Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Hickory, NC: $68,494 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Hickory, NC earns a median $68,494/year (≈ $32.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Hickory's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.5), that paycheck buys what $77,407 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With 250 medical and clinical laboratory technologists employed in Hickory, NC, the local job market reflects solid demand for professionals in this field. The projected median annual salary sits at $68,494, slightly below the national median of $68,734. Salary expectations here range from $43,580 at the lower end to $94,827 for those at the top of the pay scale, based on the 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This relatively favorable employment situation suggests that Hickory can be a viable option for those considering their career paths in laboratory technology, showcasing opportunities to earn competitive wages compared to other regions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,580 | $20.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,579 | $25.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,494 | $32.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,226 | $40.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,827 | $45.58 |
Median Salary Position
0.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hickory
In Hickory, NC, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,247 (2026 est.). At $68,494, the local median is 0.35% below the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hickory: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hickory Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Hickory median: $68,494/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hickory Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $64,374 | +6.40% more |
| National Average | $68,734 | -0.35% less |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Hickory, NC earn a median of $68,494 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.35% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 6.40% above the North Carolina state average of $64,374.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hickory has a cost of living 11.51% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hickory, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.486 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $68,494 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,407 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,750
2025 BLS Actual
$66,473
2026 Current Est.
$68,494
2019–2027 Growth
+51.0%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Hickory (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,473 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,494 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,576 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hickory metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 42.2% from $46,750 (2019) to $66,473 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,576 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,826 (50.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hickory 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) | $43,580 – $52,579 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,579 – $68,494 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,494 – $85,226 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,226 – $94,827 |
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 Hickory
In Hickory, the cost of living index of 88.486 indicates that typical expenses are lower than the national average, positively impacting the take-home purchasing power for medical and clinical laboratory technologists. Large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics tend to offer the highest salaries, potentially due to their ability to support a wider range of services and specialized care. The significant variance in pay—driven by factors such as shift differentials, specialty credentials, employer size, and benefits—highlights the importance of strategic career moves. To enhance compensation, technologists are advised to gain certifications in high-demand specialties and seek employment with larger institutions, tapping into professional development opportunities that can elevate their qualifications and marketability in Hickory, NC.
More salary data for Hickory, 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 $66,473 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Hickory 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