Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay in Louisville, KY: $34.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working in Louisville, KY runs $34.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,125 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Weighted against Louisville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,680 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Louisville, Kentucky, medical and clinical laboratory technologists can expect a median hourly rate of $34.20, which is slightly above the national median of $33.05. This competitive rate is particularly beneficial for part-time professionals, who may work around three days a week, accumulating around 24 hours of work that would translate to a substantial weekly income. The hourly pay range in Louisville spans from $19.84 for entry-level positions to as much as $53.00 for experienced top earners. Such figures reflect estimates derived from annual salary data, highlighting the potential for lucrative opportunities within the local healthcare system.
About the Louisville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.84 | $158.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.62 | $196.93 |
| Median (P50) | $34.20 | $273.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.77 | $350.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.00 | $424.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Louisville
Based on $34.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.20/hr, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Louisville, KY can expect to earn approximately $71,134 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,039. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Louisville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Louisville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,367.96 | $5,928 | $71,134 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $820.78 | $3,557 | $42,680 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $547.18 | $2,371 | $28,454 |
Compare MLS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist (Louisville) | $34.20 |
| 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 Louisville, KY earn a median of $71,125 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.48% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 9.00% above the Kentucky state average of $65,253.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.20/hr = $42,680/year (purchasing power: $47,794).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,134/year (purchasing power: $79,657).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Louisville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Louisville grew 18.5% from $28.02/hr (2019) to $33.19/hr (2025). At a 3.04% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.24/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 Louisville 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 Louisville
When considering part-time work, medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Louisville earning $34.20 hourly can take home about $42,200 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. For those opting for per diem positions, agency roles often provide a pay premium of 10-25%, contributing to a different financial landscape in this field. It's worth noting that hourly rates can vary depending on the type of employer, such as private practices versus large healthcare organizations or specialty clinics. Some professionals may forgo higher hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, illustrating a common trade-off in this profession. As for negotiating pay, emphasizing relevant certifications and experience can bolster one's case for a higher hourly rate in a competitive job market like Louisville’s.
More salary data for Louisville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Louisville in 2026?
How much do part-time medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Louisville?
Are medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Louisville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist make per year in Louisville?
Do medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn more per hour working part-time in Louisville?
Related Pages
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Career Resources
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 Louisville. 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 Louisville 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