Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians Salary

The median clinical laboratory technologists and technicians salary in the United States is $62,930 per year ($30.26/hour). Salaries range from $38,910 at the entry level to $100,990+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 332,940 clinical laboratory technologists and technicians jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 1.7% through 2034.

Last updated: June 2026 Β· Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Also known asMedical Lab TechClinical Lab Tech
Median Salary
$62,930
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.26
per hour
Employment
332,940
jobs in the U.S.

Salary Distribution

10th percentile
$38,910
25th percentile
$47,650
Median
$62,930
75th percentile
$81,450
90th percentile
$100,990

Job Growth (2024-2034)

+1.7%
Slower than average

Annual Openings

22,600
jobs/year (growth + replacements)

Education Required

Bachelor's degree

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians Career Guide

Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for clinical laboratory technologists and technicianss.

Clinical Lab Techs (Medical Technologists MT/MLS + Medical Lab Technicians MLT) run diagnostic tests on blood + tissue + microorganisms β€” the essential invisible backbone of medicine. MLT entry $42-58k; MLS/MT entry $58-72k; senior/lead $72-95k; specialty (Blood Bank + Microbiology + Molecular) $85-115k+; lab managers $105-155k. ASCP certification + state licensure. Massive workforce shortage = growing pay + sign-on bonuses.

Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For

Hematology + chemistry + coagulation
CBC + differential + electrolytes + LFT + coag studies. Automated + manual verification + delta checks.
Microbiology
Culture + sensitivity + Gram stains + specialized organisms (TB + fungal + molecular). Antibiotic susceptibility.
Blood bank + transfusion
Type + crossmatch + antibody screen/ID + transfusion reaction workup + specialized components.
Molecular + genetic testing
PCR + next-gen sequencing + molecular oncology + infectious disease + growing specialty.
Quality control + regulatory
CAP + JC + CLIA + Westgard rules + method validation + proficiency testing + audit compliance.
LIS + specimen management
Cerner Millennium + Epic Beaker + Sunquest + Meditech + specialty LIS. Barcode + tracking + result verification.
Troubleshooting + interpretation
Recognize preanalytical + analytical errors + call pathologist + flag critical values + educate MDs when needed.

How to Become a Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

  1. 1
    Choose MLT or MT/MLS path
    MLT: 2-year associate's degree ($15-30k). MT/MLS: 4-year bachelor's ($40-90k). MT/MLS earns more + more career options.
  2. 2
    Complete NAACLS-accredited program + clinical rotations
    Classroom + 15-16 weeks + clinical rotations at hospital labs. Some programs include 3+1 (3 years academic + 1 year clinical).
  3. 3
    Pass ASCP + state licensure
    ASCP Board of Certification ($240 exam) + state licensing where required. AAB alternative certification also accepted.
  4. 4
    Start in general lab + specialize
    Hospital or reference lab (LabCorp + Quest). Rotate through departments first year + specialize 2-3 years.
  5. 5
    Move to senior + lead + management
    5-10 years to Senior Tech + Lead. 10-20 years to Lab Manager + Supervisor. Path also to Pathology PA + Molecular specialist + Cytogenetics.

Career Progression

MLT / Entry Medical Tech
0-2 yrs$42-62k + shift diff
  • β€’Run automated tests
  • β€’Basic manual work
  • β€’QC + reagent prep
  • β€’Result reporting
Next: MT/MLS or Senior MLT at 2-4 years.
Medical Technologist / MLS
2-8 yrs$60-88k + shift/call diff
  • β€’Complex testing
  • β€’Method troubleshooting
  • β€’Multi-department competency
  • β€’Precept students
Next: Senior/Specialty MT at 8-12 years.
Senior / Specialty Tech (Blood Bank + Micro + Molecular)
8-15 yrs$82-115k + differentials
  • β€’Specialty expertise
  • β€’Method development + validation
  • β€’Team lead + mentor
  • β€’QA + accreditation prep
Next: Lead/Supervisor at 12-18 years.
Lab Manager / Technical Supervisor
15+ yrs$105-165k + bonus
  • β€’Department P&L or technical operations
  • β€’Team of 15-60 techs
  • β€’Accreditation + QA + regulatory
  • β€’Vendor + budget
Next: Lab Director + Chief Tech + system-level roles.

Interview Questions & Answers

5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 15 total plus resume bullets for every level.

