Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in District of Columbia: $76,783 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across District of Columbia's 1 metropolitan areas, the average median medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay sits at $76,783/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2010. Because District of Columbia sits at BEA RPP 117.0 (17% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $65,626 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Washington ($74,518).
In 2026, the average median salary for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in the District of Columbia is projected to be $76,783, which is significantly higher than the national median of $68,734, representing a 11.7% increase over national averages. Notably, Washington is the only city in the state and thus has both the highest and lowest pay rates at $76,783. The lack of variation is mainly due to the concentration of healthcare facilities and demand in the metropolitan area, which directly supports this salary level. Licensing requirements in the District of Columbia are stringent, requiring potential technologists to complete an accredited educational program and pass certification exams. This, along with an expanding scope of practice for laboratory technologists, fuels demand within the sector. Additionally, an annual growth rate of 3.04% indicates a steady need for skilled professionals due to an increasing population and advancement in medical technologies. With a total employment figure of 5,680 medical and clinical laboratory technologists, the job market in the District of Columbia remains solid, offering opportunities for career growth in a stable and essential field.
District of Columbia Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in District of Columbia: $47,468 (lowest entry-level) to $113,908 (highest top earner)
District of Columbia vs National Average
District of Columbia medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn 11.71% more than the national median (+$8,049/year difference).
District of Columbia Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist salaries in District of Columbia range from $47,468 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $113,908 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $76,783. The District of Columbia median is $8,049 above the US national median of $68,734. The average hourly rate is $36.92/hr. Approximately 5,680 medical and clinical laboratory technologists are employed across 1 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$60,480
2025 BLS Actual
$74,518
2026 Current Est.
$76,783
2019–2027 Growth
+30.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in District of Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,518 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,783 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,118 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the District of Columbia metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 23.2% from $60,480 (2019) to $74,518 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,118 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,638 (30.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the District of Columbia 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.
Top 1 Highest Paying Cities in District of Columbia
Salary by Experience Level in District of Columbia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $47,468 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $76,783 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $113,908 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across District of Columbia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 1 Cities in District of Columbia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $76,783 |
More District of Columbia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical and clinical laboratory technologist hourly pay in District of Columbia cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.
Explore More Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in District of Columbia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in District of Columbia?
How does District of Columbia medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in District of Columbia?
How many medical and clinical laboratory technologists are employed in District of Columbia?
Which District of Columbia city offers the best value for medical and clinical laboratory technologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.04% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation across District of Columbia. State averages are employment-weighted across 1 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical and clinical laboratory technologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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