www.rsghealth.com/blog-posts/medical-laboratory-scientist-salaries-by-state-2026

If you're a medical laboratory scientist bench tech (non-lead or supervisor), you're probably curious about how your salary stacks up against others in your profession across the country. Whether you're considering a move or just want to know where your state ranks, here’s a quick dive into pay for US based medical laboratory scientists in 2026.

Laboratory Wages Background

Medical laboratory professionals have seen substantial changes in compensation since the years preceding the pandemic. As healthcare organizations continue to balance staffing needs, increasing testing demands, and operational costs, wages remain an important consideration for both experienced professionals and those entering the field.

According to PayScale's 2026 data, Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS) earn an average of $32.16 per hour, equivalent to approximately $66,893 annually based on a 40-hour workweek.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a 2025 median annual wage of $62,930 for the broader occupational category of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians. The distinction matters because this category includes both technologists and technicians, whose qualifications and compensation can differ.

PayScale reports an average of $26.70 per hour for entry-level MLS professionals with less than one year of experience. Higher earnings are possible as professionals gain experience, develop specialized skills, and pursue additional responsibilities.

The factors influencing compensation extend beyond years of experience. Geographic location, employer type, shift requirements, laboratory specialization, and local demand can all affect wages.

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Breaking Laboratory Wages Down Further

The latest available figures provide a useful snapshot of compensation across the profession.

Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS):

Average Hourly Pay: $32.16, according to PayScale's 2026 data.
Entry-Level Compensation: Approximately $26.70 per hour for professionals with less than one year of experience.
10th–90th Percentile Hourly Pay: $25.27–$40.75.
Approximate Annualized Average: $66,893, assuming 2,080 paid hours annually.

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians (Combined BLS Category):

National Median Salary: $62,930 annually.
Lower 10%: Earn less than $38,910 annually.
Upper 10%: Earn more than $100,990 annually.
Private General Medical and Surgical Hospitals: Median annual pay of $69,190.

These figures illustrate the variation across the laboratory profession. Because the data sources cover different populations and use different statistical measures, their estimates should be considered independently.

Compensation is only one part of the picture. Medical Laboratory Observer's 2025 survey also identified staffing shortages, workload concerns, and career advancement opportunities as important issues affecting laboratory professionals.

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Laboratory Wages by The Numbers:

NOTE: The state figures below come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics dataset. They represent clinical laboratory technologists and technicians combined—not MLS professionals exclusively.

Each state average reflects the annual mean wage across the state, including metropolitan and nonmetropolitan employment. Lower and upper figures refer to the 10th and 90th percentile annual wages.

Alabama to Hawaii: A Wide Range of Laboratory Salaries

Starting in the Southeast, Alabama reports an annual mean wage of $53,500, with earnings ranging from $34,790 at the 10th percentile to $79,520 at the 90th percentile. Neighboring Georgia and Florida report higher averages of $67,320 and $63,650, respectively, with upper-percentile wages reaching $101,020 in Georgia and $96,860 in Florida.

Heading north, North Carolina averages $62,140, with a 10th–90th percentile range of $39,860–$86,490. South Carolina reports an average of $58,670, with a corresponding range of $36,420–$81,930.

In the heartland, Kansas and Nebraska report annual mean wages of $64,310 and $62,070, respectively. Texas, with its extensive healthcare network, averages $61,730, with earnings ranging from $38,330 at the 10th percentile to $94,830 at the 90th percentile.

Out West, California reports an annual mean wage of $78,840, with upper-percentile earnings reaching $126,870. Oregon leads this group with an average of $83,990, while Washington reports $76,370. Their 90th-percentile wages reach $117,640 and $112,020, respectively.

From Coast to Coast: The Middle Ground

In the Midwest, Ohio and Michigan report annual mean wages of $64,910 and $61,840, respectively. Illinois is higher at $72,140, with wages ranging from $44,980 at the 10th percentile to $99,970 at the 90th percentile.

Farther east, Pennsylvania reports an average of $59,470, while New York stands considerably higher at $93,610. New York's 90th-percentile wage reaches $132,530, illustrating the substantial differences that can exist between state labor markets.

Southern states also show notable variation. Tennessee averages $62,930, followed by Kentucky at $61,770. Louisiana and Mississippi report lower averages of $57,130 and $54,580, respectively.

These differences reinforce the importance of considering both compensation and local living expenses when evaluating a potential relocation.

Northern Exposure: Highs and Lows

The Northeast continues to offer a broad range of compensation.

Massachusetts reports an annual mean wage of $77,230, with a 10th–90th percentile range of $47,360–$105,750. Maine averages $68,900, while Vermont reports a comparatively higher average of $80,100.

In the northern Midwest, Minnesota averages $73,630, compared with $63,560 in Wisconsin. Minnesota's upper-percentile wages reach $101,190, while Wisconsin's reach $84,980.

The Dakotas offer somewhat lower averages. North Dakota reports $62,250, while South Dakota averages $60,940. Their respective 90th-percentile wages are $83,920 and $81,560.

Rocky Mountains and Beyond

In the Mountain West, Colorado reports an annual mean wage of $73,270, with earnings ranging from $47,050 at the 10th percentile to $102,900 at the 90th percentile. Utah's average is lower at $56,980, with upper-percentile wages reaching $86,080.

Moving toward the Southwest, Arizona and Nevada report remarkably similar averages of $66,140 and $66,160, respectively. Arizona's upper-percentile earnings reach $99,560, while Nevada's reach $103,890.

Alaska reports an average annual wage of $69,270, with 90th-percentile earnings reaching $109,080. Geographic isolation, employer needs, and local living costs remain important considerations when comparing opportunities in the state.

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Laboratory Wages, Wrapping It All Up

Medical laboratory compensation continues to vary substantially across the United States.

PayScale's 2026 data places average MLS compensation at approximately $66,893 annually, based on its reported hourly average and a standard full-time schedule.

The BLS reports a $62,930 national median for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians combined, with substantial variation by state and employer.

States such as New York, Oregon, California, and Massachusetts offer relatively high average wages within the combined BLS occupational category. However, higher compensation does not always translate into greater purchasing power, particularly in areas with elevated housing and living costs.

Whether you're considering a move to a higher-paying state or evaluating opportunities closer to home, salary is only one part of the decision. Schedule flexibility, professional development, benefits, workplace culture, and long-term career goals deserve consideration as well.

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Methodology:

This updated comparison uses publicly available compensation data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, PayScale, and Medical Laboratory Observer.

Data Collection: State wage estimates were obtained from the May 2025 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics dataset for SOC 29-2010. MLS-specific national estimates came from PayScale's 2026 compensation data.
Descriptive Statistics: State comparisons use annual mean wages and 10th and 90th percentile wages. National BLS figures use the median where indicated.
Occupational Classification: BLS state figures include clinical laboratory technologists and technicians together. They should not be interpreted as MLS-only salary estimates.
Comparative Analysis: States were grouped geographically to illustrate differences in compensation across regions.
Cost of Living: Regional living expenses are discussed qualitatively. No mathematical cost-of-living adjustment was applied to the reported wages.
Data Limitations: Wage estimates reflect different reporting periods, samples, and occupational definitions. The figures are not forecasts or guaranteed salaries.

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Sources:

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Medical Laboratory Scientist Salaries Across the U.S. in 2026