 | $43,550 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | 390 | $45,660 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for medical assistants in Iowa? Iowa currently employs approximately 5,990 medical assistants 1. Nationally, medical assistant employment is projected to grow 12.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a medical assistant in Iowa with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Iowa? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Iowa.
How much do medical assistants earn in Iowa compared to the national average? The median annual wage for medical assistants in Iowa is $45,480, which is $1,280 above the national median of $44,200 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy - Licensing Information: http://idph.iowa.gov/Permits-To-Operate ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |