$37K median salary • Top employers hiring now
Iowa's healthcare industry employs approximately 195,000 workers across a predominantly rural state. UnityPoint Health and MercyOne dominate as statewide systems, with University of Iowa Health Care providing academic leadership. The state ranks 16th nationally in health outcomes—among the healthiest in the Midwest. Iowa's dispersed population creates unique healthcare delivery challenges with 82 critical access hospitals serving rural communities. Des Moines anchors the market, but healthcare employment is unusually distributed across smaller cities.
Ideal for candidates with prior MA clinical experience who need certification to validate their skills for Iowa employers.
New to healthcare? You're welcome to enroll, but be aware: if you have no prior clinical experience, you must complete a Self-Managed 100-Hour Externship on your own to satisfy the program's practical component and prepare for the certification exam.
EHired does NOT place, arrange, or supervise externships. All externships are self-managed. You are responsible for identifying and securing your own externship site.
Understanding the IA healthcare job market:
Iowa's healthcare industry employs approximately 195,000 workers across a predominantly rural state. UnityPoint Health and MercyOne dominate as statewide systems, with University of Iowa Health Care providing academic leadership. The state ranks 16th nationally in health outcomes—among the healthiest in the Midwest. Iowa's dispersed population creates unique healthcare delivery challenges with 82 critical access hospitals serving rural communities. Des Moines anchors the market, but healthcare employment is unusually distributed across smaller cities.
IA salary ranges by experience level:
Des Moines and Iowa City pay highest—system competition and University of Iowa drive wages. Cost of living at 90% of national average makes moderate salaries stretch far. Rural positions pay less but cost of living is extremely low. UnityPoint and MercyOne offer competitive benefits. University of Iowa provides state employee benefits including pension.
Iowa's healthcare features competing statewide systems and academic medicine:
120 hires/yr
Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Quad Cities, statewide
Iowa's largest health system with clinics across the state. CMAs essential in extensive primary care network. Strong benefits and career mobility across Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
100 hires/yr
Des Moines, Dubuque, Sioux City, statewide
Catholic health system competing with UnityPoint statewide. Part of Trinity Health national network. CMAs benefit from faith-based mission and extensive clinic locations.
55 hires/yr
Iowa City
Iowa's only academic medical center with Big Ten research university. CMAs work in academic specialty environment. State employee benefits including pension and tuition assistance.
40 hires/yr
Quad Cities (Davenport, Bettendorf)
Quad Cities regional health system serving Iowa-Illinois border. CMAs enjoy Mississippi River community. Independent system with community focus.
35 hires/yr
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids' largest hospital (MercyOne). CMAs serve Iowa's second-largest city. Strong community presence with MercyOne network benefits.
25 hires/yr
Des Moines
Polk County's public hospital serving underserved communities. CMAs work in safety-net environment. County employee benefits with community health mission.
Where the jobs are in Iowa:
| Region | Annual Openings | % of State |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines Metro | 345+ | 30% |
| Iowa City/Coralville | 175+ | 15% |
| Cedar Rapids | 150+ | 13% |
| Quad Cities (Davenport) | 125+ | 11% |
| Sioux City | 80+ | 7% |
| Waterloo/Cedar Falls | 75+ | 7% |
“UI Health Care is THE academic medical center in Iowa. I work with Hawkeye physicians and researchers doing vitals, injections, and EKGs. The state pension and tuition assistance let me plan for the future while building clinical skills. Iowa City is a great college town.”
Sarah L.
Clinical Medical Assistant
University of Iowa Health Care
Started at $34K with state pension. Using tuition assistance for career advancement.
“UnityPoint's network is huge—clinics everywhere in Iowa. I started in a small-town clinic and transferred to Des Moines for the promotion. Cost of living is amazing here. My wife and I bought a nice house that would cost triple in Chicago. Quality of life is why we stayed.”
Josh R.
CMA Lead
UnityPoint Clinic
Advanced to lead at $42K. Des Moines affordability beats bigger cities.
Iowa's healthcare industry employs approximately 195,000 workers across a predominantly rural state. UnityPoint Health and MercyOne dominate as statewide systems, with University of Iowa Health Care providing academic leadership. The state ranks 16th nationally in health outcomes—among the healthiest in the Midwest. Iowa's dispersed population creates unique healthcare delivery challenges with 82 critical access hospitals serving rural communities. Des Moines anchors the market, but healthcare employment is unusually distributed across smaller cities.
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