Medical lab tech salary
BLS occupation: Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians · also called medical laboratory scientist · Healthcare practitioners · data for May 2025
Median salary $62,930 a year, US
Median hourly pay $30.26 an hour
Middle half earn $47,650–$81,450 25th to 75th percentile
Medical lab techs employed 332,940 +2.7% projected by 2035
How much does a medical lab tech make?
- The median medical lab tech salary in the US is $62,930 a year ($30.26 an hour): half of the 332,940 medical lab techs BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $67,350.
- The middle half earn between $47,650 and $81,450. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $38,910 and the top 10% more than $100,990.
- That is 23% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- New York pays medical lab techs the most (median $97,280), followed by Oregon ($83,010) and New Hampshire ($81,020). New Mexico pays the least ($47,360).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in New York, where the median is worth $90,140 in typical US prices, then Vermont and Oregon.
- In 158 of the 348 metro areas with data, the median medical lab tech salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of medical lab techs to grow 2.7% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 20,800 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what medical lab techs are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Medical lab tech salary range
Half of medical lab techs earn between $47,650 and $81,450 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $38,910
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $47,650
Median Yearly pay: $62,930
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $81,450
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $100,990
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $38,910 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $47,650 |
| Median | $62,930 |
| Top 25% earn over | $81,450 |
| Top 10% earn over | $100,990 |
Medical lab tech salary by state
New York pays medical lab techs the most; New Mexico the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($62,930), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| New York | $97,280 median |
| Oregon | $83,010 median |
| New Hampshire | $81,020 median |
| Massachusetts | $79,120 median |
| Vermont | $78,680 median |
| District of Columbia | $76,560 median |
| California | $76,010 median |
| Rhode Island | $75,780 median |
| Minnesota | $74,440 median |
| Washington | $72,760 median |
| Illinois | $71,950 median |
| Colorado | $70,050 median |
| Maine | $68,690 median |
| Delaware | $68,630 median |
| New Jersey | $68,450 median |
| Hawaii | $66,020 median |
| Wyoming | $65,510 median |
| Connecticut | $65,310 median |
| Montana | $65,190 median |
| Ohio | $63,800 median |
| Maryland | $63,690 median |
| North Dakota | $62,680 median |
| Arizona | $62,530 median |
| Georgia | $62,180 median |
| Tennessee | $62,070 median |
| Kansas | $62,050 median |
| West Virginia | $61,810 median |
| Michigan | $61,260 median |
| Virginia | $61,050 median |
| Alaska | $60,950 median |
| South Dakota | $60,890 median |
| Kentucky | $60,880 median |
| Wisconsin | $60,670 median |
| North Carolina | $60,650 median |
| Nebraska | $60,540 median |
| Florida | $60,510 median |
| Missouri | $60,300 median |
| Texas | $59,290 median |
| Nevada | $57,320 median |
| Indiana | $57,080 median |
| South Carolina | $55,280 median |
| Louisiana | $54,460 median |
| Iowa | $54,260 median |
| Oklahoma | $53,300 median |
| Pennsylvania | $51,680 median |
| Mississippi | $50,640 median |
| Arkansas | $49,670 median |
| Alabama | $49,440 median |
| Utah | $49,090 median |
| Idaho | $47,450 median |
| New Mexico | $47,360 median |
