Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay in Jackson, TN: $32.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working in Jackson, TN runs $32.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,176 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Weighted against Jackson's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.5, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,906 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Jackson, Tennessee, earn a median hourly rate of $32.78, which is slightly below the national median of $33.05. This hourly compensation provides a solid income for both full-time and part-time employees in various clinical settings, such as hospitals and testing laboratories. For those working three days a week, this could mean approximately $2,600 in earnings monthly, making it an attractive option for individuals seeking a work-life balance. The hourly pay for this profession in Jackson varies significantly, ranging from $20.21 for entry-level positions to $42.41 for the highest earners, as indicated by the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.21 | $161.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.55 | $188.44 |
| Median (P50) | $32.78 | $262.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.41 | $339.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.41 | $339.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jackson
Based on $32.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.78/hr, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jackson, TN can expect to earn approximately $68,176 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,332. With a cost-of-living index of 85.52 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jackson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jackson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,311.08 | $5,681 | $68,176 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $786.65 | $3,409 | $40,906 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $524.43 | $2,273 | $27,270 |
Compare MLS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist (Jackson) | $32.78 |
| 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 Jackson, TN earn a median of $68,176 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.81% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 5.30% above the Tennessee state average of $64,745.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.78/hr = $40,906/year (purchasing power: $47,831).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,176/year (purchasing power: $79,718).
CoL index: 85.522 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+78.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.09/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Jackson grew 68.5% from $18.88/hr (2019) to $31.81/hr (2025). At a 3.04% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.77/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 Jackson 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 Jackson
For a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working part-time, annual income can contrast sharply with full-time wages. For instance, someone on a 24-hour per week schedule would take home significantly less over the year compared to their full-time counterparts. Per-diem work offers another avenue, with agency rates often exceeding staff pay by 10-25%. This creates opportunities for increased earnings, particularly at larger healthcare facilities in Jackson. The type of employer can influence hourly rates, with community health centers typically offering lower pay compared to specialty clinics or large hospitals. However, many professionals find themselves weighing the benefits of stable employment, such as health insurance, against higher hourly wages available in part-time or per diem roles without benefits. Effective negotiation skills can also help workers in the area secure better hourly pay by emphasizing the demand for skilled technicians amidst the evolving landscape of the healthcare sector.
More salary data for Jackson, TN:
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 Jackson. 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