Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay in Nashville, TN: $34.17 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working in Nashville, TN runs $34.17 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,061 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Weighted against Nashville's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.3, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,642 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Nashville, TN, medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn a median hourly rate of $34.17, reflecting a competitive compensation landscape compared to the national median of $33.05. At this rate, professionals working part-time, such as those on a three-day workweek, can expect to earn approximately $1,955 weekly, making it an appealing option for those seeking flexible employment in clinical settings. The hourly pay range for this occupation in Nashville is quite broad, from about $20.75 for entry-level positions up to $51.03 for the most experienced professionals, showcasing significant earning potential depending on the individual's experience and employer.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.75 | $166.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.81 | $206.49 |
| Median (P50) | $34.17 | $273.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.25 | $353.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.03 | $408.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Nashville
Based on $34.17/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.17/hr, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Nashville, TN can expect to earn approximately $71,070 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,002. With a cost-of-living index of 96.34 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Nashville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Nashville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,366.72 | $5,922 | $71,070 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $820.03 | $3,553 | $42,642 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $546.69 | $2,369 | $28,428 |
Compare MLS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist (Nashville) | $34.17 |
| 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 Nashville, TN earn a median of $71,061 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.39% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 9.80% above the Tennessee state average of $64,718.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.17/hr = $42,642/year (purchasing power: $44,263).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,070/year (purchasing power: $73,771).
CoL index: 96.338 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.17/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Nashville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.17/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Nashville grew 28.7% from $25.77/hr (2019) to $33.16/hr (2025). At a 3.04% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.21/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 Nashville 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 Nashville
The earnings potential for part-time medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Nashville can result in substantial annual take-home pay. For instance, working 24 hours per week at the median rate translates to roughly $51,710 a year before taxes, which can be quite favorable compared to the typical full-time salary. Per diem medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in Nashville often runs at a premium of 10-25% above standard hourly wages, providing another viable income pathway for professionals looking for flexibility. It's also essential to consider that hourly rates may differ across various employers in Nashville, with private practices often offering less than large healthcare organizations. While some technologists may choose slightly lower hourly rates for consistent benefits, others might opt for higher per diem positions without health insurance but with room for negotiation. Practitioners should be mindful that compensation is often reflective of the specific employer type, and those negotiating their pay should leverage their experience and local market rates to achieve a favorable deal.
More salary data for Nashville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Nashville in 2026?
How much do part-time medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Nashville?
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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 Nashville. 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