Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Medical Lab Technician I Salary in the United States

How much does a Medical Lab Technician I make in the United States?

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

However, a Medical Lab Technician I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $58,842
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $42,577 to $53,476
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,020
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

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
View as Graph

How Do Medical Lab Technician Is Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Lab Technician Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $52,683.
  • California: $52,483.
  • Massachusetts: $51,783.

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%
See More Skills

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%
Get Latest Data

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

Medical Lab Technician I Salary Growth & Career Path

Medical Lab Technician I

Next Role

For a Medical Lab Technician I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Medical Lab Technician II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $55,435 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.

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.

Find Your Next Medical Lab Technician I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Medical Lab Technician I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Medical Lab Technician I

1. Where can a Medical Lab Technician I earn the most?

A Medical Lab Technician I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Medical Lab Technician I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Medical Lab Technician I is $60,015.

2. What is the highest pay for Medical Lab Technician I?

The highest pay for Medical Lab Technician I is $58,842.

3. What is the lowest pay for Medical Lab Technician I?

The lowest pay for Medical Lab Technician I is $38,020.

4. 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.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Medical Lab Technician I?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Medical Lab Technician I roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job