Entry-Level Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Killeen, TX: $44,290 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical and clinical laboratory technologists entering the Killeen, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $44,290 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2010, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Killeen's local price level (BEA RPP 91.1 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $48,600 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($67,030) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the medical and clinical laboratory technologist field in Killeen, TX, can expect to start their careers with a salary around $44,290 in 2026. This starting salary represents a significant gap when compared to the city’s median annual income of $67,030 for all technologists, indicating the potential for substantial growth as one gains experience. In the first few years of employment, a new grad can realistically aim for salary increases, moving from entry-level positions at the lower end of the pay scale to the 25th percentile, where salaries reach approximately $53,388. With a growth rate of 3.04% expected over the next few years, Killeen offers a decent market for those starting their careers in this profession, particularly as local healthcare demands continue to rise.
Career Earnings Timeline in Killeen
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 Killeen
Entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Killeen, TX typically start between $44,290 and $53,388 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $62,027 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $67,030 — 2.48% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average clinical laboratory science program cost in Texas of $48,000 represents just 108.38% of the starting medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay ($44,290/year) in Killeen. 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 Killeen
- 1Research the Killeen market: entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay ranges from $44,290 to $53,388, 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 TX often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Killeen, 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 Killeen for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Killeen'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 Killeen is $62,027 ( 140.05%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $44,290, experienced hygienists can earn up to $106,317.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$32,330
2025 BLS Actual
$42,983
2026 Current Est.
$44,290
2019–2027 Growth
+41.2%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Killeen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,250 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,950 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,340 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,220 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,983 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,290 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,636 | Projected |
Entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Killeen, TX grew 33.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $32,330 in 2019 to $42,983 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $45,636. New graduates entering the Killeen job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Killeen 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 Killeen
In Killeen, several large hospital systems and corporate group practices are the primary employers for new medical and clinical laboratory technologists, often offering structured onboarding programs that can help ease the transition from training to practice. To enhance their starting pay, new graduates should pursue state licensure and seek out optional advanced certifications from recognized bodies in the field. During the first three years, it is crucial for new hires to focus on gaining diverse experiences and additional credentials, as these factors can significantly influence salary growth. Compensation can vary widely based on the employer type and geographic market; realistically, early-career technologists in Killeen could expect salary increases that align with their growing skill sets and responsibilities, ultimately guiding them toward more competitive pay brackets over time.
More salary data for Killeen, TX:
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 Killeen. 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