Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Kansas City, MO: $64,693 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Kansas City, MO earns a median $64,693/year (≈ $31.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Kansas City's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.5), that paycheck buys what $69,906 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.7% above the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Kansas City, Missouri, can expect an average annual salary of $64,693. This figure represents a slight decline compared to the national median of $68,734, reflecting a 5.88% difference in compensation. The salary range for professionals in this role varies significantly, with entry-level positions earning about $42,335 and top-tier technologists making upwards of $104,678. These insights come from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, indicating that Kansas City's job market provides competitive, albeit varied, compensation for laboratory professionals. Given the city’s lower cost of living index of 92.543 compared to the national average, the purchasing power for these salaries tends to be more favorable, enhancing the appeal of a career in the medical and clinical laboratory field in Kansas City.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,335 | $20.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,876 | $24.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,693 | $31.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,046 | $41.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,678 | $50.32 |
Median Salary Position
5.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kansas City
In Kansas City, MO, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,343 (2026 est.). At $64,693, the local median is 5.88% below the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kansas City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kansas City Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Kansas City median: $64,693/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kansas City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $59,515 | +8.70% more |
| National Average | $68,734 | -5.88% less |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Kansas City, MO earn a median of $64,693 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.88% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 8.70% above the Missouri state average of $59,515.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kansas City has a cost of living 7.46% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kansas City, MO has a cost-of-living index of 92.543 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $64,693 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,906 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.06% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,480
2025 BLS Actual
$62,784
2026 Current Est.
$64,693
2019–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Kansas City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,850 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,140 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,784 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,693 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,659 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kansas City metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 32.2% from $47,480 (2019) to $62,784 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,659 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,179 (40.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kansas City 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) | $42,335 – $50,876 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,876 – $64,693 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,693 – $86,046 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,046 – $104,678 |
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 Kansas City
The job market for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Kansas City is strong, with approximately 2,990 individuals employed in this field. The lower cost of living in the area works in favor of professionals, as it allows for greater take-home purchasing power relative to their earnings. Among local employers, large healthcare organizations tend to offer the highest salaries, followed by private practices and specialty clinics. Factors contributing to the spread in earnings include shift differentials, specialty credentials, and the overall benefits structure offered by different employers. To maximize pay in the Kansas City market, professionals should consider obtaining additional certifications or seeking roles in settings that typically offer higher compensation rates. Keeping abreast of industry trends and actively pursuing additional responsibilities can also enhance career advancement opportunities and improve salary potential.
More salary data for Kansas City, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can medical and clinical laboratory technologists make $100K in Kansas City?
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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 $62,784 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Kansas City 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