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Clinical laboratory technologist: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$62,930median pay per year, or $30.26 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $38,910lowest 10% earn less
  2. $47,65025th percentile
  3. $62,930median
  4. $81,45075th percentile
  5. $100,990top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians had a median pay of $62,930 a year in May 2025[1]. A bachelor's degree is the typical entry education, and jobs are projected to grow 2.7% from 2025 to 2035[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+2.7%[3]
Openings per year
20,800[6]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[2]

How much do clinical laboratory technologists make?

In May 2025, the median wage for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians was $62,930 a year, or $30.26 an hour[1]. Half of the workers earned more than the median and half earned less[1]. The mean (average) was $67,350 a year, or $32.38 an hour[7]. The median for all occupations was $50,980 a year[5].

The range is wide:

Point in the range Annual wage Hourly wage
10th percentile[4][8] $38,910 $18.71
25th percentile[4][8] $47,650 $22.91
Median[1] $62,930 $30.26
75th percentile[4][8] $81,450 $39.16
90th percentile[4][8] $100,990 $48.55

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $38,910, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $100,990[4]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].

These wages cover wage and salary workers, both part time and full time. They leave out the self-employed and do not include benefits or nonproduction bonuses[10].

Pay by state and city

New York had the highest median wage at $97,280[11]. Oregon followed at $83,010 and New Hampshire at $81,020[11]. New Mexico had the lowest listed median at $47,360[11].

The states with the most jobs were Texas (29,530), California (29,210), Florida (25,790), New York (16,460) and North Carolina (13,710)[12].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Binghamton, NY had the highest median at $102,040[13]. Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY was next at $98,290, then New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ at $96,930[13]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area also had the most jobs at 16,220, followed by Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA at 10,150[14].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
New York[11]$97,28016,460
Oregon$83,0102,660
New Hampshire$81,020800
Massachusetts$79,12010,850
Vermont$78,680460
District of Columbia$76,560960
California$76,01029,210
Rhode Island$75,7801,060
Minnesota$74,4407,190
Washington$72,7607,430
Illinois$71,95010,330
Colorado$70,0505,000
Maine$68,6901,250
Delaware$68,630690
New Jersey$68,4507,000
Hawaii$66,0201,090
Wyoming$65,510450
Connecticut$65,3103,670
Montana$65,1901,020
Ohio$63,80013,050
Maryland$63,6906,200
North Dakota$62,6801,370
Arizona$62,5306,440
Georgia$62,18011,540
Tennessee$62,0708,410
Kansas$62,0503,930
West Virginia$61,8101,800
Michigan$61,26010,000
Virginia$61,0507,150
Alaska$60,950680
South Dakota$60,8901,280
Kentucky$60,8804,860
Wisconsin$60,6708,480
North Carolina$60,65013,710
Nebraska$60,5401,930
Florida$60,51025,790
Missouri$60,3007,670
Texas$59,29029,530
Nevada$57,3202,040
Indiana$57,0807,210
South Carolina$55,2804,380
Louisiana$54,4603,790
Iowa$54,2603,240
Oklahoma$53,3004,250
Pennsylvania$51,68013,020
Mississippi$50,6403,070
Arkansas$49,6703,180
Alabama$49,4407,250
Utah$49,0906,370
Idaho$47,4501,590
New Mexico$47,3602,160

How to become a clinical laboratory technologist

BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education for entry, with no related work experience and no typical on-the-job training[2]. The Occupational Outlook Handbook adds that technicians sometimes qualify with an associate's degree[15]. The steps look like this:

Bachelor's programs include courses in chemistry, biology and hematology, plus supervised practice in a hospital or another clinical setting[21]. Some laboratory science programs take 2 years or less if you already have college coursework or a bachelor's degree[21]. You typically need to finish an accredited program before you can take a certification exam[22]. Specialty certification exists in areas such as histology and clinical chemistry for people with extra education and experience[23]. Some technicians move up to technologist jobs after gaining experience and more education[24]. Some kinds of technologists, such as cytotechnologists, need specialized education programs[25].

What clinical laboratory technologists do

O*NET treats technologists and technicians as two occupations. Technologists perform complex medical lab tests to help diagnose, treat and prevent disease, and may train or supervise staff[26]. Technicians perform routine tests and may work under a technologist's supervision[27]. Tasks include:

Workers report job titles such as medical technologist, clinical laboratory scientist and medical laboratory technician[30][31].

