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Laboratory Associate Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Trinity Health

Regional Laboratory Director

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$103K - $135K/yr

... associates. MercyOne Central Iowa is a member of MercyOne, which was founded in 1998 through a ... As a Regional Laboratory Director at MercyOne, you will: * Be responsible for planning ...

Trinity Health

Regional Laboratory Director

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$103K - $135K/yr

... associates. MercyOne Central Iowa is a member of MercyOne, which was founded in 1998 through a ... As a Regional Laboratory Director at MercyOne, you will: * Be responsible for planning ...

Trinityhealth

Regional Laboratory Director

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$103K - $135K/yr

... associates. MercyOne Central Iowa is a member of MercyOne, which was founded in 1998 through a ... As a Regional Laboratory Director at MercyOne, you will: * Be responsible for planning ...

Lifepoint Health

Laboratory Supervisor

Ottumwa, IA · On-site

As a Laboratory Supervisor joining our team, you're embracing a vital mission dedicated to making ... Associate's Degree in related field preferred. Applicable work experience may be used in lieu of ...

Lifepoint Health

Laboratory Supervisor

Ottumwa, IA · On-site

As a Laboratory Supervisor joining our team, you're embracing a vital mission dedicated to making ... Associate's Degree in related field preferred. Applicable work experience may be used in lieu of ...

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Laboratory Associate information

See Iowa salary details

$11

$21

$32

How much do laboratory associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for laboratory associate in Iowa is $21.01, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.01 and $23.46 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a laboratory associate?

Laboratory Associates are professionals who assist with various tasks in a laboratory setting, such as preparing samples, conducting basic experiments, maintaining equipment, and recording data. They often work under the supervision of scientists or laboratory managers and play a crucial role in supporting research and development activities. Their responsibilities can vary depending on the specific laboratory and industry, but attention to detail, organizational skills, and knowledge of lab safety protocols are essential for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a laboratory associate?

To thrive as a Laboratory Associate, you need a solid understanding of laboratory procedures, attention to detail, and a background in biological or chemical sciences, often supported by a relevant degree or certification. Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), safety protocols, and specialized equipment such as spectrophotometers or centrifuges is typically required. Strong organizational skills, teamwork, and effective communication help Laboratory Associates excel in collaborative and fast-paced environments. These skills ensure accurate results, safety, and efficiency, which are vital for reliable scientific research and operations.

What are some typical challenges laboratory associates face when managing multiple experiments simultaneously?

Laboratory Associates often juggle several experiments at once, which requires strong organizational and time management skills. Balancing tasks such as sample preparation, data collection, and equipment maintenance can be challenging, especially when experiments have overlapping schedules or strict deadlines. Effective communication with team members and clear documentation are crucial to ensure that procedures are followed accurately and results remain reliable. Many labs use digital systems to track progress and share updates, which helps associates manage their workload efficiently.

What is the difference between Laboratory Associate vs Laboratory Technician?

AspectLaboratory AssociateLaboratory Technician
Required CredentialsAssociate degree or relevant certificationAssociate degree or certification, often similar
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, healthcare, pharmaceutical settingsResearch, clinical, industrial labs
Employer & Industry UsageHospitals, research institutions, biotech companiesHospitals, diagnostic labs, manufacturing
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Laboratory Associates and Laboratory Technicians often share similar educational backgrounds and work environments. Both roles support laboratory operations in healthcare, research, or industrial settings. The main differences are often related to specific job duties and employer terminology, but they are frequently used interchangeably depending on the organization.

What are the most commonly searched types of Laboratory jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Laboratory jobs in Iowa are:

What are popular job titles related to Laboratory Associate jobs in Iowa?

For Laboratory Associate jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Laboratory Associate jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Laboratory Associate jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Laboratory Associate jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Laboratory Associate job openings:

Laboratory Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Laboratory Associate job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,700 per year, or $21 per hour.

Laboratory Technical Associate-Main Laboratory

UnityPoint Health

Waterloo, IA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 15 days ago

UnityPoint Health rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 364 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

301st of 898 rated healthcare providers

Job description

Overview
Laboratory Technical Associate - Main Lab
UnityPoint Health - Allen
Shift: Full-time; 445 AM - 115 PM. Every other weekend, three on call shifts per month and holiday rotation.
Benefits Eligible
The Lab Technical Associate position assists technical staff in the laboratory in their daily functions. Duties include collection and processing of lab samples, running and minor maintenance of basic instrumentation, data entry into the Laboratory Information System, inventory control and basic office duties.
The Lab Technical Associate-Main Laboratory performs these functions primarily in the Main Laboratory.
Qualifies as Testing Personnel under Federal Register Sec 493.15, 493.20 & 493.1423 for waived and moderate complexity testing.
Why UnityPoint Health?
At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We're proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.
Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you're in. Here are just a few:
  • Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.
  • Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.
  • Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.
And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.
Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.
Responsibilities
  • Collects and processes samples for the laboratory including blood, urine, cultures (limited) and sendouts.
  • Runs and maintains basic lab instrumentation and testing
  • Assists technologists with duties including but not limited to stocking supplies, washing laboratory dishes, inventory management & follow up on reports
  • Answers incoming phone calls
  • Registers and looks up orders for samples in the Hospital Information System, enters data and orders samples into Laboratory Information system

Qualifications
Education:
  • High school education or equivalent

Licensure/Certification:
  • Valid driver's license when driving any vehicle for work-related reasons.

Experience:
  • 6 months experience in a clinical laboratory

Other:
  • Must be able to read, write and speak English

What UnityPoint Health employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

UnityPoint Health logo

About UnityPoint Health

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At UnityPoint Health, we provide care in nine regions throughout Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. As the nation's fourth largest nondenominational health system in America, UnityPoint Health keeps people at the center of all we do. We are looking for dynamic and talented individuals to join our team. You'll find opportunities for every sized dream.

Industry

Hospitals

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

West Des Moines, IA, US

Year founded

1995

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