Dialysis Technician Salary in Ames, IA: $43,312 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dialysis technician in Ames, IA earns a median $43,312/year (≈ $20.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2099). Once you factor in Ames's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $48,758 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Ames, Iowa, dialysis technicians earn a median annual salary of $43,312, reflecting a competitive position within the pay-scale system established by dominant employers like Fresenius and DaVita. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, indicate a salary range spanning from $34,516 at the lower end (P10) to $61,363 at the top (P90). When comparing local compensation to national averages, it becomes apparent that the dialysis technician salary in Ames is slightly below the national median of $45,322 for 2026, which might influence potential job seekers considering opportunities in the area. This specific context is pivotal for understanding the economic environment for dialysis technicians working in this city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,516 | $16.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,679 | $17.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,312 | $20.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,855 | $23.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,363 | $29.50 |
Median Salary Position
4.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ames
In Ames, IA, the dialysis technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,847 (2026 est.). At $43,312, the local median is 4.43% below the national median of $45,322.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ames: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ames Dialysis Technician Pay Compares
Ames median: $43,312/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ames Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $43,183 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $45,322 | -4.43% less |
Dialysis Technicians in Ames, IA earn a median of $43,312 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.43% lower than the national median of $45,322 and 0.30% above the Iowa state average of $43,183.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ames has a cost of living 11.17% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ames, IA has a cost-of-living index of 88.83 (below the national average of 100). A dialysis technician earning $43,312 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,758 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.57% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$38,450
2025 BLS Actual
$42,293
2026 Current Est.
$43,312
2021–2027 Growth
+15.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dialysis Technicians in Ames (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.41% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $38,450 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,293 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,312 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,356 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ames metropolitan area, the median dialysis technician salary grew 10.0% from $38,450 (2021) to $42,293 (2025). At a 2.41% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,356 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,906 (15.36%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ames metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.41% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $34,516 – $35,679 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,679 – $43,312 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,312 – $48,855 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,855 – $61,363 |
DT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dialysis technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dialysis Technician Job Market in Ames
Ames currently employs around 50 dialysis technicians, presenting a stable job market for these professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 88.83, take-home pay reflects favorable purchasing power when compared with national norms. Among the largest employers, outpatient dialysis chains such as Fresenius and DaVita typically offer the highest compensation, covering about 90% of the local market. Factors contributing to the salary variation include shift differentials—particularly for roles requiring early morning or evening work—and opportunities for advanced responsibilities like charge roles and home dialysis training, which can carry a premium. Therefore, aspiring dialysis technicians in Ames might consider enhancing their training credentials through organizations like NNCC, BONENT, or NNCO to maximize their pay. Engaging in cross-training for biomedical equipment can also open doors to higher-paying opportunities within this growing field.
More salary data for Ames, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dialysis technicians make in Ames, IA in 2026?
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Can dialysis technicians make $100K in Ames?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dialysis technician salary in Ames?
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Written by Jessica Tran, CCRN
Career Analyst
Jessica has over 10 years as a dialysis technician. She specializes in chronic kidney disease management. She works at a community hospital.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $42,293 for dialysis techniciansin the Ames metropolitan area. A 2.41% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.41%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dialysis technicians (SOC 29-2099).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, CCRN, a licensed dialysis technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov