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Hourly Wage for Medical Lab Technician I Salary in the United States

What is the hourly salary range of Medical Lab Technician I?

As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Medical Lab Technician I in the United States is $23, which translates to an annual salary of about $47,582.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $28 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $20 to $26 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $18 per hour

Key Factors That Influence Medical Lab Technician I Salaries

A Medical Lab Technician I'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.

How Experience Level Affects Medical Lab Technician I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Medical Lab Technician I'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:

  • Phlebotomist (0-0 years): $41,314
  • Hospital Lab Clerk (0-1 years): $42,514
  • Medical Lab Technician I (1-3 years): $47,582
  • Medical Lab Technician II (3-5 years): $55,435
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Phlebotomist0-0 years$41,314
Hospital Lab Clerk0-1 years$42,514
Medical Lab Technician I1-3 years$47,582
Medical Lab Technician II3-5 years$55,435

Top Paying Cities for Medical Lab Technician I

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:

  • San Jose: $60,015
  • San Francisco: $59,358
  • Oakland: $58,107

What Skills Can Increase a Medical Lab Technician I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 3.62% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Hematology (Mentioned in 3.33% Job Postings): Hematology is the branch of medicine concerned with the study of the cause, prognosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases related to blood.
  • Quality Assurance (Mentioned in 1.92% Job Postings): Verifying the adherence of product with required specifications and expectations to track and resolve deficiencies prior to product release.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 3.62%
Hematology 3.33%
Quality Assurance 1.92%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Medical Lab Technician I's salary.

  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Chemistry: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Collaboration $49,961
5%
Coordination $49,485
4%
Chemistry $49,009
3%

Medical Lab Technician I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Medical Lab Technician I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $53,626. While startup companies pay approximate $45,409.

Medical Lab Technician I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $45,409
Growth Stage 51~500 $48,014
Established 501~5000 $51,796
Enterprise 5000+ $53,626

Medical Lab Technician I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Medical Lab Technician I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Medical Lab Technician positions in Telecom or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Medical Lab Technician I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Medical Lab Technician I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$66,615$32.040%
Pharmaceuticals$61,857$30.030%
Healthcare$57,098$27.020%
Internet$52,340$25.010%
Chemicals$49,961$24.05%

Medical Lab Technician I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Medical Lab Technician I'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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$42,577
Average $47,582/year
$53,476
$3,548
Average $3,965/month
$4,456
$819
Average $915/week
$1,028
$20
Average $23/hour
$26
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $53,476 $4,456 $1,028 $26
Average $47,582 $3,965 $915 $23
25th Percentile $42,577 $3,548 $819 $20

Most common benefits for Medical Lab Technician I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Medical Lab Technician I

Here are companies hiring for Medical Lab Technician I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Medical Lab Technician I

1. What are the responsibilities of Medical Lab Technician I?

Performs a variety of routine and specialized diagnostic medical lab tests as requested by healthcare staff according to established protocols and procedures. Prepares specimens for microscopic examination or testing procedures. Operates automated laboratory instrumentation and equipment. Performs quality control and assurance procedures. Records lab results in specified system. Follows all required privacy, safety, and biohazard procedures and standards. Requires an associate degree in laboratory technology, science or equivalent. Requires valid certification or eligibility for certification exam as Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) from ASCP or AMT. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience.

2. What are the skills of Medical Lab Technician I

Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

1.)

Analysis: Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.

2.)

Hematology: Hematology is the branch of medicine concerned with the study of the cause, prognosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases related to blood.

3.)

Quality Assurance: Verifying the adherence of product with required specifications and expectations to track and resolve deficiencies prior to product release.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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