Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay in Detroit, MI: $30.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working in Detroit, MI runs $30.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,343 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Weighted against Detroit's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.3, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,604 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Detroit, medical and clinical laboratory technologist hourly pay is projected to be $30.93 in 2026, slightly lower than the national median hourly rate of $33.05. This represents a reasonable earning rate for those working part-time—such as a technologist on a typical 3-day work week—who can expect to earn roughly $1,200 take-home per week based on their hourly rate. Entry-level positions may start around $19.82 per hour, while seasoned professionals at the higher end of the spectrum can make up to $49.93. These figures are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data and reflect the wide range of salaries available for medical and clinical laboratory technologists within clinical settings across the Detroit area.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.82 | $158.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.97 | $183.74 |
| Median (P50) | $30.93 | $247.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.30 | $338.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.93 | $399.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Detroit
Based on $30.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.93/hr, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Detroit, MI can expect to earn approximately $64,340 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,119. With a cost-of-living index of 100.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Detroit.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Detroit
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,237.30 | $5,362 | $64,340 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $742.38 | $3,217 | $38,604 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $494.92 | $2,145 | $25,736 |
Compare MLS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist (Detroit) | $30.93 |
| 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 Detroit, MI earn a median of $64,343 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.39% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 5.30% below the Michigan state average of $67,944.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.93/hr = $38,604/year (purchasing power: $38,489).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,340/year (purchasing power: $64,149).
CoL index: 100.298 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Detroit (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.20/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Detroit grew 15.5% from $26.00/hr (2019) to $30.02/hr (2025). At a 3.04% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.87/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 Detroit 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 Detroit
Part-time medical and clinical laboratory technologists working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) may find their annual earnings significantly less than those of full-time workers. For instance, a part-time worker earning the median hourly rate collects around $38,660 annually compared to the full-time role, which can reach over $64,000. Many professionals opt for per diem medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in Detroit, where rates can soar by 10-25% due to the lack of benefits. The discrepancy in pay can stem from employer type; private practices, community health centers, and large healthcare organizations all offer varying compensation levels. Often, individuals must weigh the trade-off of accepting lower hourly wages that come with benefits against the allure of higher hourly rates without them. When negotiating pay, it's critical for hourly workers to emphasize their qualifications and consider the full benefits package being offered, as negotiation in Detroit’s healthcare workplace can lead to meaningful financial differences over time.
More salary data for Detroit, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Detroit in 2026?
How much do part-time medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Detroit?
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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 Detroit. 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