Entry-Level Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Collierville, TN: $38,769 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical and clinical laboratory technologists entering the Collierville, TN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $38,769 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2010, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Collierville's local price level (BEA RPP 91.8 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $42,232 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($64,870) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the medical and clinical laboratory technologist role in Collierville, TN, can expect to start at a salary of around $38,769. When compared to the city's median annual salary of $64,870, this starting pay represents a significant initial gap. However, newcomers can anticipate progressive salary growth over the first few years, with entry-level earnings potentially rising to $47,826 within a few years. This upward trajectory suggests that Collierville can be a promising market for recent graduates, particularly with the area's modest cost of living index at 91.8, which is below the national average. Looking ahead to 2026, as the demand for skilled laboratory technologists continues to increase, new entrants in this profession may find themselves well-positioned for robust career advancement.
About the Collierville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Collierville
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 Collierville
Entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Collierville, TN typically start between $38,769 and $47,826 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $61,779 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $64,870 — 5.62% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average clinical laboratory science program cost in Tennessee of $42,000 represents just 108.33% of the starting medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay ($38,769/year) in Collierville. 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 Collierville
- 1Research the Collierville market: entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay ranges from $38,769 to $47,826, 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 TN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Collierville, 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 Collierville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Collierville'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 Collierville is $61,779 ( 159.35%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $38,769, experienced hygienists can earn up to $100,548.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$29,899
2025 BLS Actual
$37,625
2026 Current Est.
$38,769
2019–2027 Growth
+33.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Collierville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,899 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,411 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,057 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,556 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,863 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,625 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,769 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,947 | Projected |
Entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Collierville, TN grew 25.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $29,899 in 2019 to $37,625 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $39,947. New graduates entering the Collierville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Collierville 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 Collierville
In Collierville, a number of well-established healthcare providers, including large hospital systems and corporate group practices, actively recruit entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists. These employers typically offer structured onboarding programs that facilitate a smooth transition into the workforce for new graduates. Credentials such as state licensure, alongside optional advanced certifications recognized by the profession's national body, can contribute to higher starting salaries. As professionals embark on their careers, it's prudent to seek opportunities that not only enhance skills but also expand credentialing, as compensation can vary widely based on employer type and geographic factors. Over the first few years, individuals may realistically expect their pay to gradually increase, aligning with their growth in experience and expertise within this vital healthcare sector in TN.
More salary data for Collierville, TN:
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 Collierville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Collierville 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