Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in North Carolina: $64,094 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay sits at $64,094/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2010. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $68,476 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Greenville ($69,366), Concord ($67,183), Winston ($66,738).
As of 2026, medical and clinical laboratory technologists in North Carolina earn an average median salary of $64,094, which is approximately 6.8% lower than the national median of $68,734. The highest paying city in the state is Greenville, where salaries reach $71,475, while Jacksonville has the lowest at $54,240, highlighting a significant salary gap of $17,235. This variance can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and availability of positions in different regions. North Carolina’s licensing requirements for laboratory technologists require candidates to hold at least a bachelor’s degree and pass a certification exam. The state's scope of practice laws also allow for a range of responsibilities that can influence salary levels. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.04%, the job market for this profession appears stable, partly driven by an increasing emphasis on healthcare services and advancements in medical technology. In North Carolina, cities like Concord ($69,225), Winston-Salem ($68,767), Hickory ($68,494), and Charlotte ($68,112) offer competitive salaries, reflecting regional demand and economic conditions. Overall, the outlook for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in North Carolina remains positive, bolstered by the ongoing need for skilled professionals in the healthcare sector.
North Carolina Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $35,913 (lowest entry-level) to $107,551 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn 6.75% less than the national median ($-4,640/year difference).
North Carolina Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist salaries in North Carolina range from $42,980 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $94,679 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $64,094. The North Carolina median is $4,640 below the US national median of $68,734. The average hourly rate is $30.82/hr. Approximately 9,725 medical and clinical laboratory technologists are employed across 44 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$49,818
2025 BLS Actual
$62,203
2026 Current Est.
$64,094
2019–2027 Growth
+32.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in North Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,818 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,703 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,464 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,358 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,324 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,582 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,203 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,094 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,043 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 24.9% from $49,818 (2019) to $62,203 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,043 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,225 (32.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Jacksonville | $54,240 |
| Burlington | $55,703 |
| Pinehurst | $59,658 |
| Leland | $59,769 |
| Carrboro | $60,665 |
Best Value Cities for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for medical and clinical laboratory technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville | $71,475 | 88.402 | $80,852 |
| Hickory | $68,494 | 88.486 | $77,407 |
| Rocky Mount | $67,969 | 88.012 | $77,227 |
| Winston | $68,767 | 92.043 | $74,712 |
| Concord | $69,225 | 93.6 | $73,958 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $42,980 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $64,094 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $94,679 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greenville | $71,475 |
| 2 | Concord | $69,225 |
| 3 | Winston | $68,767 |
| 4 | Hickory | $68,494 |
| 5 | Charlotte | $68,112 |
| 6 | Rocky Mount | $67,969 |
| 7 | Winston-Salem | $66,707 |
| 8 | Gastonia | $66,660 |
| 9 | Durham | $66,325 |
| 10 | Raleigh | $65,260 |
| 11 | Huntersville | $65,054 |
| 12 | Kannapolis | $64,952 |
| 13 | Cary | $64,950 |
| 14 | Apex | $64,800 |
| 15 | Chapel Hill | $64,254 |
| 16 | Statesville | $63,830 |
| 17 | Kernersville | $63,776 |
| 18 | Matthews | $63,625 |
| 19 | Cornelius | $63,515 |
| 20 | Wilmington | $63,470 |
| 21 | Sanford | $63,460 |
| 22 | Wake Forest | $63,459 |
| 23 | Morrisville | $63,430 |
| 24 | Fuquay-Varina | $63,260 |
| 25 | Salisbury | $63,251 |
| 26 | Thomasville | $63,146 |
| 27 | New Bern | $63,121 |
| 28 | Mint Hill | $63,106 |
| 29 | Fayetteville | $62,869 |
| 30 | Asheville | $62,497 |
| 31 | Greensboro | $62,409 |
| 32 | Holly Springs | $62,107 |
| 33 | Mooresville | $61,912 |
| 34 | Monroe | $61,887 |
| 35 | Garner | $61,748 |
| 36 | Wilson | $61,702 |
| 37 | High Point | $61,448 |
| 38 | Boone | $61,435 |
| 39 | Indian Trail | $60,903 |
| 40 | Carrboro | $60,665 |
| 41 | Leland | $59,769 |
| 42 | Pinehurst | $59,658 |
| 43 | Burlington | $55,703 |
| 44 | Jacksonville | $54,240 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical and clinical laboratory technologist hourly pay in North Carolina cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new medical and clinical laboratory technologists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.
Compare Cities in North Carolina
View all comparisons →Explore More Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in North Carolina?
How many medical and clinical laboratory technologists are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina city offers the best value for medical and clinical laboratory technologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.04% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation across North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical and clinical laboratory technologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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