Clinical Laboratory Scientist Salary in 2026
Perform complex laboratory tests to detect, diagnose, and treat diseases.
Median Salary
$58,000
$4,833/mo
Entry Level
$45,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$75,000
experienced
Job Growth
+7%
10-yr outlook
Clinical Laboratory Scientist Overview
Perform complex laboratory tests to detect, diagnose, and treat diseases.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
1-2 years
Industry
Healthcare
Total Jobs (US)
340K
5-Year Growth
+8%
Category
Healthcare
Hourly Rate
$27.88/hr
Monthly Pay
$4,833
Clinical Laboratory Scientist Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Clinical Laboratory Scientist salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Clinical Laboratory Scientist Salary
$65,000
$5,417/month · $2,500/biweekly · $31.25/hr
Clinical Laboratory Scientist Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Clinical Laboratory Scientist field.
Entry-level Clinical Laboratory Scientists earn around $45,000, while the top 10% earn $81,500 or more.
Top Paying States for Clinical Laboratory Scientists
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $68,000 | +$10,000 |
| New York | $67,000 | +$9,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,000 | $0 |
| Texas | $57,000 | $-1,000 |
| Florida | $57,000 | $-1,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Clinical Laboratory Scientists
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $68,000 | +$10,000 |
| Los Angeles | $65,000 | +$7,000 |
| Chicago | $61,000 | +$3,000 |
| Philadelphia | $59,000 | +$1,000 |
| Houston | $57,000 | $-1,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Clinical Laboratory Scientist Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Clinical Laboratory Scientist from entry level to expert.
$45,000
0-2 years
$60,000
3-7 years
$75,000
8-14 years
$88,000
15+ years
Related Healthcare Jobs
Clinical Laboratory Scientist Salary FAQ
Methodology & Data Sources — Clinical Laboratory Scientist Salary
How we calculate Clinical Laboratory Scientist salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $58,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Clinical Laboratory Scientist in the Healthcare sector.
- Entry-level ($45,000) and senior-level ($75,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +7% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 340K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 8% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Healthcare sector wages.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $58,000.
Authoritative US data sources for Clinical Laboratory Scientist compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Clinical Laboratory Scientist job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections — 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index — quarterly compensation trend data for Healthcare
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Clinical Laboratory Scientist salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Blood Analysis, Microbiology, Chemistry), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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