Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Costa Mesa, CA: $78,067 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Costa Mesa, CA earns a median $78,067/year (≈ $37.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Costa Mesa's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $69,025 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Costa Mesa, California, medical and clinical laboratory technologists can expect a median annual salary of $78,067 as of 2026. This figure is notably higher than the national median of $68,734, indicating a strong local market for this profession. Salaries in this field vary widely, with a range from $47,798 at the 10th percentile to $121,004 for those in the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and are adjusted for regional cost of living factors. The presence of 23 medical and clinical laboratory technologists in the area suggests a relatively niche job market, which presents unique opportunities and challenges for job seekers in Costa Mesa.
About the Costa Mesa Market
Salary estimated from California average ($100,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,798 | $22.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,310 | $28.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,067 | $37.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,926 | $48.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121,004 | $58.18 |
Median Salary Position
13.58% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Costa Mesa
In Costa Mesa, CA, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,206 (2026 est.). At $78,067, the local median is 13.58% above the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Costa Mesa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Costa Mesa Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Costa Mesa median: $78,067/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Costa Mesa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $77,679 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $68,734 | +13.58% more |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Costa Mesa, CA earn a median of $78,067 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.58% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 0.50% above the California state average of $77,679.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Costa Mesa has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Costa Mesa, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $78,067 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,025 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,953
2025 BLS Actual
$75,764
2026 Current Est.
$78,067
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Costa Mesa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,953 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,230 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,588 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,082 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,176 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,642 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,764 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,067 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,440 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Costa Mesa metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 18.5% from $63,953 (2019) to $75,764 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,440 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,487 (25.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Costa Mesa 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $47,798 – $58,310 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,310 – $78,067 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,067 – $99,926 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,926 – $121,004 |
MLS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Job Market in Costa Mesa
Examining the local job market reveals that competition for positions may be influenced by the cost of living in Costa Mesa, which sits at a 113.1 index, indicating living expenses are higher than the national average. This suggests that while salaries may be more favorable than the national average, the purchasing power could be impacted. Employers in large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics tend to offer the most competitive pay compared to private practices and community health centers, due to the complexity of the roles and associated responsibilities. Factors such as shift differentials, specialty credentials, and the employer's size play a significant role in salary variation. For those seeking to maximize their medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in Costa Mesa, pursuing additional certifications and experience in high-demand specialties can greatly enhance earning potential in this exciting healthcare market.
More salary data for Costa Mesa, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Costa Mesa, CA in 2026?
Is Costa Mesa, CA a good place to work as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?
Can medical and clinical laboratory technologists make $100K in Costa Mesa?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in Costa Mesa?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $75,764 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Costa Mesa metropolitan area. A 3.04% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Costa Mesa 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