Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Cornelius, NC: $63,515 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Cornelius, NC earns a median $63,515/year (≈ $30.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Cornelius's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $67,858 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cornelius, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist is $63,515, which is approximately 7.59% lower than the national median of $68,734. The salary range in this area spans from $42,980 at the 10th percentile to $96,490 at the 90th percentile, offering a variety of earning potentials for professionals in the field. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, along with regional cost adjustments reflective of Cornelius's current economic conditions. With only seven medical and clinical laboratory technologists employed in the city, the market is somewhat limited, suggesting a competitive landscape for job seekers in this sphere.
About the Cornelius Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,980 | $20.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,388 | $24.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,515 | $30.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,790 | $38.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,490 | $46.39 |
Median Salary Position
7.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cornelius
In Cornelius, NC, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,510 (2026 est.). At $63,515, the local median is 7.59% below the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cornelius: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cornelius Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Cornelius median: $63,515/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cornelius Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $64,351 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $68,734 | -7.59% less |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Cornelius, NC earn a median of $63,515 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.59% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 1.30% below the North Carolina state average of $64,351.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cornelius 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.
Cornelius, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $63,515 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,858 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,032
2025 BLS Actual
$61,641
2026 Current Est.
$63,515
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Cornelius (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,032 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,070 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,616 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,205 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,535 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,961 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,641 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,515 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,446 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cornelius metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 18.5% from $52,032 (2019) to $61,641 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,446 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,414 (25.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cornelius 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) | $42,980 – $50,388 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,388 – $63,515 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,515 – $79,790 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,790 – $96,490 |
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 Cornelius
Amid the relatively low employment figures, the cost-of-living index for Cornelius sits at 93.6, below the national average. This indicates that while salaries may be lower than the national figures, the purchasing power for residents can still be favorable. Among potential employers, large healthcare organizations typically offer the highest pay, with factors such as specialty credentials and shift differentials contributing to the pay disparity. To optimize earnings, professionals should consider expanding their expertise through certification and seeking positions within larger healthcare systems, which often provide better benefits and salary structures compared to smaller community health centers or private practices. Understanding these dynamics is essential for anyone seeking to enhance their medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in Cornelius, NC.
More salary data for Cornelius, NC:
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 $61,641 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Cornelius 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 Cornelius 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