Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay in Chattanooga, TN: $30.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working in Chattanooga, TN runs $30.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,425 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Weighted against Chattanooga's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,064 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chattanooga, Tennessee, medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn a median hourly rate of $30.50. This figure falls below the national hourly median of $33.05, indicating a slight disparity in compensation at the local level. For part-time workers, such as those operating three days a week, this hourly rate allows for a potential annual income that can supplement other financial efforts. Generally, hourly wages in the area range from $19.70 for entry-level positions to approximately $42.75 for top earners. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and highlight the financial opportunities within clinical settings, making this career path appealing for both full-time and per-diem professionals.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.70 | $157.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.70 | $173.60 |
| Median (P50) | $30.50 | $244.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.07 | $312.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.75 | $342.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chattanooga
Based on $30.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.50/hr, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chattanooga, TN can expect to earn approximately $63,440 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,600. With a cost-of-living index of 91.46 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chattanooga.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chattanooga
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,219.99 | $5,287 | $63,440 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $732.00 | $3,172 | $38,064 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $488.00 | $2,115 | $25,376 |
Compare MLS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist (Chattanooga) | $30.50 |
| 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 Chattanooga, TN earn a median of $63,425 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.72% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 2.00% below the Tennessee state average of $64,720.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.50/hr = $38,064/year (purchasing power: $41,616).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,440/year (purchasing power: $69,360).
CoL index: 91.464 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Chattanooga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.08/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Chattanooga grew 18.0% from $25.08/hr (2019) to $29.60/hr (2025). At a 3.04% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.43/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 Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga
When considering part-time employment, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working 24 hours a week could expect to take home around $38,520 annually, significantly less than full-time counterparts but allowing for flexible work-life balance. For those seeking additional hourly earning potential, per diem roles can offer agency rates that typically run 10-25% higher than standard staff wages. In Chattanooga, compensation may vary depending on the employer type; private practices may pay differently compared to large healthcare organizations or community health centers. Some technologists accept lower hourly rates in favor of comprehensive benefits packages, while others prioritize higher pay without health insurance. When negotiating hourly compensation, professionals are encouraged to research local pay trends and emphasize their specific skills and certifications, particularly in a market where demand is projected to grow at a rate of 3.04% annually.
More salary data for Chattanooga, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Chattanooga in 2026?
How much do part-time medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Chattanooga?
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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 Chattanooga. 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