Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in San Jose, CA: $92,697 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in San Jose, CA earns a median $92,697/year (≈ $44.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in San Jose's price level (10% above national, BEA RPP 110.4), that paycheck buys what $83,947 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 19.3% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in San Jose, California, reaches $92,697, significantly exceeding the national median of $68,734 by 34.86%. Salaries in this field vary widely, with a full range from $72,994 to $163,430, reflecting the diverse nature of healthcare employment in the area. These insights are drawn from comprehensive official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys. Such a compelling compensation package highlights the competitive job market for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in San Jose, where demand for skilled professionals is strong.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,994 | $35.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,486 | $43.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $92,697 | $44.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,840 | $52.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $163,430 | $78.58 |
Median Salary Position
34.86% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Jose
In San Jose, CA, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $90,436 (2026 est.). At $92,697, the local median is 34.86% above the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Jose: You'd be in the entry-level range
How San Jose Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
San Jose median: $92,697/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Jose Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $77,701 | +19.30% more |
| National Average | $68,734 | +34.86% more |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in San Jose, CA earn a median of $92,697 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.86% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 19.30% above the California state average of $77,701.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Jose has a cost of living 10.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Jose, CA has a cost-of-living index of 110.423 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $92,697 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $83,947 — a 9.44% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,940
2025 BLS Actual
$89,962
2026 Current Est.
$92,697
2019–2027 Growth
+56.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in San Jose (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,940 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,962 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,697 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,515 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Jose metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 47.6% from $60,940 (2019) to $89,962 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,515 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,575 (56.74%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Jose 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) | $72,994 – $89,486 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,486 – $92,697 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $92,697 – $108,840 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,840 – $163,430 |
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 San Jose
The local job market for medical and clinical laboratory technologists is robust, with around 1,870 professionals currently employed in San Jose. The cost of living index stands at 110.423, indicating that while salaries may be higher than the national average, so too are living expenses. Employers in the region vary in their pay structures, with large healthcare organizations typically offering more competitive salaries compared to private practices and community health centers. Factors contributing to the pay disparity include shift differentials, the necessity for specialty credentials, and the overall size and benefits provided by the employer. To maximize pay in this San Jose market, aspiring technologists should focus on obtaining additional certifications and considering roles in larger healthcare facilities or specialized clinics, where compensation tends to be higher. Understanding the local market dynamics will be key to achieving a successful and financially rewarding career in this field.
More salary data for San Jose, 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 $89,962 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the San Jose 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