Where medical lab tech pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Medical lab techs' pay goes furthest in New York once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| New York | $90,140 |
| Vermont | $80,320 |
| Oregon | $80,311 |
| New Hampshire | $77,780 |
| Minnesota | $75,481 |
| Massachusetts | $74,813 |
| Rhode Island | $74,091 |
| Illinois | $71,980 |
| Maine | $70,778 |
| Wyoming | $70,676 |
Medical lab tech pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $97,280 | $46.77 | $50,060 | $132,530 | 16,460 | $90,140 |
| Oregon | $83,010 | $39.91 | $49,260 | $117,640 | 2,660 | $80,311 |
| New Hampshire | $81,020 | $38.95 | $42,090 | $99,930 | 800 | $77,780 |
| Massachusetts | $79,120 | $38.04 | $47,360 | $105,750 | 10,850 | $74,813 |
| Vermont | $78,680 | $37.83 | $56,460 | $101,120 | 460 | $80,320 |
| District of Columbia | $76,560 | $36.81 | $47,470 | $126,300 | 960 | $69,663 |
| California | $76,010 | $36.54 | $47,580 | $126,870 | 29,210 | $68,651 |
| Rhode Island | $75,780 | $36.43 | $41,850 | $102,650 | 1,060 | $74,091 |
| Minnesota | $74,440 | $35.79 | $49,810 | $101,190 | 7,190 | $75,481 |
| Washington | $72,760 | $34.98 | $46,780 | $112,020 | 7,430 | $67,992 |
| Illinois | $71,950 | $34.59 | $44,980 | $99,970 | 10,330 | $71,980 |
| Colorado | $70,050 | $33.68 | $47,050 | $102,900 | 5,000 | $67,975 |
| Maine | $68,690 | $33.02 | $46,280 | $94,320 | 1,250 | $70,778 |
| Delaware | $68,630 | $33.00 | $46,650 | $98,420 | 690 | $68,762 |
| New Jersey | $68,450 | $32.91 | $46,530 | $107,470 | 7,000 | $62,911 |
| Hawaii | $66,020 | $31.74 | $48,070 | $100,340 | 1,090 | $60,045 |
| Wyoming | $65,510 | $31.50 | $34,270 | $99,440 | 450 | $70,676 |
| Connecticut | $65,310 | $31.40 | $43,320 | $111,940 | 3,670 | $63,034 |
| Montana | $65,190 | $31.34 | $38,910 | $97,070 | 1,020 | $68,878 |
| Ohio | $63,800 | $30.67 | $39,250 | $95,100 | 13,050 | $68,769 |
| Maryland | $63,690 | $30.62 | $34,760 | $98,260 | 6,200 | $60,681 |
| North Dakota | $62,680 | $30.13 | $37,300 | $83,920 | 1,370 | $70,459 |
| Arizona | $62,530 | $30.06 | $40,520 | $99,560 | 6,440 | $62,110 |
| Georgia | $62,180 | $29.89 | $37,970 | $101,020 | 11,540 | $64,574 |
| Tennessee | $62,070 | $29.84 | $37,800 | $87,210 | 8,410 | $67,563 |
| Kansas | $62,050 | $29.83 | $38,490 | $94,780 | 3,930 | $68,892 |
| West Virginia | $61,810 | $29.72 | $37,240 | $88,470 | 1,800 | $69,064 |
| Michigan | $61,260 | $29.45 | $37,560 | $91,280 | 10,000 | $63,669 |
| Virginia | $61,050 | $29.35 | $38,910 | $96,080 | 7,150 | $60,383 |
| Alaska | $60,950 | $29.30 | $44,550 | $109,080 | 680 | $59,545 |
| South Dakota | $60,890 | $29.27 | $37,550 | $81,560 | 1,280 | $68,735 |
| Kentucky | $60,880 | $29.27 | $37,800 | $88,750 | 4,860 | $67,525 |
| Wisconsin | $60,670 | $29.17 | $46,350 | $84,980 | 8,480 | $64,477 |
| North Carolina | $60,650 | $29.16 | $39,860 | $86,490 | 13,710 | $64,298 |
| Nebraska | $60,540 | $29.11 | $38,090 | $85,610 | 1,930 | $67,190 |
| Florida | $60,510 | $29.09 | $37,530 | $96,860 | 25,790 | $58,512 |
| Missouri | $60,300 | $28.99 | $37,490 | $91,540 | 7,670 | $66,397 |
| Texas | $59,290 | $28.50 | $38,330 | $94,830 | 29,530 | $61,088 |
| Nevada | $57,320 | $27.56 | $40,390 | $103,890 | 2,040 | $57,332 |
| Indiana | $57,080 | $27.44 | $38,910 | $87,470 | 7,210 | $61,160 |
| South Carolina | $55,280 | $26.58 | $36,420 | $81,930 | 4,380 | $58,966 |
| Louisiana | $54,460 | $26.18 | $33,140 | $84,720 | 3,790 | $61,741 |
| Iowa | $54,260 | $26.09 | $38,790 | $79,660 | 3,240 | $61,826 |
| Oklahoma | $53,300 | $25.63 | $35,780 | $83,970 | 4,250 | $60,676 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,680 | $24.85 | $37,630 | $86,390 | 13,020 | $52,966 |
| Mississippi | $50,640 | $24.35 | $33,760 | $81,200 | 3,070 | $58,238 |
| Arkansas | $49,670 | $23.88 | $35,580 | $79,420 | 3,180 | $57,133 |
