Entry-Level Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Dickinson, ND: $40,122 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical and clinical laboratory technologists entering the Dickinson, ND job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $40,122 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2010, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Dickinson's local price level (BEA RPP 92.0 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $43,611 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($65,541) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the field of medical and clinical laboratory technology in Dickinson, ND, can expect a starting salary around $40,122 in 2026. While this figure represents an entry-level benchmark, it falls significantly below the city median salary of $65,541, reflecting the typical gap that early-career professionals may face in their initial roles. However, there's an opportunity for growth as new technologists can anticipate earnings to increase along a trajectory that takes them through the $48,717 threshold (P25) and closer to the median within their first three to five years. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.04%, Dickinson remains a viable job market for recent graduates eager to begin their careers in a supportive healthcare environment.
About the Dickinson Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Dickinson
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 Dickinson
Entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Dickinson, ND typically start between $40,122 and $48,717 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $61,466 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $65,541 — 4.65% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average clinical laboratory science program cost in North Dakota of $38,000 represents just 94.71% of the starting medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay ($40,122/year) in Dickinson. 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 Dickinson
- 1Research the Dickinson market: entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay ranges from $40,122 to $48,717, 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 ND often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Dickinson, 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 Dickinson for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Dickinson's below-average 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 Dickinson is $61,466 ( 153.20%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $40,122, experienced hygienists can earn up to $101,588.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$30,942
2025 BLS Actual
$38,938
2026 Current Est.
$40,122
2019–2027 Growth
+33.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Dickinson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,942 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,473 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,302 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,245 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,796 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,101 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,938 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,122 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,341 | Projected |
Entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Dickinson, ND grew 25.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $30,942 in 2019 to $38,938 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $41,341. New graduates entering the Dickinson job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dickinson 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 Dickinson
Hiring institutions such as large hospital systems and corporate group practices in Dickinson are often the primary employers of new graduates in this field. These organizations typically offer structured onboarding programs that can help facilitate a smoother transition into professional roles, which is critical for early-career success. To enhance starting pay and career prospects, pursuing state licensure and optional advanced certifications recognized by the profession's national body can be advantageous. Within the first one to three years, salary growth can vary widely based on employer type, geographic market, and credential mix, but new graduates can realistically aim for increases that will bring them closer to the higher end of the salary spectrum. Overall, entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Dickinson are a good starting point for those ready to invest in their professional development within healthcare.
More salary data for Dickinson, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Dickinson in 2026?
How fast do medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries grow in Dickinson?
Is clinical laboratory science school worth it in Dickinson?
What do new medical and clinical laboratory technologists make right out of school in Dickinson?
How do I become a medical and clinical laboratory technologist in North Dakota?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Dakota
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 Dickinson. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Dickinson 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