Entry-Level Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Coos Bay, OR: $54,028 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical and clinical laboratory technologists entering the Coos Bay, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $54,028 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2010, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Coos Bay's local price level (BEA RPP 102.6 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $52,659 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($85,768) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the medical and clinical laboratory technologist field in Coos Bay, Oregon can anticipate starting salaries around $54,028 in 2026. While this figure may seem modest compared to the median annual salary of $85,768 for experienced professionals in the area, it reflects typical early-career earnings. Opportunities for advancement exist as entry-level technologists can realistically expect to see their salaries rise over the first few years, particularly as they gain experience. Financial growth is supported by a projected annual growth rate of 3.04%, enabling new graduates to transition toward more competitive salaries such as $67,956 within a few years, enhancing Coos Bay’s position as a favorable market for aspiring laboratory technologists.
About the Coos Bay Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Coos Bay
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 Coos Bay
Entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Coos Bay, OR typically start between $54,028 and $67,956 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $78,534 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $85,768 — 24.78% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average clinical laboratory science program cost in Oregon of $56,000 represents just 103.65% of the starting medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay ($54,028/year) in Coos Bay. 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 Coos Bay
- 1Research the Coos Bay market: entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay ranges from $54,028 to $67,956, 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 Coos Bay, 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 Coos Bay for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Coos Bay'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 Coos Bay is $78,534 ( 145.36%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $54,028, experienced hygienists can earn up to $132,562.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$41,667
2025 BLS Actual
$52,434
2026 Current Est.
$54,028
2019–2027 Growth
+33.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Coos Bay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,667 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,381 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,804 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,461 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,225 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,434 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,028 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,670 | Projected |
Entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Coos Bay, OR grew 25.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $41,667 in 2019 to $52,434 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $55,670. New graduates entering the Coos Bay job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Coos Bay 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 Coos Bay
In the Coos Bay area, employers that typically hire new graduates include large hospital systems and corporate group practices. These institutions often provide structured onboarding programs that ease the transition into the workforce for recent graduates. Earning state licensure is critical, and pursuing additional certifications recognized by the profession’s national body can further boost entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in Oregon. As professionals settle into their first couple of years of practice, salary growth can vary widely based on the type of employer, geographic location, and credentialing. Newly licensed technologists may find their salaries climbing closer to the median as they gain expertise, contributing to a more stable financial trajectory in an otherwise competitive job market.
More salary data for Coos Bay, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Coos Bay in 2026?
How fast do medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries grow in Coos Bay?
Is clinical laboratory science school worth it in Coos Bay?
What do new medical and clinical laboratory technologists make right out of school in Coos Bay?
How do I become a medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Oregon?
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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 Coos Bay. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Coos Bay 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