Med Lab Scientist Salary

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in North Dakota: $66,672 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across North Dakota's 8 metropolitan areas, the average median medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay sits at $66,672/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2010. Because North Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.0 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $72,470 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bismarck ($66,886), Fargo ($66,080), Grand Forks ($65,529).

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in North Dakota - 2025 BLS Data Infographic
North Dakota medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary overview (2026)
$66,672
Avg Median Salary
$32.06
Avg Hourly Rate
1,197
Metro Employed
8
Cities

In North Dakota, medical and clinical laboratory technologists can expect an average median salary of $66,672 in 2026, which is about 3.0% lower than the national median of $68,734. The highest salaries in the state are found in Bismarck, where technologists earn $68,919, while the lowest are in Minot at $53,628. This $15,291 salary gap is primarily influenced by factors such as local cost of living, healthcare demand, and the presence of medical facilities. North Dakota has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that technologists must navigate. As the state continues to see a growth rate of 3.04% in this field, driven by an aging population and a need for advanced medical services, the demand for skilled professionals remains strong. Cities like Fargo and Grand Forks also offer competitive salaries at $68,089 and $67,521, respectively, reflecting their larger healthcare markets. Overall, with a total of 1,197 employed medical and clinical laboratory technologists, the job outlook in North Dakota appears promising as it aligns with national trends, making it a viable option for those considering this career path in the region.

North Dakota Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)
$39,371
avg across 8 cities
Median
$66,672
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$90,235
avg across 8 cities

Overall salary range in North Dakota: $35,661 (lowest entry-level) to $102,104 (highest top earner)

North Dakota vs National Average

North Dakota
$66,672
National Median
$68,734

North Dakota medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn 3% less than the national median ($-2,062/year difference).

North Dakota Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)

Vertical bar chart showing North Dakota medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary percentiles: 10th percentile $39,371, 25th $50,719, Median $66,672, 75th $82,406, 90th $90,235. US national median is $68,734.$25.3K$50.5K$75.8K$101.1K$39.4K10thEntry Level$50.7K25thEarly Career$66.7KMedianMid Career$82.4K75thExperienced$90.2K90thTop EarnerUS Median $68.7K

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist salaries in North Dakota range from $39,371 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $90,235 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $66,672. The North Dakota median is $2,062 below the US national median of $68,734. The average hourly rate is $32.06/hr. Approximately 1,197 medical and clinical laboratory technologists are employed across 8 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$46,141

2025 BLS Actual

$64,705

2026 Current Est.

$66,672

2019–2027 Growth

+48.9%

Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in North Dakota (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in North Dakota. Baseline $46,141 in 2025, projected to $68,699 by 2027.$41.6K$49.5K$57.4K$65.3K$73.2K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$46.1K$49.5K$48.0K$57.4K$59.3K$61.0K$64.7K$66.7K$68.7K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$46,141Actual
2020$49,450Actual
2021$47,959Actual
2022$57,384Actual
2023$59,306Actual
2024$61,010Actual
2025$64,705Actual
2026(current)$66,672Estimated
2027$68,699Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Dakota metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 40.2% from $46,141 (2019) to $64,705 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,699 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,558 (48.89%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Dakota metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Dakota

#1
Bismarck
290 employed · $33.14/hr
$68,919
+3.37% vs avg
#2
Fargo
570 employed · $32.74/hr
$68,089
+2.13% vs avg
#3
Grand Forks
190 employed · $32.46/hr
$67,521
+1.27% vs avg
#4
West Fargo
10 employed · $31.67/hr
$65,873
-1.20% vs avg
#5
Dickinson
4 employed · $31.51/hr
$65,541
-1.70% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in North Dakota

CityMedian Salary
Minot$53,628
Mandan$62,646
Williston$63,959
Dickinson$65,541
West Fargo$65,873

Best Value Cities for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in North Dakota

When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

CityNominal SalaryCoL IndexAdjusted Salary
Grand Forks$67,52186.663$77,912
Bismarck$68,91991.024$75,715
Fargo$68,08990.871$74,929
West Fargo$65,87392$71,601
Dickinson$65,54192$71,240

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in North Dakota

Experience LevelEstimated Annual
Entry Level (0-2 years)$39,371
Mid Career (3-7 years)$66,672
Experienced (7+ years)$90,235

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 8 Cities in North Dakota

#CityMedian Salary
1Bismarck$68,919
2Fargo$68,089
3Grand Forks$67,521
4West Fargo$65,873
5Dickinson$65,541
6Williston$63,959
7Mandan$62,646
8Minot$53,628

More North Dakota Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore medical and clinical laboratory technologist hourly pay in North Dakota cities.

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Explore More Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in North Dakota in 2026?

The average median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in North Dakota is $66,672/year across 8 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $53,628 in Minot to $68,919 in Bismarck. This makes North Dakota 3% below the national median of $68,734. The state employs approximately 1,197 medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

What is the highest paying city for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in North Dakota?

Bismarck offers the highest medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in North Dakota at $68,919/year ($33.14/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Bismarck ($68,919), Fargo ($68,089), Grand Forks ($67,521). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for clinical laboratory science services, and competition among employers for licensed medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

How does North Dakota medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay compare to the national average?

North Dakota's average medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary of $66,672 is 3% below the national median of $68,734 in 2026. The state employs approximately 1,197 medical and clinical laboratory technologists across 8 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in North Dakota?

Entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists (10th percentile) in North Dakota earn approximately $39,371/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $35,661 in lower-paying areas to $43,507 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many medical and clinical laboratory technologists are employed in North Dakota?

North Dakota employs approximately 1,197 medical and clinical laboratory technologists across 8 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. Job availability varies by metro area, with larger cities offering more opportunities. Demand continues to grow as the clinical laboratory science field expands and the population ages.

Which North Dakota city offers the best value for medical and clinical laboratory technologists?

When adjusted for cost of living, Grand Forks offers the highest purchasing power for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in North Dakota, with an adjusted salary of $77,912 (nominal: $67,521, CoL index: 86.663). This means your dollar goes 15% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.
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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.

Clinically reviewed by Jerome Patel, BS, MT(ASCP)Data verified by Fatima Hussain, MS, CLS

Methodology & Data Source

Statewide 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. A 3.04% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation across North Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 8 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical and clinical laboratory technologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.

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

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