Entry-Level Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Clearfield, UT: $33,993 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical and clinical laboratory technologists entering the Clearfield, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $33,993 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2010, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Clearfield's local price level (BEA RPP 98.1 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $34,651 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($51,717) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the starting medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in Clearfield, UT, is projected at $33,993, providing a foundation for new graduates entering the workforce. This entry-level pay is considerably lower than the city median of $51,717, creating a notable gap that reflects the initial earning potential in this field. Over the first three to five years, new entrants can expect to experience incremental salary growth as they advance from the 10th percentile up to the 25th percentile, reaching approximately $40,126. With a robust annual growth rate of 3.04%, Clearfield offers a reasonable market for recent graduates, especially given the favorable cost of living index of 98.1, which is below the national average.
About the Clearfield Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Clearfield
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 Clearfield
Entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Clearfield, UT typically start between $33,993 and $40,126 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $46,168 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $51,717 — 24.76% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average clinical laboratory science program cost in Utah of $46,000 represents just 135.32% of the starting medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay ($33,993/year) in Clearfield. 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 Clearfield
- 1Research the Clearfield market: entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay ranges from $33,993 to $40,126, 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 UT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Clearfield, 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 Clearfield for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Clearfield'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 Clearfield is $46,168 ( 135.82%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $33,993, experienced hygienists can earn up to $80,161.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$26,216
2025 BLS Actual
$32,990
2026 Current Est.
$33,993
2019–2027 Growth
+33.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Clearfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,216 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,665 | Actual |
| 2021 | $25,673 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,861 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,176 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,396 | Actual |
| 2025 | $32,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33,993 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35,026 | Projected |
Entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Clearfield, UT grew 25.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $26,216 in 2019 to $32,990 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $35,026. New graduates entering the Clearfield job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clearfield 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 Clearfield
In Clearfield, large hospital systems and corporate group practices are among the primary employers willing to hire new graduates in the medical and clinical laboratory technologist field. These organizations often provide structured onboarding programs that can facilitate a smoother transition into the profession. Obtaining state licensure is crucial, and pursuing additional advanced certifications recognized by the national professional body can help new technologists enhance their starting pay in Utah. In the initial 1 to 3 years, compensations can vary widely depending on the employer type, geographic market, and credentials possessed. New professionals in this area should aim for realistic salary growth by seeking roles that may offer upward mobility, as they could see growth beyond initial starting pay given the industry's dynamic nature and increasing demand for skilled laboratory technologists.
More salary data for Clearfield, UT:
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 Clearfield. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Clearfield 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