| Alabama | $49,440 | $23.77 | $34,790 | $79,520 | 7,250 | $55,661 |
| Utah | $49,090 | $23.60 | $38,220 | $86,080 | 6,370 | $49,654 |
| Idaho | $47,450 | $22.81 | $38,130 | $92,280 | 1,590 | $49,689 |
| New Mexico | $47,360 | $22.77 | $36,770 | $80,990 | 2,160 | $51,360 |
After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Medical lab tech salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes medical lab tech pay: 352 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- Kingston, NY $103,180
- Binghamton, NY $102,040
- Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $98,290
- New York, NY $96,930
- Bend, OR $90,270
- Vallejo, CA $86,250
- San Jose, CA $84,870
- Albany, OR $84,850
- Santa Rosa, CA $84,200
- San Francisco, CA $84,130
Where the pay goes furthest
- Binghamton, NY $109,882
- Kingston, NY $102,454
- Watertown, NY $92,747
- Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $89,827
- Battle Creek, MI $88,855
- Bend, OR $87,127
- Utica, NY $86,612
- New York, NY $86,112
- Lawrence, KS $84,793
- Rochester, NY $83,774
All 352 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston, NY | $103,180 | 60 | $102,454 | 23% |
| Binghamton, NY | $102,040 | 130 | $109,882 | 19% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $98,290 | 340 | $89,827 | 28% |
| New York, NY | $96,930 | 16,220 | $86,112 | 44% |
| Bend, OR | $90,270 | 110 | $87,127 | 29% |
| Vallejo, CA | $86,250 | 220 | $79,508 | 34% |
| San Jose, CA | $84,870 | 1,870 | $76,859 | 54% |
| Albany, OR | $84,850 | 40 | $83,105 | 23% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $84,200 | 340 | $78,119 | 38% |
| San Francisco, CA | $84,130 | 5,210 | $72,769 | 49% |
| Eugene, OR | $84,000 | 230 | $82,703 | 25% |
| Sacramento, CA | $83,150 | 2,020 | $77,951 | 33% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $83,100 | 80 | $75,617 | 50% |
| Portland, OR | $83,010 | 1,540 | $78,741 | 26% |
| Barnstable, MA | $81,890 | 170 | $83,263 | 38% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $81,590 | 100 | $81,392 | – |
| Medford, OR | $81,370 | 160 | $80,220 | 27% |
| Watertown, NY | $81,330 | 60 | $92,747 | 22% |
| Rochester, NY | $81,290 | 1,140 | $83,774 | 23% |
| Corvallis, OR | $81,230 | 100 | $78,093 | 27% |
| Redding, CA | $81,220 | 80 | $80,668 | 24% |
| Waterbury, CT | $81,220 | 370 | $81,401 | – |
| Battle Creek, MI | $80,450 | 70 | $88,855 | 17% |
| Utica, NY | $80,270 | 120 | $86,612 | 21% |
| Napa, CA | $80,070 | 50 | $71,139 | 44% |
| Albany, NY | $80,000 | 830 | $80,349 | 25% |
| Boston, MA | $79,480 | 8,710 | $73,412 | 45% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $79,400 | 1,030 | $78,707 | 29% |
| Syracuse, NY | $79,250 | 480 | $82,775 | 25% |
| Glens Falls, NY | $79,210 | 60 | $83,497 | 22% |
| Salem, OR | $78,640 | 270 | $75,871 | 25% |
| Seattle, WA | $78,170 | 4,610 | $70,339 | 35% |
| Buffalo, NY | $78,050 | 710 | $81,434 | 22% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $77,300 | 510 | $76,757 | 27% |
| Worcester, MA | $77,240 | 950 | $75,339 | 33% |
| Providence, RI | $76,960 | 1,410 | $75,619 | 34% |
| Oxnard, CA | $76,920 | 270 | $69,589 | 46% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $76,850 | 130 | $80,491 | 27% |
| Lawrence, KS | $76,520 | 70 | $84,793 | 25% |
| Rockford, IL | $76,380 | 230 | $82,883 | 20% |
| Modesto, CA | $76,110 | 360 | $73,107 | 33% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $76,060 | 540 | $71,175 | 45% |
| Manchester, NH | $75,540 | 300 | $71,495 | 34% |
| Bloomington, IL | $75,530 | 150 | $80,749 | 21% |
| Boulder, CO | $74,990 | 380 | $71,282 | 35% |
| Norwich, CT | $74,870 | 100 | $74,538 | 34% |
| Helena, MT | $74,840 | 80 | $78,223 | 26% |
| Stockton, CA | $74,840 | 370 | $71,216 | 39% |
| Chicago, IL | $73,960 | 7,620 | $71,393 | 35% |
