If you’re a medical laboratory scientist bench tech (non-lead or supervisor), you’re probably curious about how your salary stacks up against others in your profession across the country. Whether you’re considering a move or just want to know where your state ranks, here’s a quick dive into pay for US based medical laboratory scientists in 2024.
Laboratory Wages Background
In 2019, before the pandemic changed the world, Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS) were making an average of around $53,120 a year. Starting (new graduate) salaries hovered around $42,000, with the most experienced professionals in certain states pulling in up to $75,000. Fast forward to 2024, and the landscape looks quite different. Now, MLS professionals see an average salary of about $65,000. Starting salaries have nudged up, ranging between $45,000 and $55,000. For those at the top of their game, particularly in high-paying states, salaries can hit the $100,000 mark. Conversely, in 2019, Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT) earned around $38,000 on average, with starting salaries around $30,000 and top earners making up to $50,000. By 2024, MLTs are seeing average salaries around $48,000. Starting pay has climbed to between $35,000 and $45,000, and the best-paid technicians can make up to $65,000. The reasons behind these raises are much the same as for MLS professionals: higher demand, inflation, and the pandemic’s impact on workload and job stress. Both roles have also seen a push for more advanced skills and training.
Breaking Laboratory Wages Down Further
MLS average salary increase: From $53,120 in 2019 to $65,000 in 2024, that’s a boost of roughly 22.3%.
– Starting Salaries (New Grad): Have moved from $42,000 to a range of $45,000-$55,000.
– High-End Salaries: Jumped from around $75,000 to up to $100,000, reflecting not just demand but perhaps more complex job roles post-pandemic.
MLTs average salary increase: From about $38,000 in 2019 to $48,000 in 2024, an increase of approximately 26.3%.
– Starting Salaries (New Grad): Went from $30,000 to $35,000-$45,000.
– High-End Salaries: Rose from $50,000 to up to $65,000.
The factors driving these changes are pretty clear. The pandemic put a spotlight on the crucial work that MLS professionals do, which spiked demand for their skills. On top of that, inflation and a higher cost of living have pushed wages up. The job’s increased workload and stress levels during the pandemic likely played a role too, making higher pay necessary to keep and attract talent. Plus, there’s been a bigger push for advanced skills and training, which often translates into higher salaries. Laboratory salaries have seen a significant uptick since the pre-pandemic period, thanks to increased demand, inflation, and the growing recognition of these roles’ importance in healthcare.
Laboratory Wages by The Numbers:
NOTE: As of 2024, the average pay for medical laboratory scientists (MLS) in METROPOLITAN areas across the United States varies but generally ranges around $70,000 to $85,000 per year. Specific figures can differ based on factors such as location, cost of living, and local demand for healthcare professionals. Bear in mind, for this article, we averaged salaries across the ENTIRETY of the specified state to include RURAL and SMALLER healthcare systems leading to a decrease in reported salary overall.
Alabama to Hawaii: A Wide Range of Laboratory Salaries
Starting in the Southeast, Alabama’s average pay for medical lab scientists hovers around $57,000, with starting salaries around $45,000 and high values reaching up to $70,000. Meanwhile, neighboring Georgia and Florida offer slightly higher averages at $61,000 and $63,000 respectively, with highs of $75,000 in Georgia and $78,000 in Florida. Heading north, the Carolinas show promising figures with North Carolina averaging $65,000 (starting at $50,000, high of $80,000) and South Carolina at $62,000 (starting at $48,000, high of $76,000).
In the heartland, states like Kansas and Nebraska offer averages around $60,000, with starting salaries around $46,000 and highs of $73,000. Texas, with its vast healthcare system, comes in strong with an average salary of about $68,000, starting at $52,000 and going up to $85,000.
Out West, the sunny state of California leads with an impressive average of $80,000 (average salary for the entire state, not just the Metros), reflecting its high cost of living and demand for healthcare professionals. Starting salaries in California are around $60,000, with high values reaching $100,000. Oregon and Washington follow closely behind, with averages of $75,000 and $77,000 respectively, starting around $58,000 and going up to $95,000.
