Entry-Level Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Bend, OR: $57,102 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical and clinical laboratory technologists entering the Bend, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $57,102 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2010, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Bend's local price level (BEA RPP 103.6 — 4% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $55,114 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($98,595) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
A promising starting point for new graduates entering the field of medical and clinical laboratory technology in Bend, Oregon, is projected to be around $57,102 in 2026. This entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in Bend is noticeably below the city's median of $98,595, yet it offers a solid foundation for early-career professionals. Graduates can foresee a growth trajectory over the first few years, moving towards the $74,468 mark at the 25th percentile and eventually approaching the median salary. With an annual growth rate of 3.04%, prospects look optimistic, making Bend a reasonable market for new graduates eyeing their first professional role.
Career Earnings Timeline in Bend
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 Bend
Entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Bend, OR typically start between $57,102 and $74,468 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $65,446 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $98,595 — 43.44% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average clinical laboratory science program cost in Oregon of $56,000 represents just 98.07% of the starting medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay ($57,102/year) in Bend. 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 Bend
- 1Research the Bend market: entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay ranges from $57,102 to $74,468, 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 OR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Bend, 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 Bend for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Bend'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 Bend is $65,446 ( 114.61%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $57,102, experienced hygienists can earn up to $122,548.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$35,510
2025 BLS Actual
$55,417
2026 Current Est.
$57,102
2019–2027 Growth
+65.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,510 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,417 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,102 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,838 | Projected |
Entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Bend, OR grew 56.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $35,510 in 2019 to $55,417 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $58,838. New graduates entering the Bend job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bend 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 Bend
New graduates can find employment opportunities within larger hospital systems and corporate group practices that are more inclined to welcome entry-level professionals. These employers often provide structured onboarding processes that support new hires in their initial adjustment. Adding to their credentials through state licensure and obtaining optional advanced certifications can enhance starting pay in Oregon, which is advantageous. In the first few years, compensation may vary significantly based on employer type and therefore it’s prudent for new grads to focus on gaining experience and building their skill sets while exploring different work environments. Realistically, new graduates might expect a gradual increase in salary as they move through the first few years, aligning with the upward trend of the field.
More salary data for Bend, OR:
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 Bend. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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