How much does a clinical laboratory technologist and technician make?
The median clinical laboratory technologist and technician in the United States earns $62,930 per year, about $30.26 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all clinical laboratory technologists and technicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 29-2010.
Clinical laboratory technologist and technician salary range
Pay for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $38,910 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $100,990. The average (mean) wage of $67,350 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,910 | $18.71 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $47,650 | $22.91 | |
| Median (50th) | $62,930 | $30.26 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $81,450 | $39.16 | |
| 90th percentile | $100,990 | $48.55 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians (SOC 29-2010), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Clinical laboratory technologist and technician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians earn the most in New York at $97,280 a year, and the least in New Mexico at $47,360. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $97,280 | 16,460 |
| Oregon | $83,010 | 2,660 |
| New Hampshire | $81,020 | 800 |
| Massachusetts | $79,120 | 10,850 |
| Vermont | $78,680 | 460 |
| District of Columbia | $76,560 | 960 |
| California | $76,010 | 29,210 |
| Rhode Island | $75,780 | 1,060 |
| Minnesota | $74,440 | 7,190 |
| Washington | $72,760 | 7,430 |
| Illinois | $71,950 | 10,330 |
| Colorado | $70,050 | 5,000 |
| Maine | $68,690 | 1,250 |
| Delaware | $68,630 | 690 |
| New Jersey | $68,450 | 7,000 |
| Hawaii | $66,020 | 1,090 |
| Wyoming | $65,510 | 450 |
| Connecticut | $65,310 | 3,670 |
| Montana | $65,190 | 1,020 |
| Ohio | $63,800 | 13,050 |
| Maryland | $63,690 | 6,200 |
| North Dakota | $62,680 | 1,370 |
| Arizona | $62,530 | 6,440 |
| Georgia | $62,180 | 11,540 |
| Tennessee | $62,070 | 8,410 |
| Kansas | $62,050 | 3,930 |
| West Virginia | $61,810 | 1,800 |
| Michigan | $61,260 | 10,000 |
| Virginia | $61,050 | 7,150 |
| Alaska | $60,950 | 680 |
| South Dakota | $60,890 | 1,280 |
| Kentucky | $60,880 | 4,860 |
| Wisconsin | $60,670 | 8,480 |
| North Carolina | $60,650 | 13,710 |
| Nebraska | $60,540 | 1,930 |
| Florida | $60,510 | 25,790 |
| Missouri | $60,300 | 7,670 |
| Texas | $59,290 | 29,530 |
| Nevada | $57,320 | 2,040 |
| Indiana | $57,080 | 7,210 |
| South Carolina | $55,280 | 4,380 |
| Louisiana | $54,460 | 3,790 |
| Iowa | $54,260 | 3,240 |
| Oklahoma | $53,300 | 4,250 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,680 | 13,020 |
| Mississippi | $50,640 | 3,070 |
| Arkansas | $49,670 | 3,180 |
| Alabama | $49,440 | 7,250 |
| Utah | $49,090 | 6,370 |
| Idaho | $47,450 | 1,590 |
| New Mexico | $47,360 | 2,160 |
State median wages for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians (SOC 29-2010), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians
The BLS projects employment of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians to grow 2.7% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 343,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 352,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 20,800 openings a year for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a clinical laboratory technologist and technician
The typical entry-level education for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a clinical laboratory technologist and technician earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New York, $97,280) and the lowest (New Mexico, $47,360) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 332,940 people work as clinical laboratory technologists and technicians in the United States. At $62,930 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Clinical laboratory technologist and technician salary FAQ
How much does a clinical laboratory technologist and technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a clinical laboratory technologist and technician is $30.26. The middle half of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians earn between $22.91 and $39.16 per hour.
What is the highest clinical laboratory technologist and technician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians earn more than $100,990 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a clinical laboratory technologist and technician make a year?
The median annual salary for a clinical laboratory technologist and technician is $62,930. The average (mean) wage of $67,350 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a clinical laboratory technologist and technician a well paid job?
At $62,930 a year, a clinical laboratory technologist and technician earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 332,940 people work as clinical laboratory technologists and technicians in the United States.
Which state pays clinical laboratory technologists and technicians the most?
New York has the highest median salary for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians at $97,280 a year. Oregon ($83,010) and New Hampshire ($81,020) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a clinical laboratory technologist and technician a good career?
Employment of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians is projected to grow 2.7% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 20,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a clinical laboratory technologist and technician?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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