Q1. Walk me through delta check + critical value handling.technical
Compare to prior + investigate + rerun if suspect + call clinician immediately for critical + document per protocol.
Q2. How do you troubleshoot a QC failure?situational
Follow Westgard rules + rerun + check reagent + calibration + review recent maintenance + escalate to lead + document.
Q3. Explain Gram stain procedure + interpretation.technical
Fixation + crystal violet + iodine + decolorize + safranin + microscopy + report bacteria + morphology + arrangement + WBC.
Q4. How do you handle a transfusion reaction workup?situational
Stop transfusion + immediate labs + clerical check + repeat crossmatch + notify blood bank + document + report.
Q5. Where do you see career in 5 years?closer
Specialty certification + Senior/Lead role + potentially technical supervisor or specialty area career.

Resume Template β€” MLT (0-2 yrs)

Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.

MLT (0-2 yrs)
  • β–ΈRan 380+ specimens/shift across hematology + chemistry + coagulation at 400-bed hospital.
  • β–ΈPassed ASCP MLT + state license within 60 days of graduation + zero QC failures in first 12 months.
  • β–ΈCross-trained in urinalysis + phlebotomy + specimen processing within first 6 months.
  • β–ΈVerified 220+ critical value calls to physicians with 100% timeliness compliance.

What Gets You Rejected

  • βœ—Weak analytical thinking or troubleshooting.
  • βœ—Cant handle high-volume workload.
  • βœ—Poor QC discipline.
  • βœ—Documentation issues.
  • βœ—Weak communication with physicians.
  • βœ—No specialty focus or cross-training.

Salary Negotiation Levers

  • βœ“Massive workforce shortage = sign-on bonuses $5-25k + retention.
  • βœ“Specialty (Blood Bank + Micro + Molecular + Cytogenetics) = $8-20k premium.
  • βœ“Shift differential: night + weekend = $2-8/hour additional.
  • βœ“Traveling tech rates: $2,200-3,200/week ($130-185k equivalent).
  • βœ“MT/MLS vs MLT = $12-25k premium at same experience.
  • βœ“Metro premium: 15-25% at academic medical centers.
  • βœ“Union hospital pay + pension structure + PSLF eligible.

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians Resume Review β€” $29

Personalized resume review from someone who has hired clinical laboratory technologists and technicianss. Purchase, email your resume to support@weblabra.com, and receive detailed written feedback within 7 days.

  • βœ“ Occupation-specific critique (not generic)
  • βœ“ Rewrite suggestions for weak bullets
  • βœ“ Missing skills / keywords flagged
  • βœ“ Formatting + ATS-readability feedback
  • βœ“ 7-day turnaround, 100% refund if we miss it

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians Career Kit β€” $19

  • βœ“ All 15 interview questions with expert answers
  • βœ“ 7 real questions aggregated from Glassdoor, Blind, Reddit, LinkedIn
  • βœ“ Interview format intel for 7 top employers
  • βœ“ 3 copy-paste salary negotiation emails
  • βœ“ Resume bullets for every level of the career ladder
  • βœ“ 30–60–90 day plan for your first role
  • βœ“ Cover letter templates specific to this occupation
  • βœ“ Detailed salary negotiation script
  • βœ“ Ranked list of certifications with cost + ROI
  • βœ“ Downloadable PDF for offline access
  • βœ“ Instant access, no expiration, no subscription
βœ“ 7-day money-back guarantee β€” no questions asked

One-time purchase. 7-day refund guarantee.

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Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians Salary by State

Best Cities (cost-adjusted) β†’

Salary Map β€” Click a state for details

$47K
$97Kβ–  No data

Top Paying States

New York
$97K
+55%
Oregon
$83K
+32%
New Hampshire
$81K
+29%
Massachusetts
$79K
+26%
Vermont
$79K
+25%
District of Columbia
$77K
+22%
California
$76K
+21%
Rhode Island
$76K
+20%
Minnesota
$74K
+18%
Washington
$73K
+16%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
StateMedianvs. National
New York$97,280+54.6%
Oregon$83,010+31.9%
New Hampshire$81,020+28.7%
Massachusetts$79,120+25.7%
Vermont$78,680+25.0%
District of Columbia$76,560+21.7%
California$76,010+20.8%
Rhode Island$75,780+20.4%
Minnesota$74,440+18.3%
Washington$72,760+15.6%
1–10 of 51

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians Salary by Metro Area

Metro AreaMedianvs. National
Kingston, NY$103,180+64.0%
Binghamton, NY$102,040+62.1%
Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY$98,290+56.2%
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$96,930+54.0%
Bend, OR$90,270+43.4%
Vallejo, CA$86,250+37.1%
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$84,870+34.9%
Albany, OR$84,850+34.8%
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA$84,200+33.8%
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$84,130+33.7%
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Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
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