Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Wilmington, NC: $63,470 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Wilmington, NC earns a median $63,470/year (≈ $30.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $65,825 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wilmington, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for medical and clinical laboratory technologists is $63,470 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $68,734. The salary range in this market varies significantly, with 10% earning as little as $42,575 while the top earners can make up to $89,486. According to data based on 2025 BLS OEWS projections, the market comprises around 400 professionals in this field, indicating a moderate level of employment saturation that can influence salary negotiations. With salaries skewing lower than the national figures, it's essential for professionals in Wilmington to understand the local employment landscape and what factors contribute to this discrepancy.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,575 | $20.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,849 | $23.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,470 | $30.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,184 | $40.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,486 | $43.02 |
Median Salary Position
7.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, NC, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,911 (2026 est.). At $63,470, the local median is 7.66% below the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilmington Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $63,470/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $64,371 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $68,734 | -7.66% less |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $63,470 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.66% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 1.40% below the North Carolina state average of $64,371.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 3.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.422 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $63,470 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,825 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.71% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,370
2025 BLS Actual
$61,597
2026 Current Est.
$63,470
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,950 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,597 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,470 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,399 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 22.3% from $50,370 (2019) to $61,597 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,399 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,029 (29.84%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $42,575 – $49,849 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,849 – $63,470 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,470 – $83,184 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,184 – $89,486 |
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 Wilmington
The local job market for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Wilmington offers a competitive environment, particularly in light of the area's cost of living index standing at 96.422, suggesting that living expenses are manageable compared to the national average. Employers such as large healthcare organizations tend to offer higher salaries in this field, with benefits that can significantly impact total compensation. Factors driving the pay range include work shift differentials, additional specialty certifications, and overall employer stature. For those seeking to maximize their medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in Wilmington, NC, pursuing advanced credentials and gaining experience in high-demand specialties may prove beneficial. Additionally, networking within the active healthcare community can uncover opportunities that may not be widely advertised, further enhancing earning potential.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Wilmington, NC in 2026?
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Can medical and clinical laboratory technologists make $100K in Wilmington?
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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 $61,597 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Wilmington 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