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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Medical Laboratory Technologist in California is $61,201 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.
However, a Medical Laboratory Technologist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Medical Laboratory Technologist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $69,201 | $5,767 | $1,331 | $33 |
| Average | $61,201 | $5,100 | $1,177 | $29 |
| 25th Percentile | $54,701 | $4,558 | $1,052 | $26 |
K.A. Recruiting - June Lake, CA
K.A. Recruiting - San Francisco, CA
K.A. Recruiting - Grass Valley, CA
K.A. Recruiting - Palm Desert, CA
A Medical Laboratory Technologist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Medical Laboratory Technologist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Phlebotomist | 0-0 years | $45,569 |
| Lab Support Clerk | 0-1 years | $46,893 |
| Certified MLT I | 1-3 years | $52,483 |
| Medical Laboratory Technologist | 3-5 years | $61,145 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Medical Laboratory Technologists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Medical Laboratory Technologist salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $68,974. While startup companies pay approximate $58,406.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $58,406 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $61,757 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $66,621 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $68,974 |
For Medical Laboratory Technologist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 95% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Medical Laboratory Technologist positions in Telecom or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Medical Laboratory Technologist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $85,681 | $41.0 | 40% |
| Healthcare | $79,561 | $38.0 | 30% |
| Biotechnology | $73,441 | $35.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $67,321 | $32.0 | 10% |
| Chemicals | $64,261 | $31.0 | 5% |
Understanding how a Medical Laboratory Technologist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $69,201 | $5,767 | $1,331 | $33 |
| Average | $61,201 | $5,100 | $1,177 | $29 |
| 25th Percentile | $54,701 | $4,558 | $1,052 | $26 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Medical Laboratory Technologist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Highland Hospital
Oakland, CA
Highland Hospital | Oakland, CA
Lab Technologist. Highland Hospital is seeking a full time Lab Technologist to join its team. Candidates for this role will work 40 hours per week, Monday-... more
8 Days Ago
National Guard Employment Network
Oakland, CA
National Guard Employment Network | Oakland, CA
QC Lab Technologist. Joining The American Red Cross is like nothing else it's as much something you feel as something you do. You become a vital part of th... more
9 Days Ago
NeoGenomics
Aliso Viejo, CA
NeoGenomics | Aliso Viejo, CA
Clinical Laboratory Technologist. Are you motivated to participate in a dynamic, multi-tasking environment. Do you want to join a company that invests in i... more
10 Days Ago
Providence Health & Services
Mission Viejo, CA
Providence Health & Services | Mission Viejo, CA
Medical Laboratory Technician - Clinical Laboratory. Medical Laboratory Technician - Clinical Laboratory at Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, C... more
7 Days Ago
Ansible Government Solutions
Loma Linda, CA
Ansible Government Solutions | Loma Linda, CA
Medical Laboratory Technician. Ansible Government Solutions, LLC (Ansible) is currently recruiting medical laboratory technicians (MLT) to support the VA L... more
6 Days Ago
Marshall Medical Center
Placerville, CA
Marshall Medical Center | Placerville, CA
Job Posting. POSITION SUMMARY. The Medical Lab Technician (MLT) ensures the smooth flow of laboratory patients, specimens and information and performs chem... more
6 Days Ago
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