Med Lab Scientist Salary

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Metairie, LA: $60,882 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Metairie, LA earns a median $60,882/year (≈ $29.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Metairie's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $67,422 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Louisiana state average.

$60,882
Median Annual Salary
$29.27/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$35,312
Entry Level (P10)
$94,367
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Metairie, LA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Metairie, LA medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, the projected median annual salary for those working as medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Metairie, Louisiana, is set at $60,882, which reflects a notable gap from the national median salary of $68,734. This local compensation is indicative of the prevailing market conditions, with salaries ranging from $35,312 at the 10th percentile to $94,367 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors in Metairie. With a cost-of-living index of 90.3, workers in this field will find that their earnings have a differing purchasing power, impacting their overall financial well-being in this vibrant city.

About the Metairie Market

Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$35,312$16.98
Lower Range (P25)$47,430$22.80
Median (P50)(typical)$60,882$29.27
Upper Range (P75)$77,929$37.47
Top Earners (P90)$94,367$45.37

Median Salary Position

$35,312$94,367
City Median: $60,882
National: $68,734
P10–P90 Range

11.42% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Metairie

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Metairie. The median salary is $60,882, compared to the national median of $68,734.$31.8K$48.6K$65.4K$82.3K$99.1K$35.3K10th Pctl$47.4K25th Pctl$60.9KMedian$77.9K75th Pctl$94.4K90th PctlUS Median$68.7K

In Metairie, LA, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,055 (2026 est.). At $60,882, the local median is 11.42% below the national median of $68,734.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in the Metairie metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,171
per week
$5,074
per month
$60,889
per year

At 40 hours/week in Metairie: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Metairie Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares

Metairie median: $60,882/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryMetairie Pays
Louisiana Average$60,640+0.40% more
National Average$68,734-11.42% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical and clinical laboratory technologist median salary in Metairie ($60,882) with Louisiana average ($60,640) and the US national median ($68,734).Metairie$60,882Louisiana Avg$60,640+0.40%US National$68,734-11.42%

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Metairie, LA earn a median of $60,882 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.42% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 0.40% above the Louisiana state average of $60,640.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$60,882
Nominal Salary
90.3
CoL Index
$67,422
Adjusted Salary

Metairie has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $60,882. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 90.3, the purchasing-power equivalent is $67,422, a gain of $6,540.$51.7K$58.6K$65.4K$72.2K$79.0K$60,882NominalSalary$67,422CoL Adjusted(CoL: 90.3) 10.74%US Median $68.7K

Metairie, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $60,882 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,422 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$49,875

2025 BLS Actual

$59,086

2026 Current Est.

$60,882

2019–2027 Growth

+25.8%

Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Metairie (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Metairie. Baseline $49,875 in 2025, projected to $62,733 by 2027.$47.3K$51.8K$56.3K$60.8K$65.3K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$49.9K$50.9K$54.3K$53.9K$57.1K$54.9K$59.1K$60.9K$62.7K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$49,875Actual
2020$50,870Actual
2021$54,269Actual
2022$53,875Actual
2023$57,067Actual
2024$54,921Actual
2025$59,086Actual
2026(current)$60,882Estimated
2027$62,733Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Metairie metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 18.5% from $49,875 (2019) to $59,086 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,733 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,858 (25.78%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Metairie metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$35,312$47,430
3-5 years (Mid Career)$47,430$60,882
5+ years (Experienced)$60,882$77,929
10+ years (Top Earner)$77,929$94,367

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 Metairie

Currently, there are 23 medical and clinical laboratory technologists employed in the Metairie area, providing a snapshot of local job market dynamics. The cost of living being lower than the national average means that while salaries may feel somewhat constrained compared to national figures, the relative affordability could enhance overall take-home pay. Among employers, larger healthcare organizations typically offer the most competitive salaries, followed by specialty clinics and community health centers. Pay varies widely due to factors such as shift differentials, specific credentials, and the size of the employer. For those looking to maximize their earnings in the Metairie market, focusing on gaining advanced certifications or seeking positions within larger institutions can open opportunities for higher compensation. Understanding these elements can significantly influence how much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Metairie, LA.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Metairie, LA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in Metairie is $60,882/year ($29.27/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.04% annual growth). Salaries range from $35,312 at entry level (10th percentile) to $94,367 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Metairie at 11.4% below the national median. Full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologists typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Metairie, LA a good place to work as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Metairie medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries are 11.4% below the national average and 0.4% above the Louisiana state average. The metro area employs approximately 23 medical and clinical laboratory technologists. With a cost-of-living index of 90.3, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can medical and clinical laboratory technologists make $100K in Metairie?

The median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in Metairie is $60,882, and the 90th percentile earns $94,367. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in Metairie?

After adjusting for Metairie's cost-of-living index of 90.3 (where 100 equals the national average), the $60,882 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $67,422 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 10.7% further in Metairie compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for medical and clinical laboratory technologists seeking strong real wages.

How much does a medical and clinical laboratory technologist make per hour in Metairie?

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Metairie earn a median hourly rate of $29.27, which translates to approximately $60,882/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $16.98 for entry-level positions to $45.37 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem medical and clinical laboratory technologists sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

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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.

Clinically reviewed by Jerome Patel, BS, MT(ASCP)Data verified by Fatima Hussain, MS, CLS

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 $59,086 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Metairie 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

Salary data for Metairie is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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