Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Jacksonville, NC: $54,240 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Jacksonville, NC earns a median $54,240/year (≈ $26.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Jacksonville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.1), that paycheck buys what $58,902 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.7% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jacksonville, North Carolina, the employment of 150 medical and clinical laboratory technologists reflects a stable job market for this profession. Projected 2026 estimates indicate a median annual salary of $54,240, significantly below the national median of $68,734. The salary range for these professionals in Jacksonville spans from $35,913 at the lower 10th percentile to $87,389 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) through their 2025 surveys, provides insight into the local compensation structure for medical and clinical laboratory technologists. The relatively low median salary suggests that while opportunities exist, the financial rewards may not reach the levels seen in other regions, indicating a more saturated job market in Jacksonville.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,913 | $17.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,766 | $20.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,240 | $26.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,105 | $33.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,389 | $42.02 |
Median Salary Position
21.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jacksonville
In Jacksonville, NC, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,476 (2026 est.). At $54,240, the local median is 21.09% below the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jacksonville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jacksonville Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Jacksonville median: $54,240/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jacksonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $64,342 | -15.70% less |
| National Average | $68,734 | -21.09% less |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Jacksonville, NC earn a median of $54,240 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.09% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 15.70% below the North Carolina state average of $64,342.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jacksonville has a cost of living 7.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jacksonville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 92.085 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $54,240 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,902 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.6% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,460
2025 BLS Actual
$52,640
2026 Current Est.
$54,240
2019–2027 Growth
+13.0%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,140 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,240 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,889 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jacksonville metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 6.4% from $49,460 (2019) to $52,640 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,889 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,429 (13.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville 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) | $35,913 – $41,766 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,766 – $54,240 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,240 – $69,105 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,105 – $87,389 |
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 Jacksonville
Considering the cost of living in Jacksonville, which sits at an index of 92.085, medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in Jacksonville NC tends to have a more favorable impact on purchasing power compared to many national averages. Large healthcare organizations usually offer some of the highest salaries among local employers, while private practices and community health centers might provide more modest compensation. Factors influencing the salary variation include shift differentials, specialty credentials, and the size of the employer's benefits structure. To maximize earnings, professionals in this field should seek out employment in larger hospitals or specialty clinics that not only offer competitive wages but also robust benefits. Networking within local healthcare circles and pursuing additional certifications can also enhance one's marketability and potential pay in the Jacksonville area, especially given how much medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Jacksonville can vary widely based on these factors.
More salary data for Jacksonville, 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 $52,640 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Jacksonville 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