Entry-Level Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Keene, NH: $48,497 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical and clinical laboratory technologists entering the Keene, NH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $48,497 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2010, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Keene's local price level (BEA RPP 107.3 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $45,198 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($74,900) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduates entering the medical and clinical laboratory technologist field in Keene, New Hampshire, can expect starting salaries around $48,497 in 2026, which is approximately 35% lower than the city median annual salary of $74,900 for all technologists. For new professionals, this starting pay allows for potential growth as they gain experience and further professional accreditation, with the ability to reach $57,594 within their first few years. Advancing within this career can lead to greater earnings, eventually reaching the city’s median as skill sets develop. Currently, Keene is a viable market for new graduates due to a relatively strong demand for laboratory technologists, setting the stage for those just entering the workforce.
About the Keene Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($74,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Keene
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Keene
Entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Keene, NH typically start between $48,497 and $57,594 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $64,608 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $74,900 — 8.97% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average clinical laboratory science program cost in New Hampshire of $68,000 represents just 140.21% of the starting medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay ($48,497/year) in Keene. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on NAACLS-accredited MLS bachelor's programs and state university tuition data. The role is sometimes called Medical Technologist (MT) or Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS); BLS aggregates these under the broader OCC 29-2010 'Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians' group code, which also covers MLT (associate-degree technicians, OCC 29-2012). National data and state-level wages reflect the combined group, since the 2024 BLS national OEWS file does not separately publish 29-2011 (Technologists) and 29-2012 (Technicians) at the national level.
MLS Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Keene
- 1Research the Keene market: entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay ranges from $48,497 to $57,594, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the clinical laboratory science field — employers in NH often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Keene, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Keene for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Keene's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Compensation Range
The medical and clinical laboratory technologist wage spread in Keene is $64,608 ( 133.22%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $48,497, experienced hygienists can earn up to $113,105.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$37,401
2025 BLS Actual
$47,066
2026 Current Est.
$48,497
2019–2027 Growth
+33.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Keene (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,401 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,042 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,627 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,603 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,477 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,934 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,066 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,497 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,971 | Projected |
Entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Keene, NH grew 25.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $37,401 in 2019 to $47,066 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $49,971. New graduates entering the Keene job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Keene metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.04% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your clinical laboratory science Career in Keene
In Keene, several healthcare employers such as large hospital systems and corporate group practices frequently hire new graduates with structured onboarding programs that facilitate a smooth transition into the workforce. To enhance earning potential as a new grad medical and clinical laboratory technologist in NH, aspiring professionals should focus on obtaining state licensure, and may benefit from obtaining advanced certifications recognized by the national professional body. In the first three years, realistic salary growth for newly hired technologists often depends on the employer type and the geographic area. Entry-level positions usually start low, but with experience and credential expansions, new technologists can reasonably expect to see their payrise considerably, reflecting the demand for skilled professionals and the unique circumstances of the local market in Keene.
More salary data for Keene, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Alexandra Choi, MS, MT(ASCP)
Career Analyst
Alexandra has 10 years of experience in clinical laboratory science. She specializes in molecular diagnostics. She works at a large metropolitan hospital.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new clinical laboratory science graduates. A 3.04% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Keene. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Keene is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.04%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical and clinical laboratory technologists (SOC 29-2010).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Choi, MS, MT(ASCP), a licensed medical and clinical laboratory technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov