Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay in Buffalo, NY: $40.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working in Buffalo, NY runs $40.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $85,248 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Weighted against Buffalo's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.8, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,155 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Buffalo, New York, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist earns a median hourly pay of $40.99, significantly surpassing the national hourly median of $33.05. This favorable wage allows for attractive earnings, particularly for those seeking part-time work, such as a typical 24-hour weekly schedule over three days. The hourly range here spans from $25.41 for entry-level positions to $54.66 for the top earners, reflecting the variability in experience, specialization, and employer type. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, illustrating the growing demand for skilled professionals in clinical settings across the region.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.41 | $203.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.19 | $257.52 |
| Median (P50) | $40.99 | $327.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.47 | $371.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.66 | $437.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Buffalo
Based on $40.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.99/hr, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Buffalo, NY can expect to earn approximately $85,258 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,187. With a cost-of-living index of 95.84 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Buffalo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Buffalo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,639.57 | $7,105 | $85,258 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $983.74 | $4,263 | $51,155 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $655.83 | $2,842 | $34,103 |
Compare MLS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist (Buffalo) | $40.99 |
| 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 Buffalo, NY earn a median of $85,248 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.03% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 4.00% below the New York state average of $88,800.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.99/hr = $51,155/year (purchasing power: $53,373).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $85,258/year (purchasing power: $88,955).
CoL index: 95.844 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Buffalo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Buffalo grew 35.4% from $29.37/hr (2019) to $39.78/hr (2025). At a 3.04% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.24/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 Buffalo 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 Buffalo
For part-time professionals in Buffalo, working as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist typically results in an annual take-home pay that can differ significantly from full-time counterparts. A three-day workweek translates to approximately $50,299 annually, enabling a flexible work-life balance without sacrificing financial stability. Additionally, per diem positions often fetch a premium, typically 10-25% above standard W-2 pay, making per diem medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in Buffalo particularly appealing. Hourly rates may fluctuate based on the employer, with private practices, community health centers, and large healthcare organizations offering different compensation packages. Some technologists might opt for lower hourly rates associated with benefits like health insurance, while others may prioritize higher pay without benefits. For those looking to negotiate their pay rates in Buffalo, highlighting specific skills or certifications can be a key strategy, adding value to discussions around hourly compensation.
More salary data for Buffalo, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Buffalo. 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