Entry-Level Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Scranton, PA: $40,619 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical and clinical laboratory technologists entering the Scranton, PA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $40,619 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2010, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Scranton's local price level (BEA RPP 93.6 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $43,417 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($56,446) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the field as medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Scranton, the starting medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in Scranton for 2026 is projected at approximately $40,619. This entry-level pay is significantly lower than the city's median annual salary of $56,446, indicating a gap that new technologists may need to bridge through experience and additional qualifications. Over the first few years, as they gain valuable on-the-job training, entry-level professionals can expect their salaries to increase, with projections showing growth towards the 25th percentile at $47,141. Given the competitive nature of the field and the overall growth forecast of 3.04% annually, Scranton presents a reasonable market for new graduates who are willing to start at this entry-level compensation and develop their careers further.
Career Earnings Timeline in Scranton
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 Scranton
Entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Scranton, PA typically start between $40,619 and $47,141 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $49,173 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $56,446 — 17.88% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average clinical laboratory science program cost in Pennsylvania of $68,000 represents just 167.41% of the starting medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay ($40,619/year) in Scranton. 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 Scranton
- 1Research the Scranton market: entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay ranges from $40,619 to $47,141, 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 PA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Scranton, 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 Scranton for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Scranton'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 Scranton is $49,173 ( 121.06%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $40,619, experienced hygienists can earn up to $89,792.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$26,240
2025 BLS Actual
$39,421
2026 Current Est.
$40,619
2019–2027 Growth
+59.5%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Scranton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,240 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,250 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,500 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,421 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,619 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,854 | Projected |
Entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Scranton, PA grew 50.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $26,240 in 2019 to $39,421 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $41,854. New graduates entering the Scranton job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Scranton 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 Scranton
New grads looking for positions in Scranton will often find employment opportunities with large hospital systems and corporate group practices that actively recruit early-career professionals. These institutions typically offer structured onboarding processes, which can enhance job readiness and retention rates. To boost starting pay in Pennsylvania, new technologists are encouraged to obtain state licensure and consider pursuing advanced certifications recognized by their profession's national body. In the first 1 to 3 years, salary growth expectations can vary widely based on employer type and geographic location, yet new graduates can realistically aim for increments that bring them closer to the median salary as they gain experience and additional credentials. With the right strategy and commitment to professional development, emerging laboratory technologists can realize enhanced job satisfaction and financial reward within this growing sector in Scranton, PA.
More salary data for Scranton, PA:
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 Scranton. 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