| Trenton, NJ | $72,970 | 380 | $70,721 | 41% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $72,640 | 80 | $72,092 | 34% |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $71,660 | 110 | $76,669 | 29% |
| Washington, DC | $70,300 | 5,680 | $64,564 | 41% |
| Walla Walla, WA | $70,260 | 50 | $71,316 | 25% |
| Denver, CO | $70,050 | 2,890 | $66,221 | 33% |
| Springfield, MA | $69,610 | 540 | $72,464 | 34% |
| Racine, WI | $69,120 | 90 | $72,029 | 25% |
| Saginaw, MI | $69,090 | 180 | $76,014 | 18% |
| Portland, ME | $68,690 | 500 | $67,437 | 40% |
| Billings, MT | $68,440 | 190 | $73,178 | 24% |
| Traverse City, MI | $68,060 | 120 | $72,891 | 33% |
| Wichita, KS | $67,980 | 810 | $76,428 | 21% |
| Sandusky, OH | $67,830 | 60 | $75,974 | 32% |
| North Port, FL | $67,530 | 770 | $65,936 | 37% |
| Greeley, CO | $67,450 | 220 | $67,331 | 30% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $67,430 | 10,150 | $59,375 | 52% |
| Columbia, MO | $67,400 | 230 | $75,359 | 26% |
| Akron, OH | $67,100 | 940 | $71,865 | 23% |
| Augusta, GA | $67,040 | 570 | $72,946 | 26% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $66,700 | 170 | $67,275 | 37% |
| Peoria, IL | $66,560 | 300 | $72,958 | 21% |
| Cleveland, OH | $66,360 | 2,690 | $70,654 | 26% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $66,180 | 220 | $71,318 | 21% |
| Green Bay, WI | $66,160 | 380 | $71,074 | 20% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $66,060 | 230 | $66,824 | 37% |
| Honolulu, HI | $66,020 | 920 | $59,498 | 55% |
| Rome, GA | $65,840 | – | $73,025 | 23% |
| Atlanta, GA | $65,530 | 6,750 | $65,492 | 34% |
| Greenville, NC | $65,440 | 400 | $74,025 | 27% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $65,370 | 2,920 | $68,544 | 28% |
| Cheyenne, WY | $65,320 | 100 | $67,695 | 28% |
| Bangor, ME | $65,210 | 320 | $67,570 | 28% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $65,210 | 3,000 | $62,210 | 32% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $65,100 | 120 | $69,183 | 28% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $65,080 | 120 | $68,764 | 25% |
| Nashville, TN | $65,060 | 3,050 | $67,533 | 33% |
| Springfield, IL | $65,030 | 270 | $70,117 | 22% |
| Sebastian, FL | $64,580 | 120 | $65,692 | 40% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $64,490 | 310 | $70,828 | 27% |
| Kahului, HI | $64,380 | 70 | $58,852 | 60% |
| Duluth, MN | $64,320 | 280 | $72,459 | 25% |
| Manhattan, KS | $64,260 | 140 | $71,272 | 24% |
| Topeka, KS | $64,230 | 290 | $72,315 | 23% |
| Memphis, TN | $64,000 | 1,830 | $69,430 | 26% |
| Lansing, MI | $63,960 | 440 | $67,333 | 24% |
| San Diego, CA | $63,770 | 2,740 | $56,995 | 56% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $63,690 | – | $62,980 | 37% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $63,560 | 1,090 | $62,101 | 34% |
| Missoula, MT | $63,550 | 130 | $65,892 | 31% |
| Pueblo, CO | $63,530 | 140 | $69,233 | 25% |
| Hinesville, GA | $63,520 | 40 | $67,623 | 33% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $63,330 | 1,890 | $63,658 | 32% |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $63,220 | 110 | $61,712 | 41% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $63,210 | 360 | $62,655 | 35% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $63,210 | 560 | $63,066 | 44% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $63,190 | 1,960 | $65,187 | 29% |
| Bismarck, ND | $63,100 | 290 | $69,322 | 25% |
| Dalton, GA | $63,040 | 100 | $70,166 | 27% |
| Evansville, IN | $63,040 | 440 | $68,875 | 21% |
| Charleston, WV | $62,980 | 310 | $70,990 | 23% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $62,960 | 950 | $68,403 | 29% |
| Wausau, WI | $62,780 | 150 | $67,760 | 18% |
| Salinas, CA | $62,770 | 110 | $57,565 | 53% |
| Hickory, NC | $62,710 | 250 | $70,870 | 31% |
