Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Grand Rapids, MI: $54,590 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Grand Rapids, MI earns a median $54,590/year (≈ $26.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Grand Rapids's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $57,135 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 19.6% below the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The projected annual salary for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Grand Rapids, MI, is $54,590 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median salary of $68,734. Local professionals can expect to see their salaries range from $41,614 at the 10th percentile to as high as $89,256 at the 90th percentile. Derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, these figures indicate that while employment opportunities are present, with approximately 1,170 positions filled by technologists in the area, the competition might be notable. With a growth rate of 3.04% projected over the next five years, job seekers will need to pay close attention to the specific dynamics within Grand Rapids’s healthcare market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,614 | $20.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,712 | $20.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,590 | $26.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,215 | $40.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,256 | $42.92 |
Median Salary Position
20.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Rapids
In Grand Rapids, MI, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,642 (2026 est.). At $54,590, the local median is 20.58% below the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grand Rapids: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Grand Rapids Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Grand Rapids median: $54,590/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $67,897 | -19.60% less |
| National Average | $68,734 | -20.58% less |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Grand Rapids, MI earn a median of $54,590 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.58% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 19.60% below the Michigan state average of $67,897.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Rapids has a cost of living 4.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Rapids, MI has a cost-of-living index of 95.546 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $54,590 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,135 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,960
2025 BLS Actual
$52,979
2026 Current Est.
$54,590
2019–2027 Growth
+30.9%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Grand Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,960 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,610 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,920 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,979 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,590 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,249 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Rapids metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 23.3% from $42,960 (2019) to $52,979 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,249 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,289 (30.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Rapids 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) | $41,614 – $41,712 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,712 – $54,590 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,590 – $85,215 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,215 – $89,256 |
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 Grand Rapids
In this context, the cost of living in Grand Rapids, calculated at a CoL index of 95.546, suggests that residents may benefit from a more accessible lifestyle compared to national averages. The presence of various employers—including private practices, large healthcare organizations, community health centers, and specialty clinics—contributes to a variance in local pay. Typically, larger healthcare institutions tend to offer more competitive salaries, particularly for those with specialized credentials and shift differentials. To maximize medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in Grand Rapids, professionals should consider seeking further education, certifications, and negotiating benefits, as these factors can significantly enhance overall compensation packages in this evolving field.
More salary data for Grand Rapids, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Grand Rapids, MI in 2026?
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Can medical and clinical laboratory technologists make $100K in Grand Rapids?
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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 $52,979 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Grand Rapids 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