Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay in Oak Park, IL: $34.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working in Oak Park, IL runs $34.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,170 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Weighted against Oak Park's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,298 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oak Park, Illinois, medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn a median hourly pay of $34.69, slightly above the national median of $33.05. This optimal hourly rate makes positions more appealing for those seeking part-time or per-diem work, particularly in clinical settings. For example, a part-time technologist working three days a week can significantly increase job flexibility while still earning a solid hourly wage. The hourly rate spans from $20.35 at the entry level up to $53.78 for experienced professionals, reflecting a range that accommodates both new entrants to the field and seasoned technologists looking to maximize their earnings.
About the Oak Park Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.35 | $162.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.26 | $218.12 |
| Median (P50) | $34.69 | $277.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.41 | $355.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.78 | $430.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oak Park
Based on $34.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.69/hr, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oak Park, IL can expect to earn approximately $72,163 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,632. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Oak Park.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oak Park
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,387.74 | $6,014 | $72,163 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $832.65 | $3,608 | $43,298 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $555.10 | $2,405 | $28,865 |
Compare MLS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist (Oak Park) | $34.69 |
| 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 Oak Park, IL earn a median of $72,170 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.00% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 0.70% below the Illinois state average of $72,679.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.69/hr = $43,298/year (purchasing power: $44,591).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,163/year (purchasing power: $74,318).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Oak Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Oak Park grew 18.5% from $28.42/hr (2019) to $33.67/hr (2025). At a 3.04% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.75/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 Oak Park 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 Oak Park
Looking beyond basic hourly compensation, the financial potential for part-time medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Oak Park can vary considerably compared to full-time counterparts. Working 24 hours a week, a part-time technologist could still achieve a respectable annual income that reflects their commitment without the typical requirements of full-time work. Additionally, per diem medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in Oak Park often includes a premium, as agency work can offer rates that exceed standard staff positions by 10-25%. The type of employer significantly influences pay as well; those employed by large healthcare organizations might earn more than their peers in private practices or community health centers. Many professionals must weigh the benefits of higher hourly rates against the stability of employer-funded health insurance, leading to trade-offs in their career decisions. When negotiating hourly pay, consider gathering data on regional salary benchmarks and compensation trends to ensure a competitive offer in the Oak Park market.
More salary data for Oak Park, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much do part-time medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Oak Park?
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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 Oak Park. 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 Oak Park 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