Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay in Kearney, NE: $30.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working in Kearney, NE runs $30.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,197 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Weighted against Kearney's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,514 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kearney, Nebraska, the projected medical and clinical laboratory technologist hourly pay for 2026 stands at $30.86. This figure is slightly lower than the national hourly median of $33.05, indicating that local wages may not keep pace with the nationwide standard. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this equates to approximately $1,100 per week before deductions—or around $57,200 annually if they maintain that schedule consistently throughout the year. Entry-level positions start at around $20.57 per hour, while more experienced technologists may earn up to $47.84 per hour, reflecting a wide range of pay based on experience and setting. The estimates used for these hourly rates, as well as the figures for the hourly range, are derived from annual salary data, illustrating the varying earning potentials in clinical environments like hospitals and laboratory settings.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.57 | $164.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.25 | $193.96 |
| Median (P50) | $30.86 | $246.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.51 | $316.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.84 | $382.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kearney
Based on $30.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.86/hr, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kearney, NE can expect to earn approximately $64,190 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,033. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kearney.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kearney
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,234.42 | $5,349 | $64,190 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $740.65 | $3,209 | $38,514 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $493.77 | $2,140 | $25,676 |
Compare MLS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist (Kearney) | $30.86 |
| 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 Kearney, NE earn a median of $64,197 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.60% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $66,664.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.86/hr = $38,514/year (purchasing power: $42,092).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,190/year (purchasing power: $70,153).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.51/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.80/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Kearney grew 18.5% from $25.28/hr (2019) to $29.95/hr (2025). At a 3.04% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.80/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 Kearney 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 Kearney
Looking deeper into the earning potential for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Kearney reveals interesting dynamics. Those opting for part-time roles can bring home a respectable income, but full-time positions certainly provide more financial stability, particularly when benefits like health insurance are factored in. On an hourly basis, per diem medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in Kearney may exceed standard staff rates by 10-25%, incentivizing many to consider agency work for higher earnings, especially when flexibility is a priority. Wage differences can also arise across various employer types, such as private clinics versus larger healthcare organizations, with specialists often commanding more due to the niche skills required. Technologists should weigh the benefits of full-time work against potentially higher hourly rates in gig roles, while carefully negotiating based on the unique costs of living and employer offerings in Kearney.
More salary data for Kearney, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Kearney in 2026?
How much do part-time medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Kearney?
Are medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Kearney paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist make per year in Kearney?
Do medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn more per hour working part-time in Kearney?
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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 Kearney. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kearney is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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