Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Merced, CA: $75,487 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Merced, CA earns a median $75,487/year (≈ $36.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Merced's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $66,744 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Merced, California can expect a median annual salary of $75,487, which exceeds the national average for this role by about 9.82%. With salaries ranging from $45,520 at the lower end to $117,005 at the top forty percent of earners, these figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data with adjustments for regional cost factors. The labor market in Merced for medical and clinical laboratory technologists shows promise, benefiting from local healthcare growth and the increasing complexity of diagnostic services required by the community.
About the Merced Market
Salary estimated from California average ($100,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,520 | $21.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,727 | $26.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,487 | $36.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,624 | $46.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,005 | $56.25 |
Median Salary Position
9.82% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Merced
In Merced, CA, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,485 (2026 est.). At $75,487, the local median is 9.82% above the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Merced: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Merced Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Merced median: $75,487/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Merced Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $77,662 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $68,734 | +9.82% more |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Merced, CA earn a median of $75,487 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.82% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 2.80% below the California state average of $77,662.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Merced has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Merced, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $75,487 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $66,744 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,840
2025 BLS Actual
$73,260
2026 Current Est.
$75,487
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Merced (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,074 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,210 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,110 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,260 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,487 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,782 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Merced metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 18.5% from $61,840 (2019) to $73,260 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,782 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,942 (25.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Merced 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) | $45,520 – $55,727 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,727 – $75,487 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,487 – $96,624 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,624 – $117,005 |
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 Merced
The job market for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Merced includes around 20 professionals currently employed in this sector. Given the area's cost of living index of 113.1, which is above the national average, understanding the local economic context becomes essential for effective salary negotiations. Healthcare providers like large hospitals and specialty clinics tend to offer higher pay and better benefits due to their substantial patient volume and diverse service offerings. The spread in salaries can often be attributed to factors such as shift differentials and specialized certifications. To enhance earning potential, technologists should consider seeking additional training or credentials, networking within the industry, and targeting larger healthcare organizations, which may provide more competitive compensation packages.
More salary data for Merced, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Merced, CA in 2026?
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Can medical and clinical laboratory technologists make $100K in Merced?
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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 $73,260 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Merced 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 Merced 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