Medical Equipment Preparer salary in Iowa
Medical Equipment Preparers in Iowa earn a median of $39,930 a year ($19.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 590 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,300 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $47,700. Iowa ranks 45th of 51 states for medical equipment preparers pay. There are 0.38 medical equipment preparers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $43,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical equipment preparers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,070 | $17.82 |
| 25th percentile | $38,850 | $18.68 |
| Median | $39,930 | $19.20 |
| 75th percentile | $47,340 | $22.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $52,300 | $25.15 |
| Average (mean) | $43,710 | $21.01 |
Half of medical equipment preparers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,327.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,663.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,535.77 |
| Weekly | $767.88 |
| Hourly | $19.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Medical Equipment Preparer salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $45,020 | 110 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $42,430 | 40 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $41,070 | 40 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $39,930 | 50 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $39,530 | 40 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $39,430 | 320 |
| Iowa City, IA | $39,170 | 150 |
Highest-paying states for medical equipment preparers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $61,370 |
| Washington | $58,830 |
| Massachusetts | $58,580 |
| New York | $57,320 |
| Delaware | $53,300 |
| Hawaii | $51,630 |
| Rhode Island | $51,460 |
| New Jersey | $50,280 |
| Minnesota | $50,070 |
| Alaska | $49,920 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $45,480 | $21.87 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,430 | $23.28 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $35,720 | $17.18 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,240 | $18.38 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $33,270 | $16.00 |
| Massage Therapist | $57,710 | $27.75 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $45,010 | $21.64 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,080 | $17.34 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,350 | $18.92 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,030 | $29.34 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $64,140 | $30.84 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $39,260 | $18.88 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $29,120 | $14.00 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9093. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical equipment preparer make in Iowa?
The median salary for medical equipment preparers in Iowa is $39,930 a year, or $19.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical equipment preparers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of medical equipment preparers in Iowa earn at least $52,300 a year. The top 25% earn $47,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical equipment preparers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,070 a year, and a quarter of medical equipment preparers earn $38,850 or less.
How many medical equipment preparers work in Iowa?
About 590 medical equipment preparers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.