| Wheeling, WV | $62,610 | 120 | $70,888 | 17% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $62,560 | 270 | $70,321 | 24% |
| Tampa, FL | $62,550 | 4,830 | $61,998 | 38% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $62,530 | 5,160 | $60,523 | 33% |
| Morgantown, WV | $62,510 | 350 | $66,982 | 26% |
| Jackson, TN | $62,420 | 210 | $72,987 | 27% |
| Decatur, IL | $62,400 | 50 | $70,571 | 20% |
| Appleton, WI | $62,360 | 160 | $67,475 | 23% |
| Charlotte, NC | $62,360 | 2,020 | $64,059 | 33% |
| Fargo, ND | $62,340 | 570 | $68,603 | 21% |
| Columbus, OH | $62,240 | 2,520 | $65,194 | 29% |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $62,230 | 70 | $70,706 | 25% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $62,190 | 260 | $65,574 | 25% |
| Fresno, CA | $62,160 | 600 | $60,847 | 40% |
| Lebanon, PA | $62,160 | 70 | $66,685 | 28% |
| Anchorage, AK | $62,050 | 400 | $58,860 | 37% |
| Flint, MI | $62,040 | 240 | $66,685 | 20% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $62,040 | 70 | $57,129 | 54% |
| Miami, FL | $61,970 | 7,570 | $54,286 | 51% |
| Riverside, CA | $61,910 | 1,530 | $58,163 | 49% |
| Yakima, WA | $61,850 | 140 | $64,734 | 26% |
| Richmond, VA | $61,830 | – | $63,183 | 33% |
| St. Louis, MO | $61,830 | 3,960 | $65,024 | 28% |
| Grand Forks, ND | $61,820 | 190 | $71,334 | 22% |
| Tucson, AZ | $61,720 | 440 | $63,697 | 29% |
| Janesville, WI | $61,710 | 130 | $65,857 | 25% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $61,710 | 70 | $65,639 | 26% |
| Texarkana, TX | $61,620 | 130 | $73,347 | 24% |
| Clarksville, TN | $61,580 | 140 | $67,710 | 26% |
| Savannah, GA | $61,540 | 380 | $64,639 | 35% |
| Lubbock, TX | $61,490 | 430 | $67,337 | 26% |
| Louisville, KY | $61,460 | 1,600 | $66,033 | 26% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $61,450 | 130 | $68,142 | 24% |
| Beaumont, TX | $61,380 | 230 | $68,165 | 26% |
| Killeen, TX | $61,370 | 440 | $67,342 | 26% |
| Alexandria, LA | $61,360 | 160 | $71,610 | 20% |
| Houston, TX | $61,350 | 7,410 | $62,203 | 32% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $61,300 | 700 | $62,139 | 29% |
| Bozeman, MT | $61,200 | 160 | $59,701 | 43% |
| Kankakee, IL | $61,200 | 820 | $63,489 | 26% |
| San Antonio, TX | $61,010 | 2,740 | $64,414 | 28% |
| Lawton, OK | $60,970 | 150 | $70,944 | 22% |
| Winchester, VA | $60,960 | 190 | $63,204 | 36% |
| Jonesboro, AR | $60,880 | 170 | $70,893 | 24% |
| Canton, OH | $60,860 | 300 | $68,071 | 22% |
| Huntington, WV | $60,850 | 390 | $68,818 | 21% |
| Hartford, CT | $60,840 | 880 | $59,214 | 39% |
| Weirton, WV | $60,710 | 100 | $68,195 | 16% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $60,640 | 1,390 | $60,510 | 34% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $60,590 | 250 | $64,704 | 34% |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $60,570 | 210 | $60,254 | 37% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $60,530 | 80 | $65,290 | 33% |
| Bellingham, WA | $60,470 | 160 | $58,519 | 39% |
| Enid, OK | $60,440 | 80 | $71,723 | 22% |
| Sumter, SC | $60,380 | 30 | $68,598 | 29% |
| Athens, GA | $60,280 | 370 | $64,579 | 35% |
| Macon, GA | $60,250 | 300 | $68,058 | 24% |
| Kennewick, WA | $60,150 | 250 | $60,103 | 34% |
| Dayton, OH | $60,140 | 1,430 | $64,880 | 26% |
| Shreveport, LA | $59,940 | 460 | $70,712 | 26% |
| Olympia, WA | $59,930 | 180 | $57,808 | 41% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $59,930 | 520 | $59,927 | 38% |
| Monroe, LA | $59,900 | 180 | $71,653 | 24% |
| Bremerton, WA | $59,890 | 80 | $56,710 | 41% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $59,790 | 6,150 | $58,301 | 38% |
| Yuma, AZ | $59,780 | 60 | $64,483 | 29% |
| College Station, TX | $59,750 | 260 | $65,695 | 30% |
| Raleigh, NC | $59,750 | 1,810 | $60,872 | 34% |
