Medical Laboratory Technician Salary Guide
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Medical laboratory technicians, also called clinical laboratory techs, are allied health professionals who perform standard lab tests on urine, blood, tissue and other patient samples. Healthcare providers use the test results to screen for and diagnose illnesses and develop treatment plans. Medical lab techs collect and store samples, perform routine tests and update patient records. They calibrate and troubleshoot lab equipment and maintain a sterile environment to ensure reliable test results. Although medical lab technologists have similar roles, they usually perform more complex testing.
How do you become a medical laboratory technician?
A medical lab tech holds a minimum of an associate degree from an accredited medical laboratory technology program. You may wish to earn a bachelor's degree to pave the way to a medical lab technologist or leadership position.
In some states, you must obtain a license before working as a lab technician. According to the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science website on April 13, 2023, these states include:
California
Florida
Hawaii
Louisiana
Montana
New York
Nevada
North Dakota
Tennessee
West Virginia.
Licensure requirements vary and may include certification.
What credentials/licensing does a medical laboratory technician require?
Certification is essential, even if you work in a state that doesn't require it for licensure. Many employers prefer job candidates who have demonstrated they possess the competencies needed to work in a clinical lab through professional certification.
American Medical Technologists and the American Society for Clinical Pathology offer the following certification exams:
Average Medical Laboratory Technician Salary
$35.20/hour
The average salary for a Medical Laboratory Technician is $35.20 per hour. This is 18% lower than the practicing US average of $41.53.
Last updated on April 18, 2024. Based on active jobs on Vivian.com.
Salaries for Medical Laboratory Technician compared to Allied Health Professional National Averages
$35.20/hour
18% lower than the practicing US average.
$41.53/hour
United States
Where do Medical Lab Technicians get paid the most?
| State | Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | $40 | $52 |
| Georgia | $38 | $45 |
| Nevada | $36 | $50 |
| North Carolina | $32 | $45 |
What are the highest paying Employers and Agencies for Medical Laboratory Technician jobs?
| Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Sutter Health | $57 | $57 |
| The Valley Health System | $38 | $41 |
| St. Luke's Health System | $34 | $34 |
| Mary Washington Healthcare | $33 | $33 |
| Stability Direct | $32 | $32 |
| Baptist Health System - San Antonio TX | $31 | $31 |
| Netpace Health | $29 | $34 |
| UNC Health | $28 | $32 |
| RestoraCare Staffing | $27 | $29 |
| Memorial Hermann Health System | $27 | $27 |
Last updated on April 18, 2024. Information based on active jobs on Vivian.com and pay data from BLS and around the web.
Medical Laboratory Technician Career Guide
Use our exclusive Career Guides to research the education, qualifications, skills and responsibilities for a variety of healthcare disciplines and specialties employers are hiring now.
Go to the guideTop Medical Laboratory Technician Jobs
Medical Lab Technician
- Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital
- The Woodlands, TX
- 5x8 hrs
Medical Lab Technician
- Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center
- LAS VEGAS, NV
- 5x8 hrs, Days
Medical Lab Technician
- WEST HENDERSON HOSPITAL
- HENDERSON, NV
- 3x12 hrs, Flexible
Medical Lab Technician
- WEST HENDERSON HOSPITAL
- HENDERSON, NV
- 3x12 hrs, Flexible
Medical Lab Technician
- Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center
- LAS VEGAS, NV
- 5x8 hrs
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How can you increase your pay as a medical lab technician?
Consider taking a staff position in an area with an immediate need for medical lab technicians. Some jobs posted on Vivian on April 14, 2023, were paying hourly rates as high as $43 in Ohio, $42 in Virginia, $36 in Florida and $31 in Texas. Many employers were also offering sign-on bonuses.
If you hold an associate degree, consider upgrading to a bachelor's degree to qualify you for a medical lab technologist or medical lab scientist position. These jobs offer more responsibilities and pay. A bachelor's degree can also help you transition into leadership roles as a supervisor or manager.
How much does a staff medical laboratory technician make?
Staff medical lab technicians earned an average of $29.10 per hour, according to Vivian's salary data on April 13, 2023.
Is a medical laboratory technician a growing career?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) collects employment data for clinical laboratory technicians and technologists. Because lab testing provides healthcare providers with vital information to help treat patients, these jobs are expected to grow 7% between 2021 and 2031, according to May 2021 BLS data. It estimates about 25,600 job openings in this field each year during this decade.
What types of employers/facilities have the most medical lab technicians employed?
Most medical lab technicians work in hospitals and diagnostic labs.
Which employers/facilities have the highest pay?
On average, medical lab technician staff salaries are highest in hospitals and lowest in physician practices.
How does medical lab technician pay compare to similar healthcare jobs?
A staff medical lab technician makes an average salary of $29.10 per hour, comparable to the $30.34 hourly rate earned by an X-ray technician, according to Vivian's data on April 13, 2023. This rate is slightly more than the average salary of $28.66 per hour earned by a staff EKG technician but less than the average of $37.60 per hour made by a staff pathology assistant.
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