Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Kearney, NE: $64,197 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Kearney, NE earns a median $64,197/year (≈ $30.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Kearney's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $70,161 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Kearney, NE, has an employment count of just 9 medical and clinical laboratory technologists, indicating a relatively niche local market. The median annual salary for this occupation is $64,197, which falls short of the 2026 national median of $68,734 by 6.60%. Salary estimates range from $42,772 at the 10th percentile to $99,506 at the 90th percentile, suggesting a diverse pay scale that reflects variations in experience, skills, and possibly employer type. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, with adjustments for local economic conditions. Despite the modest employment numbers, Kearney’s job market for this profession emphasizes the importance of specialized skills and credentialing, which can lead to better compensation.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,772 | $20.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,435 | $24.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,197 | $30.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,172 | $39.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,506 | $47.84 |
Median Salary Position
6.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearney
In Kearney, NE, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,734 (2026 est.). At $64,197, the local median is 6.6% below the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kearney: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearney Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Kearney median: $64,197/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearney Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $66,664 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $68,734 | -6.60% less |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Kearney, NE earn a median of $64,197 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.60% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $66,664.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kearney has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kearney, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $64,197 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,161 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,591
2025 BLS Actual
$62,303
2026 Current Est.
$64,197
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,591 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,640 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,224 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,808 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,174 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,392 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,303 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,197 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,149 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearney metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 18.5% from $52,591 (2019) to $62,303 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,149 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,558 (25.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearney 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) | $42,772 – $50,435 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,435 – $64,197 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,197 – $82,172 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,172 – $99,506 |
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 Kearney
Compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Kearney may be influenced by several factors, including the cost of living index, which sits at 91.5—below the national average. This lower cost of living can enhance the purchasing power of salaries, making the local pay more attractive when considering living expenses. Larger healthcare organizations and specialty clinics tend to offer the highest salaries, likely due to their capacity to provide additional benefits and competitive pay structures. Variances in salaries within the profession can also stem from shift differentials for evening or weekend work, as well as required specialty credentials that enhance a technologist's value. In light of the local market dynamics, professionals aiming to maximize their medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in Kearney should focus on obtaining advanced certifications and seeking opportunities in larger employers where pay tends to be more competitive.
More salary data for Kearney, NE:
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 $62,303 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Kearney 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
Salary data for Kearney is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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