Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Torrance, CA: $79,028 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Torrance, CA earns a median $79,028/year (≈ $37.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Torrance's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $69,874 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Torrance, California, earn a median annual salary of $79,028, which exceeds the national median of $68,734 by approximately 14.98%. Salaries in this field exhibit a broad range, with the lowest 10% earning around $45,836 and the top 90% making as much as $122,493. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, reflecting local market conditions and adjustments for the cost of living. With 26 medical and clinical laboratory technologists currently employed in Torrance, the job market shows signs of healthy competition, suggesting varying levels of compensation based on employer type and individual credentials.
About the Torrance Market
Salary estimated from California average ($100,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,836 | $22.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,194 | $27.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,028 | $37.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,155 | $48.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,493 | $58.89 |
Median Salary Position
14.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Torrance
In Torrance, CA, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,657 (2026 est.). At $79,028, the local median is 14.98% above the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Torrance: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Torrance Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Torrance median: $79,028/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Torrance Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $77,707 | +1.70% more |
| National Average | $68,734 | +14.98% more |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Torrance, CA earn a median of $79,028 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.98% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 1.70% above the California state average of $77,707.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Torrance has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Torrance, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,028 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,874 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,740
2025 BLS Actual
$76,696
2026 Current Est.
$79,028
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Torrance (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,032 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,444 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,932 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,076 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,696 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,028 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,430 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Torrance metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 18.5% from $64,740 (2019) to $76,696 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,430 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,690 (25.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Torrance 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) | $45,836 – $57,194 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,194 – $79,028 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,028 – $101,155 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,155 – $122,493 |
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 Torrance
The cost of living in Torrance, with a cost-of-living index of 113.1, indicates that salaries must stretch further than in many other regions. This figure impacts the take-home purchasing power for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, as local living expenses are comparatively high. Among employers, large healthcare organizations generally offer the most competitive salaries, in contrast to private practices or smaller community health centers. Variations in pay are often influenced by additional factors, including shift differentials, specialty certifications, and the overall benefits structure provided by employers. To maximize their earnings in Torrance, professionals might consider seeking positions in larger healthcare facilities or pursuing additional credentials that enhance their marketability within this competitive landscape.
More salary data for Torrance, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can medical and clinical laboratory technologists make $100K in Torrance?
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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 $76,696 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Torrance 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 Torrance 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