Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay in Lake Charles, LA: $21.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working in Lake Charles, LA runs $21.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,956 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Weighted against Lake Charles's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,979 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lake Charles, Louisiana, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist hourly pay averages $21.62, significantly lower than the national hourly median of $33.05. This hourly rate offers a practical outlook for professionals considering part-time work, such as 3-day workweeks, yielding approximately $16,000 annually for a typical schedule of 24 hours per week. Entry-level positions may start at around $16.26 per hour, while the highest earners in this field can make as much as $44.48 per hour. These figures stem from the 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and reflect the varying demands of clinical settings, where technologists often play a vital role in patient diagnosis and care.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.26 | $130.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.77 | $150.19 |
| Median (P50) | $21.62 | $172.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.55 | $268.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.48 | $355.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Charles
Based on $21.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.62/hr, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Charles, LA can expect to earn approximately $44,965 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,941. With a cost-of-living index of 85.85 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lake Charles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake Charles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $864.71 | $3,747 | $44,965 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $518.83 | $2,248 | $26,979 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $345.88 | $1,499 | $17,986 |
Compare MLS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist (Lake Charles) | $21.62 |
| 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 Lake Charles, LA earn a median of $44,956 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.59% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 25.80% below the Louisiana state average of $60,588.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.62/hr = $26,979/year (purchasing power: $31,425).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,965/year (purchasing power: $52,375).
CoL index: 85.852 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.62/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-0.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Lake Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Lake Charles grew -6.2% from $22.36/hr (2019) to $20.98/hr (2025). At a 3.04% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.27/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 Lake Charles 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 Lake Charles
Examining the potential earnings for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Lake Charles reveals interesting dynamics, especially for part-time professionals. Working 24 hours a week translates to an annual income well below what a full-time colleague would earn, impacting financial stability and access to benefits. Per diem medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in Lake Charles can include premiums of 10-25% over typical staff pay, allowing for higher short-term earnings but less job security. The type of employer also influences pay rates. Technologists in large healthcare organizations might earn differently compared to those in smaller private practices or community health centers, balancing higher hourly payments against the potential for company-sponsored benefits. Negotiating for better hourly rates can be advantageous, especially in an area where healthcare professionals are in demand. Ensuring clarity about compensation structures and benefits is crucial in this context, making it essential for aspiring technologists to be informed and prepared during discussions about pay.
More salary data for Lake Charles, LA:
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 Lake Charles. 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, 6-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