Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Denver, CO: $76,510 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Denver, CO earns a median $76,510/year (≈ $36.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Denver's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 105.8), that paycheck buys what $72,328 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Denver, CO, the projected median annual salary for medical and clinical laboratory technologists is set at $76,510 in 2026, exceeding the national median of $68,734 by 11.31%. With the salary range spanning from $53,093 at the 10th percentile to $111,647 at the 90th percentile, the compensation for this profession reflects significant variation based on experience, specialization, and employer type. These figures are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and highlight the city’s competitive landscape for laboratory technologists, which can be influenced by the growing demand for healthcare services in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,093 | $25.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,812 | $27.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,510 | $36.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,104 | $46.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,647 | $53.67 |
Median Salary Position
11.31% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denver
In Denver, CO, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,554 (2026 est.). At $76,510, the local median is 11.31% above the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Denver: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Denver Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Denver median: $76,510/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Denver Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $68,734 | +11.31% more |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Denver, CO earn a median of $76,510 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.31% higher than the national median of $68,734.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Denver has a cost of living 5.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Denver, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.782 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,510 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,328 — a 5.47% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$54,660
2025 BLS Actual
$74,253
2026 Current Est.
$76,510
2019–2027 Growth
+44.2%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,030 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,253 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,510 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,836 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Denver metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 35.8% from $54,660 (2019) to $74,253 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,836 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,176 (44.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denver 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) | $53,093 – $57,812 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,812 – $76,510 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,510 – $96,104 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,104 – $111,647 |
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 Denver
The local job market employs approximately 2,890 medical and clinical laboratory technologists, creating various opportunities for professionals in this field. With a cost-of-living index at 105.782, the purchasing power of these salaries may be slightly diminished compared to other areas, meaning that technologists must consider living expenses when evaluating their take-home pay. Large healthcare organizations tend to offer the most competitive salaries in the Denver area, while private practices and community health centers may lag behind. Factors such as shift differentials, specialty credentials, and the structure of benefits can drive disparities in earnings. For those looking to maximize their medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in Denver, pursuing additional certifications or shifting towards institutions that provide robust benefits packages could be strategic moves in an evolving job market.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Denver, CO in 2026?
Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?
Can medical and clinical laboratory technologists make $100K in Denver?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in Denver?
How much does a medical and clinical laboratory technologist make per hour in Denver?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Colorado
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 $74,253 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Denver 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