Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Washington, DC: $76,783 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Washington, DC earns a median $76,783/year (≈ $36.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Washington's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.9), that paycheck buys what $70,518 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.9% below the District of Columbia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Washington, DC, the median annual salary for medical and clinical laboratory technologists is projected to be $76,783 in 2026, reflecting a competitive income compared to the national median of $68,734. This figure places local compensation approximately 11.71% higher than the national average. With an employment count of 5,680 in the region, there is a substantial market presence for these professionals, indicating that while opportunities exist, competition is also noteworthy. Salary ranges show a spectrum from $47,468 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $113,908 at the upper end (90th percentile), as derived from data based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This range highlights the potential for varied earnings based on experience, specialization, and employment settings in the local healthcare industry.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,468 | $22.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,524 | $26.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,783 | $36.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,468 | $48.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,908 | $54.77 |
Median Salary Position
11.71% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Washington
In Washington, DC, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,440 (2026 est.). At $76,783, the local median is 11.71% above the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Washington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Washington Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Washington median: $76,783/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Washington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia Average | $85,220 | -9.90% less |
| National Average | $68,734 | +11.71% more |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Washington, DC earn a median of $76,783 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.71% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 9.90% below the District of Columbia state average of $85,220.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Washington has a cost of living 8.88% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Washington, DC has a cost-of-living index of 108.884 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,783 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,518 — a 8.16% reduction.
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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 Washington (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 Washington 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 Washington 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) | $47,468 – $54,524 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,524 – $76,783 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,783 – $101,468 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,468 – $113,908 |
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 Washington
The job market for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Washington demonstrates resilience, driven by the presence of large healthcare organizations, private practices, community health centers, and specialty clinics. The cost-of-living index of 108.884 suggests that professionals here must navigate a higher cost of living, impacting take-home purchasing power despite above-average salaries. Employers with larger infrastructures typically offer more competitive compensation packages, which can include shift differentials and higher pay for specialized credentials. To maximize earnings potential in this market, professionals should consider pursuing certifications in high-demand areas and seeking positions in larger facilities, where opportunities for advancement and benefits may lead to significantly improved compensation structures.
More salary data for Washington, DC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $74,518 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Washington 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