Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay in Daly City, CA: $38.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working in Daly City, CA runs $38.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,744 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Weighted against Daly City's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $33.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,850 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Daly City, California, the projected median hourly pay for medical and clinical laboratory technologists stands at $38.34, representing a substantial premium compared to the national average hourly rate of $33.05. This elevated pay scale not only reflects the demand for skilled professionals in clinical settings but also supports a comfortable living for those working part-time or per-diem. For part-time technologists working three days a week, this translates to a significant supplemental income. Additionally, the broad hourly range extends from $22.69 for entry-level positions to $59.42 for top earners, illustrating the potential for financial growth and high variance based on experience and employer type. It's important to remember that these hourly figures derive from annual salary data adjusted to provide a more immediate understanding of compensation in the field.
About the Daly City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($100,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.69 | $181.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.16 | $225.29 |
| Median (P50) | $38.34 | $306.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.08 | $392.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.42 | $475.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Daly City
Based on $38.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.34/hr, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Daly City, CA can expect to earn approximately $79,750 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,009. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Daly City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Daly City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,533.65 | $6,646 | $79,750 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $920.19 | $3,987 | $47,850 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $613.46 | $2,658 | $31,900 |
Compare MLS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist (Daly City) | $38.34 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Cytotechnologist (National Avg) | $40.35 |
| Histotechnologist (National Avg) | $30.58 |
| Microbiologist (National Avg) | $41.56 |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Daly City, CA earn a median of $79,744 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.02% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 2.60% above the California state average of $77,723.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.34/hr = $47,850/year (purchasing power: $42,308).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,750/year (purchasing power: $70,513).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$31.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.34/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Daly City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Daly City grew 18.5% from $31.41/hr (2019) to $37.21/hr (2025). At a 3.04% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.51/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical and clinical laboratory technologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Daly City 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.
Working as an Hourly Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist in Daly City
When considering part-time work, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working 24 hours a week could potentially earn around $49,526 annually, which allows for a comfortable lifestyle yet might not match the full-time earnings of their peers. Many professionals also explore per diem positions, where pay often includes a 10-25% premium over standard staff rates, making this an attractive option for those valuing flexibility in Daly City. Hourly rates can vary significantly depending on whether one works in private practices, large healthcare organizations, community health centers, or specialty clinics, typically seeing higher pay in more extensive healthcare systems. However, the trade-off for such benefits often reflects lower hourly rates versus higher pay without benefits in part-time or per diem roles. Negotiating a better rate hinges on understanding these dynamics and effectively communicating your value while considering the long-term benefits of job security and health insurance.
More salary data for Daly City, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Daly City in 2026?
How much do part-time medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Daly City?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.04% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Daly City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Daly City 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