Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Missouri: $64,999 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Missouri's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay sits at $64,999/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2010. Because Missouri sits at BEA RPP 89.6 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $72,544 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Columbia ($71,444), St. Louis ($65,540), Kansas City ($62,784).
In Missouri, medical and clinical laboratory technologists can expect an average median salary of $64,999, which is approximately 5.4% lower than the national median of $68,734. The salary variation across the state is significant, with the highest paying city, Columbia, offering $73,616, while St. Joseph presents the lowest at $51,608, highlighting a gap of $22,008. This disparity is driven by factors such as local demand for healthcare services, the concentration of healthcare facilities, and the cost of living in each area. Missouri has specific requirements for licensure and certifications that can influence job prospects. Technologists must fulfill state licensing requirements and adhere to scope of practice laws, which can affect their range of duties and responsibilities. With a projected growth rate of 3.04%, the job market for medical and clinical laboratory technologists is stable, indicating a demand for skilled professionals in the field. Major urban centers such as St. Louis, with an average salary of $67,532, and Kansas City, earning $64,693, are significant employment hubs. Other notable cities include Jefferson City at $62,311 and Independence at $60,721, further contributing to a diverse job market across the state.
Missouri Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Missouri: $34,832 (lowest entry-level) to $105,793 (highest top earner)
Missouri vs National Average
Missouri medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn 5.43% less than the national median ($-3,735/year difference).
Missouri Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist salaries in Missouri range from $41,615 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $102,893 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $64,999. The Missouri median is $3,735 below the US national median of $68,734. The average hourly rate is $31.25/hr. Approximately 8,522 medical and clinical laboratory technologists are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$46,591
2025 BLS Actual
$63,081
2026 Current Est.
$64,999
2019–2027 Growth
+43.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Missouri (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,591 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,405 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,165 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,692 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,087 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,081 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,999 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,975 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Missouri metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 35.4% from $46,591 (2019) to $63,081 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,975 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,384 (43.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missouri 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Missouri
Lowest Paying Cities in Missouri
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| St. Joseph | $51,608 |
| Hannibal | $54,903 |
| Raymore | $55,081 |
| Branson | $55,292 |
| Joplin | $55,364 |
Best Value Cities for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Missouri
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Missouri cities offer the most purchasing power for medical and clinical laboratory technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $73,616 | 89.438 | $82,310 |
| St. Louis | $67,532 | 95.088 | $71,021 |
| Jefferson City | $62,311 | 87.975 | $70,828 |
| Kansas City | $64,693 | 92.543 | $69,906 |
| Independence | $60,721 | 89.6 | $67,769 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Missouri
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $41,615 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $64,999 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $102,893 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Missouri metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Missouri
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia | $73,616 |
| 2 | St. Louis | $67,532 |
| 3 | Kansas City | $64,693 |
| 4 | Jefferson City | $62,311 |
| 5 | Independence | $60,721 |
| 6 | St. Peters | $60,278 |
| 7 | St. Charles | $60,165 |
| 8 | O'Fallon | $59,467 |
| 9 | Florissant | $59,156 |
| 10 | Wildwood | $59,026 |
| 11 | Kirkwood | $59,010 |
| 12 | Lee's Summit | $58,977 |
| 13 | Chesterfield | $58,968 |
| 14 | University City | $58,659 |
| 15 | Liberty | $58,636 |
| 16 | Grandview | $58,534 |
| 17 | Maryland Heights | $58,437 |
| 18 | Blue Springs | $57,776 |
| 19 | Raytown | $57,430 |
| 20 | Webster Groves | $57,144 |
| 21 | Sedalia | $57,126 |
| 22 | Ballwin | $57,024 |
| 23 | Nixa | $57,019 |
| 24 | Gladstone | $56,867 |
| 25 | Wentzville | $56,733 |
| 26 | Cape Girardeau | $56,686 |
| 27 | Belton | $56,254 |
| 28 | Springfield | $56,217 |
| 29 | Joplin | $55,364 |
| 30 | Branson | $55,292 |
| 31 | Raymore | $55,081 |
| 32 | Hannibal | $54,903 |
| 33 | St. Joseph | $51,608 |
More Missouri Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical and clinical laboratory technologist hourly pay in Missouri cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new medical and clinical laboratory technologists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.
Compare Cities in Missouri
View all comparisons →Explore More Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Missouri in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Missouri?
How does Missouri medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in Missouri?
How many medical and clinical laboratory technologists are employed in Missouri?
Which Missouri city offers the best value for medical and clinical laboratory technologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.04% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation across Missouri. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical and clinical laboratory technologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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