Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Fontana, CA: $80,798 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Fontana, CA earns a median $80,798/year (≈ $38.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Fontana's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $71,439 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Fontana, California, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist can expect a median annual income of $80,798 in 2026. This figure positions Fontana's salaries significantly above the national median of $68,734, providing an attractive purchasing power in a region with a cost-of-living index of 113.1. The salary for this role varies widely, spanning from $46,863 at the 10th percentile to $125,237 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity of opportunities and environments available to professionals in the field. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parity, highlight a healthy job market for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Fontana, underscoring the importance of this profession in local healthcare systems.
About the Fontana Market
Salary estimated from California average ($100,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,863 | $22.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,174 | $27.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,798 | $38.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,421 | $49.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,237 | $60.21 |
Median Salary Position
17.55% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fontana
In Fontana, CA, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,374 (2026 est.). At $80,798, the local median is 17.55% above the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fontana: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fontana Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Fontana median: $80,798/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fontana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $77,690 | +4.00% more |
| National Average | $68,734 | +17.55% more |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Fontana, CA earn a median of $80,798 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.55% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 4.00% above the California state average of $77,690.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fontana has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fontana, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,798 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,439 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$66,190
2025 BLS Actual
$78,414
2026 Current Est.
$80,798
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Fontana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,190 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,511 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,022 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,498 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,735 | Actual |
| 2024 | $117,616 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,414 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,798 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,254 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fontana metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 18.5% from $66,190 (2019) to $78,414 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,254 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,064 (25.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fontana 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) | $46,863 – $58,174 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,174 – $80,798 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,798 – $103,421 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,421 – $125,237 |
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 Fontana
The employment landscape in Fontana is characterized by a modest pool of 32 medical and clinical laboratory technologists, indicating a stable job market with potential growth opportunities at a projected annual growth rate of 3.04%. Given the high cost of living, which affects take-home pay, professionals may find it beneficial to pursue positions within larger healthcare organizations, which tend to offer better compensation and benefits than smaller private practices or community health centers. The variability in salaries can often be attributed to factors such as shift differentials, specialty credentials, and the size of the employer. To maximize earnings in Fontana's market, technologists should consider obtaining specialized certifications and seeking employment with major healthcare systems known for competitive pay structures.
More salary data for Fontana, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Fontana, CA in 2026?
Is Fontana, CA a good place to work as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?
Can medical and clinical laboratory technologists make $100K in Fontana?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in Fontana?
How much does a medical and clinical laboratory technologist make per hour in Fontana?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $78,414 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Fontana 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 Fontana 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