Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Chicago, IL: $80,781 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Chicago, IL earns a median $80,781/year (≈ $38.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Chicago's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $77,978 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.1% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Chicago are projected to earn a median annual salary of $80,781, reflecting a significant 17.53% increase compared to the national median of $68,734. The salary range for this profession in the city spans from approximately $48,692 at the 10th percentile to $110,118 at the 90th percentile. This data comes from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, projected from 2025 data. Given the cost of living index in Chicago, which stands at 103.595, professionals in this sector benefit from a purchasing power that underscores the demand for skilled labor in the healthcare field, which remains robust in urban settings like Chicago.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,692 | $23.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,783 | $28.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,781 | $38.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,801 | $44.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,118 | $52.94 |
Median Salary Position
17.53% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicago
In Chicago, IL, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,426 (2026 est.). At $80,781, the local median is 17.53% above the national median of $68,734.
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How Chicago Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Chicago median: $80,781/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chicago Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $72,710 | +11.10% more |
| National Average | $68,734 | +17.53% more |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Chicago, IL earn a median of $80,781 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.53% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 11.10% above the Illinois state average of $72,710.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chicago has a cost of living 3.59% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 103.595 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,781 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,978 — a 3.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,030
2025 BLS Actual
$78,398
2026 Current Est.
$80,781
2019–2027 Growth
+60.0%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,398 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,781 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,237 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chicago metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 50.7% from $52,030 (2019) to $78,398 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,237 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,207 (59.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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) | $48,692 – $58,783 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,783 – $80,781 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,781 – $91,801 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,801 – $110,118 |
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 Chicago
With around 7,620 medical and clinical laboratory technologists currently employed in the Chicago area, the job market demonstrates solid demand. The elevated cost of living impacts take-home pay, elevating the importance of understanding compensation dynamics. Among Chicago's various employers, large healthcare organizations tend to offer higher wages compared to community health centers and private practices. The pay disparity can often be attributed to factors such as shift differentials for evening and weekend work, the necessity of specialized credentials, and the overall size and benefits structure of the employer. To maximize earnings in this competitive market, professionals might consider obtaining advanced certifications or moving towards roles with larger health systems, where salaries are often more substantial. Furthermore, understanding and negotiating for additional benefits can also enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
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 $78,398 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Chicago 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