Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Sacramento, CA: $90,818 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Sacramento, CA earns a median $90,818/year (≈ $43.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Sacramento's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 106.7), that paycheck buys what $85,139 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.9% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sacramento, the expected earnings for medical and clinical laboratory technologists are significantly above national averages, with a projected median annual salary of $90,818 for 2026. This figure reflects a range from $53,858 at the 10th percentile to $139,106 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. With around 2,020 professionals employed in this field, the job market suggests a solid demand for skilled technologists, indicating opportunity amid a competitive landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,858 | $25.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,155 | $32.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,818 | $43.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,380 | $48.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139,106 | $66.87 |
Median Salary Position
32.13% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sacramento
In Sacramento, CA, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $85,248 (2026 est.). At $90,818, the local median is 32.13% above the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sacramento: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sacramento Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Sacramento median: $90,818/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sacramento Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $77,689 | +16.90% more |
| National Average | $68,734 | +32.13% more |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Sacramento, CA earn a median of $90,818 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.13% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 16.90% above the California state average of $77,689.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sacramento has a cost of living 6.67% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sacramento, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $90,818 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $85,139 — a 6.25% 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
$65,300
2025 BLS Actual
$88,139
2026 Current Est.
$90,818
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,300 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,430 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,460 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,139 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,818 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,579 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sacramento metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 35.0% from $65,300 (2019) to $88,139 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,579 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,279 (43.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sacramento 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) | $53,858 – $68,155 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,155 – $90,818 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,818 – $101,380 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,380 – $139,106 |
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 Sacramento
The compensation environment for medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in Sacramento, CA, is shaped not only by salary figures but also by the local cost of living index, which stands at 106.67. This means that while pay is favorable, it’s crucial to consider living expenses when evaluating take-home income. Among employers, large healthcare organizations tend to offer higher salaries compared to private practices and community health centers, driven by their ability to provide comprehensive benefits and incentives. The variance in pay stems from factors such as shift differentials, the need for specialized credentials, and the scale of the employing organization. To maximize pay in Sacramento, professionals might pursue additional certifications or seek out positions in larger facilities that value specialized skills, which could lead to higher earnings and better overall job satisfaction.
More salary data for Sacramento, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Sacramento, CA in 2026?
Is Sacramento, CA a good place to work as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?
Can medical and clinical laboratory technologists make $100K in Sacramento?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in Sacramento?
How much does a medical and clinical laboratory technologist make per hour in Sacramento?
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 $88,139 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Sacramento 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, 7-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