Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay in St. Joseph, MO: $24.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working in St. Joseph, MO runs $24.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,608 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Weighted against St. Joseph's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.4, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,953 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Joseph, Missouri, medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn a median hourly rate of $24.80. This figure contrasts sharply with the national median of $33.05, indicating a lower compensation level in this region relative to the national average. For those seeking part-time work, such as a 3-day workweek, this translates into a manageable income while allowing flexibility, especially in clinical settings. The hourly pay spans a range from $18.49 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $48.62 for top earners (90th percentile), providing various opportunities for both entry-level and experienced professionals. This data is derived from 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.49 | $147.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.65 | $189.18 |
| Median (P50) | $24.80 | $198.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.60 | $308.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.62 | $389.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Joseph
Based on $24.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.80/hr, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Joseph, MO can expect to earn approximately $51,588 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,762. With a cost-of-living index of 86.38 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Joseph.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Joseph
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $992.07 | $4,299 | $51,588 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $595.24 | $2,579 | $30,953 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $396.83 | $1,720 | $20,635 |
Compare MLS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist (St. Joseph) | $24.80 |
| 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 St. Joseph, MO earn a median of $51,608 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.92% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 13.30% below the Missouri state average of $59,524.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.80/hr = $30,953/year (purchasing power: $35,832).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,588/year (purchasing power: $59,720).
CoL index: 86.382 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in St. Joseph (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.56/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in St. Joseph grew 22.3% from $19.68/hr (2019) to $24.07/hr (2025). At a 3.04% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.56/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 St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph
Considering the earning potential for part-time medical and clinical laboratory technologists in St. Joseph, working 24 hours per week could yield an annual income significantly lower than that of full-time employees. Specifically, many part-timers may take home less than half of what a full-time counterpart would earn. For those choosing to work per diem, there’s potential for increased earnings, as these roles typically offer a premium of 10-25% over standard pay. Hourly rates may also vary based on the type of employer, with private practices, large healthcare organizations, community health centers, and specialty clinics providing diverse compensation packages. It's essential for medical and clinical laboratory technologists to weigh the benefits of employer-provided health insurance against higher hourly rates often found in agency or per diem roles. When negotiating pay, understanding the local market conditions and preparing to discuss the specific skills and certifications can effectively enhance earning potential in this field.
More salary data for St. Joseph, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph. 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