| Paducah, KY | $59,730 | 130 | $69,386 | 23% |
| Lexington, KY | $59,710 | 980 | $64,281 | 32% |
| Lancaster, PA | $59,690 | 360 | $60,749 | 32% |
| Austin, TX | $59,570 | 1,860 | $60,745 | 32% |
| Chico, CA | $59,520 | 170 | $58,816 | 31% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $59,510 | 110 | $67,909 | 25% |
| Kingsport, TN | $59,470 | 190 | $68,794 | 27% |
| Omaha, NE | $59,420 | 920 | $64,649 | 28% |
| Albany, GA | $59,370 | 210 | $67,721 | 22% |
| Great Falls, MT | $59,320 | 90 | $61,253 | 29% |
| Victoria, TX | $59,310 | 110 | $66,018 | 24% |
| Dallas, TX | $59,280 | 9,420 | $57,503 | 34% |
| Kansas City, MO | $59,230 | 2,990 | $64,003 | 31% |
| Madison, WI | $59,090 | 2,790 | $60,738 | 36% |
| McAllen, TX | $59,060 | 830 | $68,758 | 23% |
| Morristown, TN | $59,050 | 60 | $68,373 | 32% |
| Allentown, PA | $59,000 | 1,080 | $59,019 | 37% |
| Crestview, FL | $58,990 | 230 | $60,795 | 40% |
| Detroit, MI | $58,910 | 4,570 | $58,735 | 31% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $58,910 | 3,510 | $61,560 | 31% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $58,860 | 1,450 | $60,097 | 38% |
| Toledo, OH | $58,840 | 510 | $64,338 | 26% |
| Carson City, NV | $58,810 | 50 | $59,931 | 42% |
| Knoxville, TN | $58,650 | 1,320 | $63,358 | 35% |
| Spokane, WA | $58,490 | 820 | $58,288 | 31% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $58,440 | 400 | $63,062 | 29% |
| Kenosha, WI | $58,430 | 40 | $57,784 | – |
| Dover, DE | $58,310 | 40 | $59,801 | 37% |
| Cleveland, TN | $58,240 | 80 | $66,122 | 29% |
| El Centro, CA | $58,240 | 50 | $61,193 | 37% |
| La Crosse, WI | $58,230 | 250 | $63,453 | 28% |
| San Angelo, TX | $58,190 | 110 | $62,940 | 27% |
| Brunswick, GA | $58,180 | 150 | $66,334 | 35% |
| Wilmington, NC | $58,110 | 400 | $60,266 | 36% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $58,070 | 660 | $63,489 | 31% |
| Charleston, SC | $58,050 | 830 | $57,497 | 42% |
| Midland, TX | $57,980 | 110 | $60,533 | 33% |
| Orlando, FL | $57,960 | 2,820 | $57,150 | 40% |
| Baltimore, MD | $57,930 | 3,970 | $55,442 | 40% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $57,910 | 650 | $63,896 | 26% |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $57,670 | 110 | $64,426 | 27% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $57,560 | 330 | $62,580 | 30% |
| Amarillo, TX | $57,410 | 200 | $62,525 | 27% |
| Asheville, NC | $57,220 | 410 | $59,292 | 36% |
| Greensboro, NC | $57,140 | 690 | $61,530 | 30% |
| Grand Island, NE | $57,120 | 70 | $65,915 | 28% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $57,050 | 130 | $64,848 | 21% |
| Deltona, FL | $56,720 | 700 | $57,081 | 37% |
| Lima, OH | $56,720 | 130 | $63,255 | 26% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $56,660 | 830 | $60,971 | 27% |
| Ames, IA | $56,380 | 110 | $63,470 | 25% |
| Jackson, MS | $56,310 | 830 | $63,236 | 31% |
| Gainesville, FL | $56,240 | 810 | $58,139 | 35% |
| Slidell, LA | $56,070 | 150 | $60,468 | – |
| Pensacola, FL | $56,010 | 600 | $57,319 | 37% |
| Lincoln, NE | $55,930 | 330 | $61,072 | 27% |
| Dubuque, IA | $55,680 | 100 | $63,760 | 23% |
| New Orleans, LA | $55,540 | 1,030 | $59,980 | 34% |
| Houma, LA | $55,460 | 110 | $65,168 | 28% |
| Columbia, SC | $55,280 | 810 | $59,021 | 34% |
| Farmington, NM | $55,200 | 80 | $62,937 | 30% |
| Odessa, TX | $55,030 | 130 | $58,607 | 34% |
| Gettysburg, PA | $54,450 | 40 | $57,088 | 30% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $54,350 | 90 | $60,819 | 28% |
| Tulsa, OK | $54,320 | 1,170 | $60,887 | 30% |
| Monroe, MI | $54,290 | 70 | $58,069 | 28% |
| Auburn, AL | $54,270 | 150 | $61,717 | 35% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $54,080 | 350 | $57,582 | 33% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $53,640 | 240 | $49,302 | 73% |
