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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lab Technician 1 in Iowa is $66,231 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.
However, a Lab Technician 1's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Lab Technician 1 Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $73,465 | $6,122 | $1,413 | $35 |
| Average | $66,231 | $5,519 | $1,274 | $32 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,361 | $4,947 | $1,142 | $29 |
West Coast Logistics - Ames, IA
Kirkwood Community College - Cedar Rapids, IA
Deb El Food Products, LLC - New Hampton, IA
Prairie Holdings Group - Sioux Center, IA
A Lab Technician 1's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Lab Technician 1's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Laborator... Level Lab Technician 1 | $42,571 |
| Laborator... Level Lab Technician 1 | $49,215 |
| Lab Techn... Level Lab Technician 1 | $67,662 |
| Laborator... Level Lab Technician 1 | $79,860 |
| Laborator... Level Lab Technician 1 | $79,313 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Lab Technician 1s. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Lab Technician 1 roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 52% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Lab Technician positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lab Technician 1 as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet | $86,100 | $41.0 | 30% |
| Financial Services | $79,477 | $38.0 | 20% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $74,179 | $36.0 | 12% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $74,179 | $36.0 | 12% |
| Energy & Utilities | $72,854 | $35.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Lab Technician 1's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $73,465 | $6,122 | $1,413 | $35 |
| Average | $66,231 | $5,519 | $1,274 | $32 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,361 | $4,947 | $1,142 | $29 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lab Technician 1 job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Clarke County Hospital
Osceola, IA
Clarke County Hospital | Osceola, IA
Job Title. Obtains, labels and delivers laboratory specimens in accordance with universal precaution standards. Prioritizes, performs and reports results o... more
3 Days Ago
Potters Industries Inc
Muscatine, IA
Potters Industries Inc | Muscatine, IA
Job Description. Job Description. This position pays $23.00 per hour Sunday though Wednesday. Position overview. The QA Lab Technician I is responsible for... more
5 Days Ago
Lifepoint Health
Ottumwa, IA
Lifepoint Health | Ottumwa, IA
Job Posting. Schedule: PRN. Your experience matters. Ottumwa Regional Health Center is part of Lifepoint Health, a diversified healthcare delivery network ... more
2 Days Ago
Trinity Health
Eldridge, IA
Trinity Health | Eldridge, IA
Job Title: Clinic Lab Technician. At MercyOne, health care is more than just a doctor's visit or a place to go when you're in need of medical attention. Ou... more
4 Days Ago
Crawford County Memorial Hospital
Denison, IA
Crawford County Memorial Hospital | Denison, IA
Job Title. Job Description. Essential Duties and Responsibilities. Performs accurate and appropriate testing of specimens received in the laboratory, accor... more
2 Days Ago
Boone County Hospital
Boone, IA
Boone County Hospital | Boone, IA
Laboratory Technician. Performs tests and procedures in assigned section(s) of the laboratory, including those which require exercise of independent and pr... more
2 Days Ago
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