Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay in Cleveland, TN: $30.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working in Cleveland, TN runs $30.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,611 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Weighted against Cleveland's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.1, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,167 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Cleveland, TN, the hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist stands at a median of $30.58, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $33.05. For professionals in clinical settings, this translates into practical earning scenarios; for instance, working part-time at three days a week would yield substantial income, with the hourly rate allowing for flexible scheduling while still ensuring a solid wage. Entry-level workers can expect to earn around $19.76 per hour, while seasoned technologists might take home close to $30.58 an hour, highlighting a significant range in potential earnings as reported by the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections for 2026.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.76 | $158.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.02 | $192.15 |
| Median (P50) | $30.58 | $244.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.58 | $244.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.58 | $244.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cleveland
Based on $30.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.58/hr, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cleveland, TN can expect to earn approximately $63,611 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,699. With a cost-of-living index of 88.08 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cleveland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cleveland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,223.29 | $5,301 | $63,611 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $733.97 | $3,181 | $38,167 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $489.32 | $2,120 | $25,444 |
Compare MLS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist (Cleveland) | $30.58 |
| 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 Cleveland, TN earn a median of $63,611 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.45% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 1.70% below the Tennessee state average of $64,711.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.58/hr = $38,167/year (purchasing power: $43,332).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,611/year (purchasing power: $72,220).
CoL index: 88.08 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+71.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Cleveland grew 61.0% from $18.43/hr (2019) to $29.68/hr (2025). At a 3.04% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.51/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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland
For those considering part-time work, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist on a three-day workweek would potentially earn less annually compared to full-time counterparts, but still find reasonable compensation depending on their hours. Per diem medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in Cleveland can offer a compelling alternative, often featuring rates that are 10-25% higher than standard W-2 pay due to increased flexibility and demand in certain situations. Salary variations across employer types also contribute to this nuance; for instance, large healthcare organizations may offer more stable hourly wages, while private practices and specialty clinics could have differing pay structures. Technologists weighing the benefits of health insurance against higher hourly rates without benefits need to consider their overall compensation package, as some may prioritize job stability over slightly higher hourly earnings. Negotiating pay in Cleveland requires understanding local market conditions—researching typical pay for specific settings will equip workers with the necessary information to advocate for their worth effectively.
More salary data for Cleveland, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Cleveland in 2026?
How much do part-time medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Cleveland?
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Do medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn more per hour working part-time in Cleveland?
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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 Cleveland. 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