Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay in Fullerton, CA: $38.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working in Fullerton, CA runs $38.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,813 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Weighted against Fullerton's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $33.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,888 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fullerton, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist hourly pay reaches a median of $38.37, significantly surpassing the national hourly median of $33.05. This favorable rate reflects both the high demand for skilled professionals in local healthcare settings and the higher cost of living in California. For part-time workers, typically engaged for three days a week, this hourly pay translates to a considerable income—especially important for those balancing multiple commitments or seeking flexibility. Entry-level technologists might earn around $22.77 per hour, while experienced professionals can command upwards of $59.47 per hour. These figures illustrate a robust earning potential within the profession, attributed to Fullerton's diverse healthcare landscape.
About the Fullerton 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) | $22.77 | $182.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.22 | $225.78 |
| Median (P50) | $38.37 | $306.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.12 | $392.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.47 | $475.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fullerton
Based on $38.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.37/hr, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fullerton, CA can expect to earn approximately $79,814 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,047. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fullerton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fullerton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,534.88 | $6,651 | $79,814 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $920.93 | $3,991 | $47,888 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $613.95 | $2,660 | $31,926 |
Compare MLS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist (Fullerton) | $38.37 |
| 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 Fullerton, CA earn a median of $79,813 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.12% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 2.70% above the California state average of $77,714.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.37/hr = $47,888/year (purchasing power: $42,342).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,814/year (purchasing power: $70,569).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$31.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Fullerton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.20/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Fullerton grew 18.5% from $31.43/hr (2019) to $37.24/hr (2025). At a 3.04% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.54/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 Fullerton 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 Fullerton
Examining the annual take-home for part-time medical and clinical laboratory technologists reveals that working a typical 24-hour week would yield about $48,000 annually, a compelling figure compared to the lower earnings often seen in other fields. In the realm of per diem positions, professionals can expect to see rates that elevate their earnings by 10-25% over standard staff pay, which can be a lucrative choice for those willing to work flexibly. Rates can also fluctuate depending on the employer type; private practices, large healthcare organizations, community health centers, and specialty clinics each offer varying compensation structures. Some technologists may opt for full-time roles that provide health benefits, which can be a significant trade-off against hourly wage offers that lack such coverage. When negotiating pay, technologists in Fullerton should consider the value of benefits alongside hourly rates, enabling them to make more informed career choices while navigating the specifics of medical and clinical laboratory technologist hourly rate CA.
More salary data for Fullerton, CA:
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
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 Fullerton. 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 Fullerton 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