Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay in Panama City, FL: $26.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working in Panama City, FL runs $26.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,317 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Weighted against Panama City's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,586 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Panama City, Florida, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist hourly pay is projected at $26.11 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $33.05. This means that individuals working part-time, such as those securing placements three days a week, stand to earn approximately $31,000 annually, while those taking per-diem roles can expect varied pay rates depending on demand and their specific qualifications. The hourly rate for entry-level positions starts at $17.27, while experienced professionals can earn up to $43.71, according to official BLS data. Such figures reflect the overall demand for lab technologists in clinical settings throughout Panama City and highlight the wide range of salaries across different experience levels and job roles.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.27 | $138.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.21 | $161.65 |
| Median (P50) | $26.11 | $208.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.44 | $323.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.71 | $349.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Panama City
Based on $26.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.11/hr, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Panama City, FL can expect to earn approximately $54,309 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,332. With a cost-of-living index of 97.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Panama City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Panama City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,044.41 | $4,526 | $54,309 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $626.65 | $2,715 | $32,586 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $417.77 | $1,810 | $21,724 |
Compare MLS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist (Panama City) | $26.11 |
| 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 Panama City, FL earn a median of $54,317 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.98% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 15.00% below the Florida state average of $63,902.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.11/hr = $32,586/year (purchasing power: $33,491).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,309/year (purchasing power: $55,819).
CoL index: 97.296 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Panama City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Panama City grew 8.6% from $23.34/hr (2019) to $25.34/hr (2025). At a 3.04% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.90/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 Panama 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 Panama City
For medical and clinical laboratory technologists looking to maximize their earning potential, part-time opportunities, such as a 24-hour work week, yield significantly lower annual salaries than full-time employment. However, many professionals choose to work per-diem, which typically offers a premium ranging from 10-25% over standard staff pay. In Panama City, compensation can also vary based on employer type—technologists in large healthcare organizations often receive more comprehensive benefits, while those in private practices may face lower hourly rates but also gain different job satisfaction. Given the trade-offs between higher pay and job security, the negotiation process becomes crucial; candidates should clearly outline their specific skill sets and consider the benefits package offered by employers when weighing hourly compensation against health insurance and other perks. This local insight into the medical and clinical laboratory technologist hourly pay dynamics in Panama City can help inform career decisions.
More salary data for Panama City, FL:
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 Panama 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
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