Med Lab Scientist Salary

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in South Gate, CA: $76,534 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in South Gate, CA earns a median $76,534/year (≈ $36.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in South Gate's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $67,669 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the California state average.

$76,534
Median Annual Salary
$36.80/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$49,736
Entry Level (P10)
$118,628
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in South Gate, CA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
South Gate, CA medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In South Gate, California, the local median salary for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist is calculated at $76,534 for 2026, reflecting a competitive advantage over the national median of $68,734. Considering the adjusted cost of living in this region, which has a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing power for professionals in this field is bolstered in comparison to many other areas. The salary range for medical and clinical laboratory technologists varies, with the first decile earning around $49,736 and the ninetieth percentile reaching $118,628. These figures, derived from the 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, highlight the diverse earning potential and affirm South Gate as a viable market for laboratory professionals.

About the South Gate Market

Salary estimated from California average ($100,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$49,736$23.92
Lower Range (P25)$57,749$27.76
Median (P50)(typical)$76,534$36.80
Upper Range (P75)$97,963$47.10
Top Earners (P90)$118,628$57.03

Median Salary Position

$49,736$118,628
City Median: $76,534
National: $68,734
P10–P90 Range

11.35% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Gate

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in South Gate. The median salary is $76,534, compared to the national median of $68,734.$44.8K$64.7K$84.7K$104.6K$124.6K$49.7K10th Pctl$57.7K25th Pctl$76.5KMedian$98.0K75th Pctl$118.6K90th PctlUS Median$68.7K

In South Gate, CA, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,892 (2026 est.). At $76,534, the local median is 11.35% above the national median of $68,734.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in the South Gate metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,472
per week
$6,378
per month
$76,535
per year

At 40 hours/week in South Gate: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How South Gate Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares

South Gate median: $76,534/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalarySouth Gate Pays
California Average$77,699-1.50% less
National Average$68,734+11.35% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical and clinical laboratory technologist median salary in South Gate ($76,534) with California average ($77,699) and the US national median ($68,734).South Gate$76,534California Avg$77,699-1.50%US National$68,734+11.35%

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in South Gate, CA earn a median of $76,534 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.35% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 1.50% below the California state average of $77,699.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$76,534
Nominal Salary
113.1
CoL Index
$67,669
Adjusted Salary

South Gate has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $76,534. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $67,669, a loss of $8,865.$57.5K$65.1K$72.8K$80.4K$88.0K$76,534NominalSalary$67,669CoL Adjusted(CoL: 113.1) -11.58%US Median $68.7K

South Gate, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,534 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $67,669 — a 11.58% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$62,697

2025 BLS Actual

$74,276

2026 Current Est.

$76,534

2019–2027 Growth

+25.8%

Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in South Gate (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in South Gate. Baseline $62,697 in 2025, projected to $78,861 by 2027.$53.0K$70.0K$87.1K$104.1K$121.2K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$62.7K$63.9K$68.2K$67.7K$71.7K$111.4K$74.3K$76.5K$78.9K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$62,697Actual
2020$63,948Actual
2021$68,221Actual
2022$67,725Actual
2023$71,738Actual
2024$111,409Actual
2025$74,276Actual
2026(current)$76,534Estimated
2027$78,861Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Gate metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 18.5% from $62,697 (2019) to $74,276 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,861 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,164 (25.78%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Gate metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$49,736$57,749
3-5 years (Mid Career)$57,749$76,534
5+ years (Experienced)$76,534$97,963
10+ years (Top Earner)$97,963$118,628

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 South Gate

The job market for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in South Gate features approximately 25 employed in the field, which suggests a stable yet concentrated workforce. With the cost of living being above average, salaries can fluctuate based on various factors. Employers such as large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics typically offer higher wages compared to private practices or community health centers. The disparity in pay can be attributed to factors like shift differentials, specialty credentials, and the benefits package offered by employers, all of which play a significant role in compensation. To maximize earning potential in South Gate, professionals should consider pursuing additional certifications and targeting larger institutions known for better salary offerings. Ultimately, strategy and specialization can significantly influence how much medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in South Gate, CA.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in South Gate, CA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in South Gate is $76,534/year ($36.80/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.04% annual growth). Salaries range from $49,736 at entry level (10th percentile) to $118,628 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts South Gate at 11.3% above the national median. Full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologists typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is South Gate, CA a good place to work as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

South Gate medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries are 11.3% above the national average and 1.5% below the California state average. The metro area employs approximately 25 medical and clinical laboratory technologists. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can medical and clinical laboratory technologists make $100K in South Gate?

The median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in South Gate is $76,534, and the 90th percentile earns $118,628. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in South Gate?

After adjusting for South Gate's cost-of-living index of 113.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $76,534 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $67,669 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in South Gate reduce the effective value of your salary by 11.6% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a medical and clinical laboratory technologist make per hour in South Gate?

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in South Gate earn a median hourly rate of $36.80, which translates to approximately $76,534/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $23.92 for entry-level positions to $57.03 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem medical and clinical laboratory technologists sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

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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.

Clinically reviewed by Jerome Patel, BS, MT(ASCP)Data verified by Fatima Hussain, MS, CLS

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 $74,276 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the South Gate 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 South Gate is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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