| South Bend, IN | $53,130 | 230 | $57,216 | 28% |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | $53,090 | 80 | $59,489 | 29% |
| Greenville, SC | $53,070 | 990 | $56,905 | 35% |
| Waco, TX | $52,940 | 260 | $57,202 | 32% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $52,860 | 320 | $60,259 | 38% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $52,720 | 170 | $55,983 | 37% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $52,700 | 700 | $58,052 | 31% |
| York, PA | $52,590 | 260 | $54,781 | 31% |
| Columbus, GA | $52,560 | 340 | $58,860 | 31% |
| Longview, TX | $52,290 | 200 | $58,434 | 26% |
| Iowa City, IA | $52,140 | 420 | $56,978 | 40% |
| Little Rock, AR | $52,120 | 1,110 | $58,323 | 28% |
| Gainesville, GA | $52,110 | 410 | $53,852 | 39% |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $51,900 | 190 | $60,294 | 23% |
| Scranton, PA | $51,680 | 550 | $55,240 | 32% |
| Valdosta, GA | $51,630 | 120 | $58,490 | 31% |
| El Paso, TX | $51,600 | 720 | $57,389 | 35% |
| Visalia, CA | $51,500 | 90 | $51,590 | 40% |
| Springfield, MO | $51,470 | 430 | $58,102 | 29% |
| Birmingham, AL | $51,430 | 2,790 | $56,119 | 33% |
| St. George, UT | $51,260 | 190 | $52,671 | 43% |
| Gulfport, MS | $51,020 | 400 | $56,685 | 33% |
| Burlington, NC | $51,000 | 1,820 | $54,723 | 32% |
| Johnson City, TN | $51,000 | 330 | $58,002 | 35% |
| Florence, SC | $50,970 | 300 | $58,739 | 36% |
| Joplin, MO | $50,690 | 260 | $59,136 | 29% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $50,640 | 190 | $57,786 | 31% |
| Lakeland, FL | $50,480 | 600 | $51,966 | 43% |
| Johnstown, PA | $50,460 | 170 | $58,723 | 21% |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $50,390 | 150 | $54,985 | 27% |
| Laredo, TX | $50,370 | 130 | $57,926 | 27% |
| Des Moines, IA | $50,240 | 700 | $54,787 | 31% |
| Naples, FL | $50,240 | 460 | $48,682 | 62% |
| Provo, UT | $50,110 | 530 | $51,012 | 42% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $50,070 | 110 | $50,959 | 45% |
| Youngstown, OH | $50,070 | 300 | $57,292 | 25% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $49,980 | 1,170 | $52,310 | 39% |
| Reno, NV | $49,930 | 470 | $49,429 | 50% |
| Lewiston, ID | $49,850 | 70 | $54,684 | 35% |
| Mobile, AL | $49,760 | 730 | $56,483 | 31% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $49,730 | 100 | $50,736 | 48% |
| Panama City, FL | $49,730 | 160 | $51,112 | 42% |
| Jacksonville, NC | $49,660 | 150 | $53,928 | 38% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $49,650 | 170 | $56,551 | 24% |
| Logan, UT | $49,570 | 90 | $51,675 | 35% |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $49,520 | 60 | $54,675 | 31% |
| Dothan, AL | $49,360 | 240 | $58,879 | 29% |
| Hammond, LA | $49,350 | 70 | $58,430 | 32% |
| Santa Fe, NM | $49,150 | 180 | $49,764 | 48% |
| Sherman, TX | $49,140 | 110 | $52,404 | 33% |
| Minot, ND | $49,100 | 120 | $56,419 | 31% |
| Ogden, UT | $49,090 | 450 | $48,919 | 40% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $49,010 | 540 | $53,649 | 38% |
| Roanoke, VA | $48,880 | 410 | $52,212 | 34% |
| Montgomery, AL | $48,780 | 520 | $54,392 | 34% |
| Tyler, TX | $48,750 | 420 | $52,899 | 32% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $48,660 | 650 | $52,564 | 31% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $48,630 | 4,860 | $48,212 | 41% |
| Mansfield, OH | $48,340 | 110 | $54,393 | 22% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $48,330 | 1,770 | $53,458 | 34% |
| Lafayette, LA | $48,240 | 290 | $55,315 | 34% |
| Gadsden, AL | $48,130 | 90 | $56,192 | 27% |
| Warner Robins, GA | $48,100 | 90 | $51,285 | 38% |
| Casper, WY | $47,830 | 70 | $50,976 | 36% |
| Waterloo, IA | $47,800 | 200 | $54,907 | 26% |
| Davenport, IA | $47,770 | 400 | $53,627 | 25% |
| Beckley, WV | $47,760 | 130 | $54,046 | 26% |
