Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Columbia, MO: $73,616 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Columbia, MO earns a median $73,616/year (≈ $35.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Columbia's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.4), that paycheck buys what $82,310 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 23.7% above the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Columbia, Missouri presents attractive prospects for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, with a projected median annual salary of $73,616 in 2026. This local figure is notably higher than the national median of $68,734, reflecting the competitive nature of this market. The salary range in Columbia spans from $42,608 at the lower end (P10) to $99,775 at the higher end (P90). Such data is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys. With 230 medical and clinical laboratory technologists employed in Columbia, the job market exhibits a healthy demand relative to the supply of qualified professionals in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,608 | $20.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,484 | $27.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,616 | $35.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,673 | $46.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,775 | $47.98 |
Median Salary Position
7.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbia
In Columbia, MO, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,167 (2026 est.). At $73,616, the local median is 7.1% above the national median of $68,734.
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At 40 hours/week in Columbia: You'd be above the median
How Columbia Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Columbia median: $73,616/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $59,512 | +23.70% more |
| National Average | $68,734 | +7.10% more |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Columbia, MO earn a median of $73,616 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.10% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 23.70% above the Missouri state average of $59,512.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbia has a cost of living 10.56% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbia, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.438 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $73,616 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $82,310 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.81% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,100
2025 BLS Actual
$71,444
2026 Current Est.
$73,616
2019–2027 Growth
+89.2%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,510 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,444 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,616 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,854 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbia metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 78.2% from $40,100 (2019) to $71,444 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,854 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,754 (89.16%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbia 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) | $42,608 – $57,484 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,484 – $73,616 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,616 – $96,673 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,673 – $99,775 |
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 Columbia
Given the cost of living index in Columbia stands at 89.438, this indicates that the purchasing power for these technologists can be favorable compared to more expensive markets. Among local employers, large healthcare organizations generally offer the highest salaries, often due to more extensive benefits packages and opportunities for career advancement. Variations in compensation are driven by multiple factors, including shift differentials for evening and weekend work, as well as the need for specialized credentials in certain laboratory areas. To maximize compensation in Columbia, technologists should consider pursuing certifications in high-demand specialties and staying informed about employer offerings, as negotiating salary and benefits can significantly impact overall take-home pay.
More salary data for Columbia, MO:
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 $71,444 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Columbia 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, 6-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