Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay in Merrillville, IN: $24.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working in Merrillville, IN runs $24.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,501 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Weighted against Merrillville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,901 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Merrillville is estimated to be $24.76. This figure is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $33.05, reflecting both regional economic conditions and variations in local healthcare employment. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this hourly rate translates into a practical earning potential, allowing employees to balance work and personal commitments while contributing to vital healthcare services. The hourly range for this role spans from $15.70 at entry-level positions to $38.38 for top earners, providing a snapshot of income variability dependent on skills, experience, and workplace setting.
About the Merrillville Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.70 | $125.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.78 | $150.27 |
| Median (P50) | $24.76 | $198.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.70 | $253.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.38 | $307.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Merrillville
Based on $24.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.76/hr, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Merrillville, IN can expect to earn approximately $51,502 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,713. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Merrillville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Merrillville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $990.42 | $4,292 | $51,502 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $594.25 | $2,575 | $30,901 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $396.17 | $1,717 | $20,601 |
Compare MLS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist (Merrillville) | $24.76 |
| 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 Merrillville, IN earn a median of $51,501 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.07% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 4.10% below the Indiana state average of $53,703.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.76/hr = $30,901/year (purchasing power: $33,846).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,502/year (purchasing power: $56,409).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Merrillville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Merrillville grew 18.5% from $20.28/hr (2019) to $24.03/hr (2025). At a 3.04% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.51/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 Merrillville 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 Merrillville
Analyzing the earning potential for part-time work reveals that a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working 24 hours a week in Merrillville could expect to take home a significantly lower annual income compared to full-time workers. Per-diem and agency opportunities are often marked by higher pay rates, typically running a 10-25% premium over standard hourly wages, making them attractive options for many in the profession. However, wages can vary widely across different employer types, such as private practices, large healthcare organizations, and community health centers; in some cases, medical and clinical laboratory technologists might accept lower hourly pays for the sake of receiving comprehensive health benefits. For those negotiating their hourly rate in the Merrillville market, it's advantageous to emphasize your credentials and experience, as well as to consider the total compensation package, which may include other important factors beyond base pay.
More salary data for Merrillville, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Merrillville in 2026?
How much do part-time medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Merrillville?
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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 Merrillville. 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 Merrillville 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