How much money does a medical and clinical lab tech make per year? Medical and clinical laboratory technicians perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. They often may work under the supervision of a medical technologist.
Medical and clinical Lab Tech Educational Requirements
Medical and clinical laboratory technicians usually need an associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate. An associate’s degree takes approximately two years to complete. Some states require technologists and technicians to be licensed. For specific requirements, check with a local program in your state.
Medical and Clinical Lab Tech Salary
Medical and clinical lab techs earn a reasonable salary. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2014, medical and clinical lab techs earned an average salary of $40,750, and an average wage of $19.59 in the United States.
Keep in mind that this is only an average. This figure can vary depending on your level of experience, as well as the industry and state in which you work. Here is a video overview of salary information:
Industries with the highest levels of employment in this occupation:
The industries with the highest level of employment includes the following:
- General Medical and Surgical Hospitals (average salary of $41,210)
- Medical and Diagnostic laboratories (average salary of $40,180)
The Top Paying Industries
The top paying industries for medical and clinical lab techs are listed below:
- Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (average salary of $52,960)
- Dental Offices (average salary of $52,420)
Top and Lowest Paying States for Medical and Clinical Lab Techs
Here are the top and lowest paying states for a medical and clinical lab technician:
- Top two states: Rhode Island ($59,550) and Vermont ($51,450)
- Two lowest paying states: Idaho ($32,050) and Utah ($32,540)
Medical and Clinical Lab Tech Salary By State
Here is the average hourly wage and salary for a medical and clinical lab technician based on state location:
| Alabama Hourly Wage and Salary | 17.11 | 35600 |
| Alaska Hourly Wage and Salary | 23.57 | 49040 |
| Arizona Hourly Wage and Salary | 19.50 | 40560 |
| Arkansas Hourly Wage and Salary | 17.49 | 36390 |
| California Hourly Wage and Salary | 22.27 | 46320 |
| Colorado Hourly Wage and Salary | 20.34 | 42300 |
| Connecticut Hourly Wage and Salary | 23.91 | 49720 |
| Delaware Hourly Wage and Salary | 21.30 | 44310 |
| District of Columbia Hourly Wage and Salary | 21.74 | 45210 |
| Florida Hourly Wage and Salary | 16.44 | 34190 |
| Georgia Hourly Wage and Salary | 17.47 | 36330 |
| Guam Hourly Wage and Salary | 13.73 | 28560 |
| Hawaii Hourly Wage and Salary | 21.51 | 44740 |
| Idaho Hourly Wage and Salary | 15.41 | 32050 |
| Illinois Hourly Wage and Salary | 20.71 | 43070 |
| Indiana Hourly Wage and Salary | 17.57 | 36540 |
| Iowa Hourly Wage and Salary | 19.43 | 40420 |
| Kansas Hourly Wage and Salary | 18.21 | 37870 |
| Kentucky Hourly Wage and Salary | 18.56 | 38610 |
| Louisiana Hourly Wage and Salary | 16.53 | 34380 |
| Maine Hourly Wage and Salary | 18.32 | 38110 |
| Maryland Hourly Wage and Salary | 19.25 | 40050 |
| Massachusetts Hourly Wage and Salary | 21.10 | 43880 |
| Michigan Hourly Wage and Salary | 17.23 | 35830 |
| Minnesota Hourly Wage and Salary | 21.90 | 45550 |
| Mississippi Hourly Wage and Salary | 16.83 | 35010 |
| Missouri Hourly Wage and Salary | 18.79 | 39080 |
| Montana Hourly Wage and Salary | 18.44 | 38360 |
| Nebraska Hourly Wage and Salary | 18.02 | 37490 |
| Nevada Hourly Wage and Salary | 20.61 | 42860 |
| New Hampshire Hourly Wage and Salary | 20.06 | 41720 |
| New Jersey Hourly Wage and Salary | 24.23 | 50400 |
| New Mexico Hourly Wage and Salary | 19.60 | 40770 |
| New York Hourly Wage and Salary | 22.54 | 46870 |
| North Carolina Hourly Wage and Salary | 19.46 | 40480 |
| North Dakota Hourly Wage and Salary | 20.46 | 42560 |
| Ohio Hourly Wage and Salary | 20.00 | 41610 |
| Oklahoma Hourly Wage and Salary | 16.00 | 33270 |
| Oregon Hourly Wage and Salary | 20.67 | 42990 |
| Pennsylvania Hourly Wage and Salary | 19.74 | 41060 |
| Puerto Rico Hourly Wage and Salary | 12.12 | 25200 |
| Rhode Island Hourly Wage and Salary | 28.63 | 59550 |
| South Carolina Hourly Wage and Salary | 18.98 | 39470 |
| South Dakota Hourly Wage and Salary | 16.74 | 34810 |
| Tennessee Hourly Wage and Salary | 17.28 | 35940 |
| Texas Hourly Wage and Salary | 18.26 | 37980 |
| Utah Hourly Wage and Salary | 15.65 | 32540 |
| Vermont Hourly Wage and Salary | 24.74 | 51450 |
| Virgin Islands Hourly Wage and Salary | 16.68 | 34690 |
| Virginia Hourly Wage and Salary | 18.74 | 38980 |
| Washington Hourly Wage and Salary | 21.64 | 45000 |
| West Virginia Hourly Wage and Salary | 18.38 | 38230 |
| Wisconsin Hourly Wage and Salary | 22.31 | 46390 |
| Wyoming Hourly Wage and Salary | 19.06 | 39630 |
References:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Medical and Clinical Lab Technicians, on the Internet at bls.gov.