Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Dover, DE: $63,688 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Dover, DE earns a median $63,688/year (≈ $30.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Dover's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.5), that paycheck buys what $65,316 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.0% below the Delaware state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dover, Delaware, the projected median annual salary for medical and clinical laboratory technologists is $63,688, which reflects a slight decrease of 7.34% compared to the national median of $68,734. Salaries in this field range from roughly $41,647 at the 10th percentile to $107,071 at the 90th percentile, indicating a substantial disparity in compensation based on experience and expertise. Figures are drawn from the latest BLS estimates, encouraging those considering this career path to weigh the salary potential against the cost of living in the area. With a cost-of-living index below the national average, the purchasing power of these salaries may offer a more favorable picture of financial health for workers in Dover.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,647 | $20.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,952 | $24.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,688 | $30.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,740 | $41.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,071 | $51.48 |
Median Salary Position
7.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dover
In Dover, DE, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,424 (2026 est.). At $63,688, the local median is 7.34% below the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dover: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dover Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Dover median: $63,688/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dover Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $74,056 | -14.00% less |
| National Average | $68,734 | -7.34% less |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Dover, DE earn a median of $63,688 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.34% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 14.00% below the Delaware state average of $74,056.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dover has a cost of living 2.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dover, DE has a cost-of-living index of 97.507 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $63,688 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,316 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.56% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,580
2025 BLS Actual
$61,809
2026 Current Est.
$63,688
2019–2027 Growth
+6.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Dover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,580 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,358 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,697 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,809 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,688 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,624 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dover metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 0.4% from $61,580 (2019) to $61,809 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,624 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,044 (6.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dover 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) | $41,647 – $50,952 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,952 – $63,688 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,688 – $85,740 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,740 – $107,071 |
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 Dover
With only 40 medical and clinical laboratory technologists currently employed in Dover, the job market can be somewhat limited, yet this size can also foster a close-knit community of professionals. The local cost-of-living index stands at 97.507, suggesting that while salaries may lag compared to the national average, the economic situation could allow for reasonable living expenses in relation to take-home pay. Major employers, such as large healthcare organizations and community health centers, typically offer competitive pay packages, which may include shift differentials and specialized credentials that significantly influence salary outcomes. To maximize compensation in this market, professionals should consider pursuing additional certifications or seeking roles in higher-paying healthcare institutions, as these strategies are crucial for improving overall earnings potential in the medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay landscape in Dover, DE.
More salary data for Dover, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Dover, DE in 2026?
Is Dover, DE a good place to work as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?
Can medical and clinical laboratory technologists make $100K in Dover?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in Dover?
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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 $61,809 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Dover 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, 4-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