Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in San Mateo, CA: $78,520 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in San Mateo, CA earns a median $78,520/year (≈ $37.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in San Mateo's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $69,425 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In San Mateo, California, the projected median annual salary for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in 2026 is $78,520, which represents a 14.24% increase compared to the national median of $68,734. Salary estimates indicate a range from $45,542 at the 10th percentile to $121,706 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating a diverse market for this profession. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and include adjustments for regional cost-of-living factors. Given the relatively high cost of living in San Mateo, professionals in the field can expect their salaries to reflect this economic reality, providing a somewhat limited but competitive compensation structure for those working in the area.
About the San Mateo Market
Salary estimated from California average ($100,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,542 | $21.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,887 | $29.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,520 | $37.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,505 | $48.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121,706 | $58.52 |
Median Salary Position
14.24% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Mateo
In San Mateo, CA, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,164 (2026 est.). At $78,520, the local median is 14.24% above the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Mateo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Mateo Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
San Mateo median: $78,520/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Mateo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $77,665 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $68,734 | +14.24% more |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in San Mateo, CA earn a median of $78,520 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.24% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 1.10% above the California state average of $77,665.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Mateo has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Mateo, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $78,520 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,425 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,324
2025 BLS Actual
$76,203
2026 Current Est.
$78,520
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in San Mateo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,324 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,607 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,991 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,482 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,300 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,203 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,520 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,907 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Mateo metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 18.5% from $64,324 (2019) to $76,203 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,907 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,583 (25.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Mateo 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) | $45,542 – $60,887 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,887 – $78,520 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,520 – $100,505 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,505 – $121,706 |
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 Mateo
The local job market in San Mateo currently employs 21 medical and clinical laboratory technologists, highlighting a niche yet vital sector within healthcare. The cost-of-living index of 113.1 suggests that while salaries are higher than the national average, they are also counterbalanced by higher expenses, impacting real purchasing power. Among employers, large healthcare organizations typically offer the most competitive pay, with various factors influencing salary variation such as shift differentials and specialty credentials. To maximize compensation in this specific market, professionals should consider seeking additional certifications, negotiating for shift-based incentives, and targeting larger facilities, which often provide more comprehensive benefits and higher overall pay structures. Understanding these dynamics can greatly influence how much medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in San Mateo, CA.
More salary data for San Mateo, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in San Mateo, CA in 2026?
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Can medical and clinical laboratory technologists make $100K in San Mateo?
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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 $76,203 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the San Mateo 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 San Mateo 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