Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay in St. Louis, MO: $32.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working in St. Louis, MO runs $32.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,532 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Weighted against St. Louis's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.1, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,520 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Louis, Missouri, the projected median hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist stands at $32.47, slightly below the national median of $33.05. This hourly wage can be particularly advantageous for part-time and per-diem workers, making it feasible to balance employment across clinical settings while achieving a stable income. For entry-level positions, the pay starts at approximately $20.16 per hour, escalating to $50.86 for the highest earners in the field. These figures reflect official estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The variability in hourly pay highlights opportunities for both new graduates and seasoned professionals in various healthcare environments throughout the region.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.16 | $161.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.12 | $200.97 |
| Median (P50) | $32.47 | $259.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.44 | $331.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.86 | $406.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Louis
Based on $32.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.47/hr, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Louis, MO can expect to earn approximately $67,533 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,961. With a cost-of-living index of 95.09 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Louis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Louis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,298.72 | $5,628 | $67,533 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $779.23 | $3,377 | $40,520 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $519.49 | $2,251 | $27,013 |
Compare MLS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist (St. Louis) | $32.47 |
| 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. Louis, MO earn a median of $67,532 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.75% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 13.50% above the Missouri state average of $59,500.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.47/hr = $40,520/year (purchasing power: $42,613).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,533/year (purchasing power: $71,022).
CoL index: 95.088 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in St. Louis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.71/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in St. Louis grew 35.6% from $23.24/hr (2019) to $31.51/hr (2025). At a 3.04% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.45/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. Louis 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. Louis
For medical and clinical laboratory technologists considering part-time roles, working three days a week for 24 hours could yield an annual income significantly lower than that of full-time positions, capped at approximately $51,380. Many practitioners opt for per-diem or agency placements, often earning a 10-25% premium over traditional staff wages, influencing their total compensation. In St. Louis, pay rates can fluctuate based on employer type—private practices may offer lower rates compared to larger healthcare organizations or specialty clinics that can provide more competitive compensation. As professionals weigh the benefits of health insurance against higher hourly pay with no benefits, navigating the job market requires careful consideration. Negotiating hourly rates effectively involves understanding local market dynamics and leveraging skills or certifications that can command better compensation in the competitive landscape of healthcare.
More salary data for St. Louis, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in St. Louis in 2026?
How much do part-time medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in St. Louis?
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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. Louis. 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