Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay in Philadelphia, PA: $31.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working in Philadelphia, PA runs $31.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,304 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Weighted against Philadelphia's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,195 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Philadelphia, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist hourly pay is projected to be $31.41 in 2026, which is slightly less than the national median of $33.05. For those working part-time or on a per-diem basis, this hourly rate translates to significant earnings depending on the number of days worked each week in clinical settings. Entry-level professionals can expect to earn around $21.27 per hour, while experienced technologists can make up to $49.84 per hour. The broad range of pay reflects the variability in skill, experience, and the type of facilities where these professionals are employed, as shown in the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data 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) | $21.27 | $170.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.87 | $198.99 |
| Median (P50) | $31.41 | $251.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.15 | $337.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.84 | $398.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Philadelphia
Based on $31.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.41/hr, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Philadelphia, PA can expect to earn approximately $65,326 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,688. With a cost-of-living index of 102.55 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Philadelphia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Philadelphia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,256.26 | $5,444 | $65,326 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $753.76 | $3,266 | $39,195 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $502.51 | $2,178 | $26,130 |
Compare MLS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist (Philadelphia) | $31.41 |
| 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 Philadelphia, PA earn a median of $65,304 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.99% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 14.70% above the Pennsylvania state average of $56,934.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.41/hr = $39,195/year (purchasing power: $38,219).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,326/year (purchasing power: $63,699).
CoL index: 102.554 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Philadelphia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Philadelphia grew 10.1% from $27.68/hr (2019) to $30.48/hr (2025). At a 3.04% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.36/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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia
When considering part-time positions, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working three days a week for a total of 24 hours can earn, on average, $39,093 annually, which is a substantial income for a flexible work schedule. Conversely, those in per-diem roles may command higher hourly rates, typically found to be 10-25% more than standard staff wages, providing a lucrative option for some professionals. Hourly rates can fluctuate significantly based on the type of employer; private practices may offer lower pay compared to larger healthcare organizations or specialty clinics that often provide benefits packages, making the total compensation more attractive. Weighing the decision between a higher hourly rate without benefits and a lower rate with health insurance is a common consideration in this field. It’s also wise for professionals to negotiate their hourly pay, emphasizing their credentials and local market rates to secure the best options available in Philadelphia, PA.
More salary data for Philadelphia, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia. 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