| Abilene, TX | $47,670 | 150 | $52,753 | 50% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $47,610 | 2,610 | $50,290 | 37% |
| Decatur, AL | $47,530 | 90 | $54,499 | 27% |
| Huntsville, AL | $47,490 | 630 | $51,025 | 35% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $47,450 | 140 | $48,274 | 46% |
| Sioux City, IA | $47,360 | 200 | $54,781 | 33% |
| St. Joseph, MO | $47,250 | 110 | $54,699 | 25% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $47,240 | 1,280 | $49,442 | 38% |
| Rapid City, SD | $47,240 | 230 | $52,983 | 37% |
| The Villages, FL | $47,120 | 90 | $55,160 | 44% |
| Reading, PA | $46,990 | 250 | $48,413 | 40% |
| Boise, ID | $46,680 | 730 | $47,443 | 49% |
| Brownsville, TX | $46,450 | 370 | $54,027 | 39% |
| Eagle Pass, TX | $46,430 | 40 | $55,402 | 30% |
| Muncie, IN | $46,400 | 50 | $52,639 | 27% |
| Erie, PA | $46,350 | 260 | $50,962 | 29% |
| Lafayette, IN | $46,150 | 110 | $49,395 | 38% |
| Florence, AL | $45,950 | 190 | $54,175 | 28% |
| Daphne, AL | $45,780 | 190 | $48,347 | 45% |
| Hot Springs, AR | $45,730 | 70 | $53,342 | 32% |
| Bloomington, IN | $45,600 | 100 | $47,958 | 46% |
| Ocala, FL | $45,470 | 360 | $47,746 | 42% |
| Staunton, VA | $45,440 | 100 | $49,864 | 38% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $45,210 | 230 | $52,638 | 29% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $44,680 | 190 | $47,324 | 39% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $44,550 | 110 | $49,384 | 40% |
| Altoona, PA | $44,340 | 150 | $49,538 | 27% |
| State College, PA | $43,980 | 120 | $45,452 | 53% |
| Williamsport, PA | $43,700 | 60 | $47,320 | 30% |
| Pocatello, ID | $41,870 | 110 | $47,095 | 31% |
| Anniston, AL | $41,380 | 180 | $48,145 | 28% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $41,160 | 110 | $47,943 | 40% |
| Sebring, FL | $40,130 | 110 | $43,398 | 45% |
| Jackson, MI | $37,940 | 110 | $41,338 | 37% |
What the median medical lab tech salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $62,930 |
| Month | $5,244 |
| Every two weeks | $2,420 |
| Week | $1,210 |
| Hour | $30.26 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a medical lab tech: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +2.7% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 20,800 |
| Self-employed | 0.7% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound tech | $96,590 | Associate's degree |
| Vet tech | $47,380 | Associate's degree |
| Speech-language pathologist | $97,870 | Master's degree |
| Physician assistant | $135,880 | Master's degree |
| Nurse practitioner | $132,300 | Master's degree |
| MRI tech | $95,480 | Associate's degree |
| Radiology tech | $80,110 | Associate's degree |
| Surgical tech | $64,650 | Postsecondary certificate |
Questions about medical lab tech pay
How much does a medical lab tech make an hour?
The median is $30.26 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $18.71 and the top 10% over $48.55.
How much does a medical lab tech make a month?
About $5,244 a month before taxes at the median salary of $62,930, or $2,420 every two weeks.
What state pays medical lab techs the most?
New York, with a median of $97,280. Oregon ($83,010), New Hampshire ($81,020), Massachusetts ($79,120) and Vermont ($78,680) follow.
Where do medical lab techs make the most after cost of living?
New York: its median of $97,280 is worth $90,140 at typical US prices. Vermont, Oregon and New Hampshire come next.
How much do entry-level medical lab techs make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of medical lab techs earn under $38,910 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $47,650, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a medical lab tech?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 29-2010 (Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.