Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in St. Joseph, MO: $51,608 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in St. Joseph, MO earns a median $51,608/year (≈ $24.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in St. Joseph's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.4), that paycheck buys what $59,744 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.3% below the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Joseph, Missouri, the landscape for medical and clinical laboratory technologist positions reveals a median annual salary of $51,608, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026. This local salary falls significantly below the national median of $68,734, indicating a potential disparity and competitive job environment. Salaries in this field range from $38,435 at the 10th percentile to $101,129 at the 90th percentile. With approximately 110 individuals currently working in these roles in the area, the employment market shows signs of moderate saturation, suggesting both opportunities and challenges for job seekers in St. Joseph.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,435 | $18.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,172 | $23.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,608 | $24.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,290 | $38.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,129 | $48.62 |
Median Salary Position
24.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Joseph
In St. Joseph, MO, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,694 (2026 est.). At $51,608, the local median is 24.92% below the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Joseph: You'd be in the entry-level range
How St. Joseph Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
St. Joseph median: $51,608/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Joseph Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $59,524 | -13.30% less |
| National Average | $68,734 | -24.92% less |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in St. Joseph, MO earn a median of $51,608 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.92% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 13.30% below the Missouri state average of $59,524.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Joseph has a cost of living 13.62% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Joseph, MO has a cost-of-living index of 86.382 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $51,608 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,744 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,930
2025 BLS Actual
$50,085
2026 Current Est.
$51,608
2019–2027 Growth
+29.9%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in St. Joseph (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,060 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,450 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,290 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,840 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,085 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,608 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,176 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Joseph metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 22.4% from $40,930 (2019) to $50,085 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,176 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,246 (29.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Joseph 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) | $38,435 – $49,172 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,172 – $51,608 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,608 – $80,290 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,290 – $101,129 |
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 St. Joseph
Focusing on the local job market, there are currently 110 medical and clinical laboratory technologists employed in St. Joseph, a figure that reflects the demand for skilled professionals within the healthcare sector. The cost of living index in the area stands at 86.382, which is below the national average, impacting the take-home purchasing power for technologists. Large healthcare organizations typically offer the most competitive pay, as compared to private practices, community health centers, and specialty clinics. The salary variations are often driven by factors such as shift differentials for evenings and weekends, the necessity for specialized credentials, and the overall size and benefits structure of employers. For those looking to maximize their medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in St. Joseph MO, pursuing additional certifications and seeking employment with larger institutions can prove advantageous, given the prevailing local dynamics.
More salary data for St. Joseph, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in St. Joseph, MO in 2026?
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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 $50,085 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the St. Joseph 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