Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in El Centro, CA: $63,611 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in El Centro, CA earns a median $63,611/year (≈ $30.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in El Centro's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.2), that paycheck buys what $66,837 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 18.1% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In El Centro, California, the projected median annual salary for medical and clinical laboratory technologists is $63,611 for the year 2026. This figure reflects a slight decrease when compared to the national median of $68,734, indicating a lower purchasing power in the region. The salary range for this occupation in El Centro varies from $49,696 at the 10th percentile to $92,839 at the 90th percentile. With these estimates derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, the job market offers a blend of compensation that is essential for professionals in healthcare to consider, particularly given the local economic context.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,696 | $23.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,907 | $25.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,611 | $30.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,648 | $39.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,839 | $44.64 |
Median Salary Position
7.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in El Centro
In El Centro, CA, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,143 (2026 est.). At $63,611, the local median is 7.45% below the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in El Centro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How El Centro Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
El Centro median: $63,611/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | El Centro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $77,669 | -18.10% less |
| National Average | $68,734 | -7.45% less |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in El Centro, CA earn a median of $63,611 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.45% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 18.10% below the California state average of $77,669.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
El Centro has a cost of living 4.83% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
El Centro, CA has a cost-of-living index of 95.174 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $63,611 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,837 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,980
2025 BLS Actual
$61,734
2026 Current Est.
$63,611
2019–2027 Growth
+49.0%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in El Centro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,734 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,611 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,544 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the El Centro metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 40.4% from $43,980 (2019) to $61,734 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,544 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,564 (49.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the El Centro 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) | $49,696 – $52,907 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,907 – $63,611 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,611 – $82,648 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,648 – $92,839 |
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 El Centro
Looking at the local labor market, approximately 50 medical and clinical laboratory technologists are employed within El Centro, CA, highlighting a relatively stable demand for positions in this field. The cost-of-living index for El Centro stands at 95.174, indicating that the area is slightly below the national average, which can influence the real purchasing power of technologists in the region. Employers that tend to pay the most include large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics, often offering higher wages due to their comprehensive benefits structures and the specialized skills required for certain roles. Factors such as shift differentials and advanced certifications can significantly affect salary variability, driving compensation higher for those who invest in their training. For technologists aiming to maximize their earnings in El Centro, securing positions with prominent healthcare entities and enhancing qualifications through additional certifications can lead to better pay outcomes.
More salary data for El Centro, CA:
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
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 $61,734 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the El Centro 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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