Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY: $67,128 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY earns a median $67,128/year (≈ $32.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Louisville/Jefferson County's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $72,123 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% above the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Louisville/Jefferson County, Kentucky, approximately 1,600 medical and clinical laboratory technologists contribute to the local healthcare workforce. This employment number suggests a relatively stable job market, where the 2026 median annual salary is projected at $67,128. Technologists in this area can expect earnings to range from $42,585 at the 10th percentile to $102,767 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and give a clear snapshot of compensation across the profession. Despite being slightly below the national median salary of $68,734, the local outlook reflects a promising growth trend of 3.04% annually.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,585 | $20.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,800 | $24.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,128 | $32.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,858 | $42.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,767 | $49.41 |
Median Salary Position
2.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Louisville/Jefferson County
In Louisville/Jefferson County, KY, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,182 (2026 est.). At $67,128, the local median is 2.34% below the national median of $68,734.
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At 40 hours/week in Louisville/Jefferson County: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Louisville/Jefferson County Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Louisville/Jefferson County median: $67,128/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Louisville/Jefferson County Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $65,237 | +2.90% more |
| National Average | $68,734 | -2.34% less |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY earn a median of $67,128 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.34% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 2.90% above the Kentucky state average of $65,237.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Louisville/Jefferson County has a cost of living 6.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY has a cost-of-living index of 93.074 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $67,128 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,123 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.44% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,760
2025 BLS Actual
$65,148
2026 Current Est.
$67,128
2019–2027 Growth
+26.3%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Louisville/Jefferson County (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,310 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,070 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,148 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,128 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,169 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisville/Jefferson County metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 19.0% from $54,760 (2019) to $65,148 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,169 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,409 (26.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisville/Jefferson County 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) | $42,585 – $50,800 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,800 – $67,128 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,128 – $87,858 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,858 – $102,767 |
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 Louisville/Jefferson County
The cost of living in Louisville/Jefferson County, with a CoL index of 93.074, further shapes the financial landscape for medical and clinical laboratory technologists. With this index sitting below the national average, earnings tend to stretch further, enhancing local purchasing power. Among the various employers, large healthcare organizations typically offer the highest pay, whereas community health centers and private practices may present more limited salary options. The variation in compensation largely stems from factors such as shift differentials, specific specialty credentials, employer size, and additional benefits. To maximize earnings in this market, pursuing certifications and seeking positions in larger networks or specialized facilities can significantly enhance pay potential. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for professionals wondering how much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Louisville/Jefferson County KY.
More salary data for Louisville/Jefferson County, KY:
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 $65,148 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Louisville/Jefferson County 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