Where they work

Private general medical and surgical hospitals were the largest employer in 2025, at 36%[32]. Workers handle infectious specimens and other biohazardous substances[33]. They may need to stand for long periods[34]. To lower the risk of infection, they follow safety protocol and wear masks, gloves and goggles. Repetitive motion injuries are also possible[35].

Most work full time. Because hospitals and other medical facilities may be open around the clock, shifts can include nights, weekends or holidays[36].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 2.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 343,000 to 352,400 jobs, a change of 9,400[3]. All occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[37]. These counts include self-employed workers, who were 0.7% of the field in 2025[3][38]. The OEWS count of about 332,940 jobs covers wage and salary jobs only[39].

About 20,800 openings are projected each year, on average[6]. Openings count jobs that come open when people retire or change occupations, as well as brand new jobs[6]. Each year, 2.7% of workers leave the labor force and 3% move to a different occupation[40].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show median pay above the all-occupations median[1][5] and typical entry with a bachelor's degree[2]. Technicians can sometimes enter with an associate's degree[15]. Growth is projected to be a bit slower than for all occupations, with steady openings each year[3][37][6]. The work involves biohazards, long periods of standing and, in some places, shifts at night or on weekends[33][34][36]. Licensing differs by state, so check your state's rules before choosing a program[19].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[41].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a clinical laboratory technologist make an hour?
The median was $30.26 an hour and the mean was $32.38 an hour in May 2025[1][7].
What degree do you need to be a clinical laboratory technologist?
A bachelor's degree is the typical entry education[2]. Technicians sometimes qualify with an associate's degree[15].
Do you need a license to work in a clinical laboratory?
Some states require lab workers to be licensed or registered, and requirements vary by state and specialty[19].
What is the highest paying state for clinical laboratory technologists?
New York had the highest median at $97,280, ahead of Oregon at $83,010[11].
Is clinical laboratory technologist a growing field?
BLS projects 2.7% growth from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations, with about 20,800 openings a year[3][37][6].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians in the US was $62,930 per year and $30.26 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians is projected to grow 2.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 343,000 to 352,400 jobs (a change of +9,400). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians: 10th percentile $38,910, 25th percentile $47,650, 75th percentile $81,450, 90th percentile $100,990. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 20,800 openings for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians was $67,350 per year and $32.38 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians: 10th percentile $18.71, 25th percentile $22.91, 75th percentile $39.16, 90th percentile $48.55. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Median annual wage for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians jobs: Texas 29,530; California 29,210; Florida 25,790; New York 16,460; North Carolina 13,710. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians (areas with at least 100 jobs): Binghamton, NY $102,040; Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $98,290; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $96,930; Bend, OR $90,270; Vallejo, CA $86,250; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $84,870; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $84,200; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $84,130. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 16,220 (median $96,930); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 10,150 (median $67,430); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 9,420 (median $59,280); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 8,710 (median $79,480); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 7,620 (median $73,960); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 7,570 (median $61,970). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. O*NET description of Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians. O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET description of Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians. O*NET OnLine
  28. O*NET task list for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians. O*NET OnLine
  29. O*NET task list for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians. O*NET OnLine
  30. O*NET 29-2011.00 (Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists) sample job titles reported by workers: Clinical Chemist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS), Clinical Laboratory Technologist, Histologist Technologist, Lab Tech (Laboratory Technologist), Medical Lab Technologist (Medical Laboratory Technologist), Medical Technologist (MT), Microbiology Technologist (MT). O*NET OnLine
  31. O*NET 29-2012.00 (Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians) sample job titles reported by workers: Clinical Lab Tech (Clinical Laboratory Technician), Lab Assistant (Laboratory Assistant), Lab Associate (Laboratory Associate), Lab Tech (Laboratory Technician), Medical Lab Assistant (Medical Laboratory Assistant), Medical Technician (Medical Tech), Microbiology MLT (Microbiology Medical Laboratory Technician), MLT (Medical Laboratory Technician). O*NET OnLine
  32. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians in 2025: General medical and surgical hospitals; private 36%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  37. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  38. BLS Employment Projections: 0.7% of Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  39. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 332,940 people were employed as Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  40. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians: 2.7% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  41. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.