Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay in Falls Church, VA: $28.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working in Falls Church, VA runs $28.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,119 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Weighted against Falls Church's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,071 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Falls Church, Virginia, the projected median hourly pay for medical and clinical laboratory technologists is $28.90, which sits below the national median of $33.05. This translates into practical earnings for those working part-time, such as a technologist working three days a week, who could expect to earn around $1,080 on a bi-weekly basis. For those pursuing per-diem opportunities in clinical settings, this hourly rate means that entry-level workers earn about $19.41, while the most experienced professionals can make up to $43.29. These figures suggest that the profession offers diverse earning potentials, reflecting both the demand for skilled labor and the varying responsibilities of laboratory roles.
About the Falls Church Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.41 | $155.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.65 | $181.19 |
| Median (P50) | $28.90 | $231.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.20 | $289.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.29 | $346.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Falls Church
Based on $28.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.90/hr, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Falls Church, VA can expect to earn approximately $60,118 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,683. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Falls Church.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Falls Church
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,156.11 | $5,010 | $60,118 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $693.67 | $3,006 | $36,071 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $462.44 | $2,004 | $24,047 |
Compare MLS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist (Falls Church) | $28.90 |
| 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 Falls Church, VA earn a median of $60,119 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.53% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 7.80% below the Virginia state average of $65,205.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.90/hr = $36,071/year (purchasing power: $34,952).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,118/year (purchasing power: $58,254).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$23.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.05/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Falls Church (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.05/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Falls Church grew 18.5% from $23.68/hr (2019) to $28.05/hr (2025). At a 3.04% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.78/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 Falls Church 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 Falls Church
Examining the local employment market reveals significant variability in hourly earnings based on workplace setting. For part-time medical and clinical laboratory technologists, a three-day work schedule may result in an annual income significantly less than a full-time salary, emphasizing the trade-offs involved in pursuing flexible work arrangements. Per-diem or agency roles often provide higher compensation, typically 10-25% above standard staff pay, incentivizing many professionals to pursue this model despite the lack of traditional benefits. Within Falls Church, rates can differ between private practices, large healthcare organizations, community health centers, and specialty clinics, highlighting the importance of understanding one's employer type in negotiating compensation. As these technologists navigate various roles, weighing the benefits of health insurance against hourly wages remains crucial; those working for larger institutions might accept slightly lower pay for a comprehensive benefits package, while those valuing flexibility might lean toward higher hourly rates without benefits. For successful negotiation, leveraging local market knowledge and being prepared with comparable salary data could greatly enhance a labor technologist's position in the pay discussions.
More salary data for Falls Church, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Falls Church in 2026?
How much do part-time medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Falls Church?
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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 Falls Church. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Falls Church is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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