Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Lincoln, NE: $61,088 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Lincoln, NE earns a median $61,088/year (≈ $29.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Lincoln's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $66,704 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.4% below the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lincoln, Nebraska, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary is forecasted to reach a median annual figure of $61,088 in 2026, reflecting the dynamics of the local employment market where approximately 330 professionals are currently employed in this field. With salaries ranging from $40,849 at the 10th percentile to $89,235 at the 90th percentile, these figures illustrate a moderate level of market saturation in comparison to national trends. This data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, indicates that while Lincoln's compensation is about 11.12% lower than the national median of $68,734, the steady need for laboratory technologists suggests a steady career path in healthcare.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,849 | $19.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,511 | $23.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,088 | $29.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,069 | $39.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,235 | $42.91 |
Median Salary Position
11.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lincoln
In Lincoln, NE, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,386 (2026 est.). At $61,088, the local median is 11.12% below the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lincoln: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lincoln Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Lincoln median: $61,088/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lincoln Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $66,690 | -8.40% less |
| National Average | $68,734 | -11.12% less |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Lincoln, NE earn a median of $61,088 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.12% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 8.40% below the Nebraska state average of $66,690.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lincoln has a cost of living 8.42% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lincoln, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.581 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $61,088 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,704 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,710
2025 BLS Actual
$59,286
2026 Current Est.
$61,088
2019–2027 Growth
+37.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,030 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,850 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,286 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,088 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,945 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lincoln metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 29.7% from $45,710 (2019) to $59,286 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,945 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,235 (37.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lincoln 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) | $40,849 – $49,511 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,511 – $61,088 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,088 – $82,069 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,069 – $89,235 |
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 Lincoln
Evaluating the Lincoln job market, the cost of living index stands at 91.581, indicating a more affordable lifestyle compared to the national average, which may enhance take-home purchasing power for medical and clinical laboratory technologists. Among local employers, large healthcare organizations typically offer higher salaries, likely due to their financial capacity and extensive benefits packages. Factors contributing to pay disparities include shift differentials, the demand for specialty credentials, and the size of the employer. For those looking to optimize their salary in Lincoln, seeking positions in larger healthcare systems or specializing in high-demand areas can be effective strategies, capitalizing on the growth rate of 3.04% projected for the profession over the next five years. Understanding these nuances can significantly impact how much medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Lincoln, NE.
More salary data for Lincoln, 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 $59,286 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Lincoln 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