Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay in Portland, ME: $36.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working in Portland, ME runs $36.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,024 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Weighted against Portland's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.9, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,008 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist hourly pay in Portland, Maine, is projected to reach $36.06, which is significantly higher than the national hourly median of $33.05. This favorable pay rate allows professionals working part-time, such as those on a three-day-a-week schedule, to earn an attractive income while balancing work with personal life. Additionally, for those seeking flexibility through per-diem work, the diverse range of hourly compensation—from $24.77 at the entry level to $52.36 for top earners—means that opportunities abound in a range of clinical settings across the city. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these figures illustrate the competitive landscape for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Portland.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.77 | $198.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.75 | $213.99 |
| Median (P50) | $36.06 | $288.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.59 | $348.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.36 | $418.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portland
Based on $36.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.06/hr, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portland, ME can expect to earn approximately $75,013 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,277. With a cost-of-living index of 101.86 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,442.56 | $6,251 | $75,013 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $865.54 | $3,751 | $45,008 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $577.02 | $2,500 | $30,005 |
Compare MLS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist (Portland) | $36.06 |
| 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 Portland, ME earn a median of $75,024 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.15% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 3.40% above the Maine state average of $72,557.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.06/hr = $45,008/year (purchasing power: $44,187).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,013/year (purchasing power: $73,645).
CoL index: 101.858 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Portland grew 35.3% from $25.86/hr (2019) to $35.00/hr (2025). At a 3.04% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.16/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 Portland 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 Portland
For a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working part-time at $36.06 per hour, the annual earnings for a 24-hour workweek could amount to around $45,000, demonstrating solid potential for those seeking a flexible work arrangement. In contrast, professionals opting for per-diem roles can generally expect to earn a premium, as per diem medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in Portland often exceeds standard staff wages by 10-25%. Variability in hourly rates is also influenced by employer types; professionals may earn differently in private practices versus large healthcare organizations or specialty clinics. Accepting a lower hourly wage may offer the security of health benefits, while those valuing higher pay might forgo this trade-off. To successfully negotiate, it is wise for applicants to understand their worth in the local market and the unique benefits offered by prospective employers in Portland, ME.
More salary data for Portland, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Portland in 2026?
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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 Portland. 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