Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay in Albuquerque, NM: $24.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working in Albuquerque, NM runs $24.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,596 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Weighted against Albuquerque's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,953 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Albuquerque, medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn a median hourly rate of $24.80, which is significantly lower than the national median of $33.05. This difference indicates that professionals in New Mexico may have to adjust their expectations when considering part-time or per-diem work in clinical settings. For those working three days a week, this hourly rate could yield around $38,400 annually, without benefits. The hourly pay range for technologists in Albuquerque varies widely, starting from $19.31 for entry-level roles and potentially reaching up to $41.42 for those at the top of their field. This information reflects the latest projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.31 | $154.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.34 | $162.72 |
| Median (P50) | $24.80 | $198.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.52 | $260.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.42 | $331.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Albuquerque
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 Albuquerque, NM 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 95.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Albuquerque.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Albuquerque
| 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 (Albuquerque) | $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 Albuquerque, NM earn a median of $51,596 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.93% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 25.00% below the New Mexico state average of $68,795.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.80/hr = $30,953/year (purchasing power: $32,395).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,588/year (purchasing power: $53,992).
CoL index: 95.546 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Albuquerque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.19/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 Albuquerque grew 15.4% from $20.85/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 Albuquerque 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 Albuquerque
The earning potential for part-time medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Albuquerque can be quite different than for full-time employees. A part-time worker may take home significantly less per year, depending on the number of hours worked. Despite this, some choose to work on a per-diem basis, where rates offered can be 10-25% higher than conventional W-2 jobs. This flexibility may appeal to some, particularly when balancing family needs or further education. Additionally, hourly rates often differ based on employer types—private practices may pay less than large healthcare organizations or specialty clinics. This situation leads many technologists to weigh hourly pay against benefits, as working at a lower pay rate with full health insurance can sometimes be more advantageous than a higher pay rate without benefits. Effective negotiation for hourly pay in Albuquerque often includes researching average rates for specific sectors and emphasizing skills or certifications that may justify a higher wage.
More salary data for Albuquerque, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Albuquerque in 2026?
How much do part-time medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Albuquerque?
Are medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Albuquerque paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist make per year in Albuquerque?
Do medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn more per hour working part-time in Albuquerque?
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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 Albuquerque. 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