Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Santa Cruz, CA: $90,764 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Santa Cruz, CA earns a median $90,764/year (≈ $43.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Santa Cruz's price level (10% above national, BEA RPP 109.9), that paycheck buys what $82,591 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.8% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Cruz, California, the salary for medical and clinical laboratory technologists is quite competitive, with a median annual pay of $90,764. This figure reflects a considerable premium compared to the national median of $68,734, highlighting a 32.05% increase in earnings potential in this coastal city. The projected salary range for this profession in Santa Cruz spans from $59,952 at the lower tenth percentile to $109,484 at the upper ninetieth percentile, indicating a diverse landscape in compensation based on experience and specialization. This data comes from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected to 2026, showcasing a dynamic job market for professionals in the healthcare sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,952 | $28.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,276 | $40.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,764 | $43.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,411 | $45.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,484 | $52.63 |
Median Salary Position
32.05% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Cruz
In Santa Cruz, CA, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,532 (2026 est.). At $90,764, the local median is 32.05% above the national median of $68,734.
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At 40 hours/week in Santa Cruz: You'd be above the median
How Santa Cruz Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Santa Cruz median: $90,764/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Cruz Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $77,709 | +16.80% more |
| National Average | $68,734 | +32.05% more |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Santa Cruz, CA earn a median of $90,764 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.05% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 16.80% above the California state average of $77,709.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Cruz has a cost of living 9.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Cruz, CA has a cost-of-living index of 109.896 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $90,764 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $82,591 — a 9% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,530
2025 BLS Actual
$88,086
2026 Current Est.
$90,764
2019–2027 Growth
+44.9%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Santa Cruz (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,180 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,510 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,086 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,764 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,523 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Cruz metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 36.5% from $64,530 (2019) to $88,086 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,523 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,993 (44.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Cruz 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) | $59,952 – $84,276 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,276 – $90,764 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,764 – $94,411 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,411 – $109,484 |
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 Santa Cruz
With approximately 80 medical and clinical laboratory technologists currently employed in the city, Santa Cruz presents a stable job environment for those in this field. However, professionals should be aware that the cost of living index stands at 109.896, indicating that living expenses are above the national average. This reality can influence take-home pay significantly. Among local employers, larger healthcare organizations and specialty clinics often provide the highest salaries, benefiting from comprehensive benefits that can enhance overall compensation. Variations in pay are driven by factors such as shift differentials, specialized skills, and the scale of the employer. To maximize earnings in Santa Cruz, pursuing additional certifications and seeking employment with larger institutions may be especially beneficial strategies.
More salary data for Santa Cruz, 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 $88,086 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Santa Cruz 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