Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay in Rapid City, SD: $24.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working in Rapid City, SD 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 Rapid City's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.2, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,953 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rapid City, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist hourly pay stands at a median of $24.80. This is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $33.05, suggesting that local professionals may face more modest compensation compared to their counterparts elsewhere in the country. For those seeking part-time roles, working three days a week at this rate still provides a reasonable income, albeit less than full-time staff. Entry-level positions may start around $19.71 per hour, while more experienced technologists can earn as much as $44.43 per hour. This data, sourced from the 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS estimates projected to 2026, provides a clear snapshot of the current hourly landscape for technologists in clinical settings throughout SD.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.71 | $157.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.71 | $157.69 |
| Median (P50) | $24.80 | $198.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.64 | $325.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.43 | $355.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rapid City
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 Rapid City, SD 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 89.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rapid City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rapid City
| 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 (Rapid City) | $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 Rapid City, SD earn a median of $51,596 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.93% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 23.70% below the South Dakota state average of $67,623.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.80/hr = $30,953/year (purchasing power: $34,716).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,588/year (purchasing power: $57,860).
CoL index: 89.16 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+16.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Rapid City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.53/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 Rapid City grew 9.4% from $22.00/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 Rapid City 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 Rapid City
Examining part-time opportunities, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working a 24-hour week can expect an annual take-home amount considerably lower than that of full-time workers. The flexibility of part-time work may appeal to some, while per diem positions often come with an additional 10-25% premium over standard hourly wages, making them an attractive option for those willing to work on an as-needed basis. Hourly rates can differ across employer types in Rapid City; private practices might offer lower wages compared to larger healthcare organizations or specialty clinics that provide benefits packages for their staff. Medical and clinical laboratory technologists sometimes choose to accept lower hourly rates for the security of health insurance, balancing immediate compensation against long-term benefits. For those active in the job market, negotiating potential offers will be key. Local professionals should highlight their skills and consider the total compensation package when assessing per diem medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in Rapid City.
More salary data for Rapid City, SD:
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 Rapid City. 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