Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in El Monte, CA: $79,718 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in El Monte, CA earns a median $79,718/year (≈ $38.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in El Monte's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $70,485 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Employment opportunities for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in El Monte, California, indicate a targeted job market with only 20 professionals currently working in this specialty. As of 2026, the projected median annual salary for these roles stands at $79,718, which reflects a 15.98% increase over the national median of $68,734. Salary offerings range significantly from $47,468 at the lowest decile (P10) to $123,562 at the highest (P90), suggesting diverse compensation levels within the local healthcare environment. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, highlight the financial potential for those entering or advancing in this field in El Monte, CA.
About the El Monte Market
Salary estimated from California average ($100,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,468 | $22.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,528 | $28.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,718 | $38.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,038 | $49.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,562 | $59.40 |
Median Salary Position
15.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in El Monte
In El Monte, CA, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,094 (2026 est.). At $79,718, the local median is 15.98% above the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in El Monte: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How El Monte Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
El Monte median: $79,718/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | El Monte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $77,698 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $68,734 | +15.98% more |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in El Monte, CA earn a median of $79,718 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.98% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 2.60% above the California state average of $77,698.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
El Monte has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
El Monte, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,718 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,485 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,306
2025 BLS Actual
$77,366
2026 Current Est.
$79,718
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in El Monte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,306 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,609 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,059 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,543 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,723 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,045 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,366 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,718 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,141 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the El Monte metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 18.5% from $65,306 (2019) to $77,366 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,141 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,835 (25.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the El Monte 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) | $47,468 – $58,528 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,528 – $79,718 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,718 – $102,038 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,038 – $123,562 |
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 Monte
In El Monte, the cost of living index sits at 113.1, which impacts the take-home salary of medical and clinical laboratory technologists. Given this higher-than-average cost of living, professionals need to align their employment strategies to maximize earning potential. Larger healthcare organizations and specialty clinics typically offer the most competitive salaries. Factors such as shift differentials, credentials, and benefits packages significantly influence wage variations. For those looking to enhance their income, pursuing specialized certifications or gaining experience in high-demand areas can lead to better pay. Understanding how much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in El Monte can guide prospective employees in making informed decisions about their career trajectories, considering that the local market may not be adequate to fully offset higher living expenses.
More salary data for El Monte, 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 $77,366 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the El Monte 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 El Monte 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