Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Chapel Hill, NC: $64,254 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Chapel Hill, NC earns a median $64,254/year (≈ $30.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Chapel Hill's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $68,647 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, offers a median annual salary of $64,254 for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, reflecting the local market's specific conditions. This compensation level is approximately 6.52% lower than the national median of $68,734, demonstrating a slight undervaluation within this region. The salary spectrum ranges from $38,253 at the 10th percentile to $99,593 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant variance in pay. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, along with adjusted regional cost considerations. With only nine professionals employed in this field in the area, the market appears relatively concentrated, which can influence salary dynamics and job competition in Chapel Hill.
About the Chapel Hill Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,253 | $18.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,064 | $22.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,254 | $30.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,244 | $39.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,593 | $47.88 |
Median Salary Position
6.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chapel Hill
In Chapel Hill, NC, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,340 (2026 est.). At $64,254, the local median is 6.52% below the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chapel Hill: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chapel Hill Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Chapel Hill median: $64,254/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chapel Hill Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $64,382 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $68,734 | -6.52% less |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Chapel Hill, NC earn a median of $64,254 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.52% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 0.20% below the North Carolina state average of $64,382.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chapel Hill has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chapel Hill, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $64,254 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,647 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,637
2025 BLS Actual
$62,358
2026 Current Est.
$64,254
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Chapel Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,637 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,688 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,275 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,858 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,228 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,358 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,254 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,207 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chapel Hill metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 18.5% from $52,637 (2019) to $62,358 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,207 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,570 (25.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chapel Hill 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) | $38,253 – $47,064 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,064 – $64,254 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,254 – $82,244 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,244 – $99,593 |
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 Chapel Hill
Examining the local job market for medical and clinical laboratory technologists reveals a unique economic context. The cost-of-living index in Chapel Hill stands at 93.6, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than the national average, everyday expenses can be more manageable for residents. Employers in the area include large healthcare organizations and community health centers, which often provide higher pay scales due to their size and operational budgets compared to private practices. The wide salary range can be attributed to factors like shift differentials, necessary specialty credentials, and the overall benefits package offered. For those aiming to increase their medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in Chapel Hill, pursuing additional certifications and seeking opportunities in larger healthcare settings may yield the best financial benefits.
More salary data for Chapel Hill, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Chapel Hill, NC in 2026?
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Can medical and clinical laboratory technologists make $100K in Chapel Hill?
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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 $62,358 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill 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