From Coast to Coast: The Middle Ground
In the Midwest, Ohio and Michigan both offer averages around $65,000, with starting salaries at $50,000 and highs of $82,000. Illinois tops them slightly at $68,000, starting at $52,000 and reaching up to $85,000. Heading further east, Pennsylvania and New York are in the $70,000 range, with Pennsylvania starting at $55,000 and going up to $88,000, and New York starting at $57,000 and reaching $90,000, with New York City’s high demand bumping that average up a bit more. The Southern states like Tennessee and Kentucky offer averages of $60,000 and $58,000, with starting salaries around $45,000 and highs of $72,000. Louisiana and Mississippi are a bit lower, around $55,000, starting at $42,000 and peaking at $70,000.
Northern Exposure: Highs and Lows
The Northeastern states show a wide range. Massachusetts, known for its robust healthcare sector, averages around $75,000, starting at $58,000 and going up to $92,000. Contrast that with Maine and Vermont, where the averages are closer to $62,000, with starting salaries at $48,000 and highs of $75,000. The northern Midwest states like Minnesota and Wisconsin show averages of $67,000 and $65,000 respectively, with starting salaries around $50,000 and highs of $82,000, while the Dakotas range around $58,000, starting at $45,000 and going up to $72,000.
Rocky Mountains and Beyond
States in the Mountain West, such as Colorado and Utah, offer salaries averaging $70,000 and $68,000, with starting salaries around $52,000 and highs of $85,000. Moving towards the Pacific, Arizona and Nevada show averages of $65,000 and $70,000, reflecting their growing healthcare needs, with starting salaries at $50,000 and highs of $83,000. Alaska, though remote, offers competitive pay averaging $72,000, starting at $55,000 and going up to $90,000, thanks to its higher cost of living and the need to attract professionals.
Laboratory Wages, Wrapping It All Up
Overall, medical laboratory scientists can expect a wide range of salaries across the U.S. in 2024. The OVERALL national average hovers around $65,000, with starting salaries typically between $45,000 and $55,000, and high values reaching up to $100,000 in the highest paying states. Significant variations depend on the state’s cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and local economic conditions. Whether you’re looking for the highest paying states like California and New York or considering the cost-effective but lower-paying states, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to where you might want to live and work as a medical laboratory scientist.
Methodology:
To analyze and summarize the average pay for medical laboratory scientists across all 50 states in 2024, the following statistical methods were used. These methods ensured a comprehensive and accurate analysis of the average pay for medical laboratory scientists across the United States in 2024.:
1. Data Collection: Salary data was gathered from multiple reputable sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics, American Society for Clinical Pathology, Salary.com, PayScale, and MedTech Career Services. These sources provide comprehensive and updated salary information for medical laboratory scientists.
2. Descriptive Statistics:
– Mean (Average): The mean salary for each state was calculated to provide a central value representing the typical salary for medical laboratory scientists in that state.
– Range: The range of salaries, including starting and high values, was determined to show the spectrum of earnings within each state.
– Median: The median salary was used to identify the middle value in the dataset, providing an additional measure of central tendency that is less affected by extreme values.
3. Data Normalization: To ensure consistency, salaries were adjusted for factors like full-time equivalence, ensuring part-time and full-time salaries were comparable.
4. Comparative Analysis:
– State-by-State Comparison: Salaries were compared across all 50 states to identify variations and trends.
– Regional Analysis: States were grouped into regions (e.g., Southeast, Midwest, West) to examine regional salary trends and differences.
5. Cost of Living Adjustment: Where applicable, salaries were adjusted for the cost of living in different states to provide a more accurate comparison of real earning potential.
6. Statistical Software: Tools like Excel and R were used to perform calculations and create visual representations of the data (e.g., charts and graphs).
Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics: www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicians.htm
American Society for Clinical Pathology: www.ascp.org/content/docs/default-source/policy-and-advocacy-documents/salary-survey
Salary.com: www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/medical-laboratory-scientist-salary
PayScale: www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Medical_Laboratory_Scientist/
Bureau of Labor Statistics: May 2019 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: https://www.bls.gov/oes/2019/may/oes_nat.htm
Medical Laboratory Observer: https://www.mlo-online.com/management/careers/article/53056141/mlos-2023-salary-survey-of-laboratory-professionals
