Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Portland, OR: $90,666 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Portland, OR earns a median $90,666/year (≈ $43.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Portland's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.4), that paycheck buys what $86,004 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Portland, Oregon, medical and clinical laboratory technologists can expect a median salary of $90,666 in 2026, reflecting a strong purchasing power in the local job market. The salary ranges from $54,240 for the lowest earners to $127,779 for those at the top of the scale, illustrating significant earning potential within the field. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected to 2026, indicating that the compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Portland is approximately 31.91% higher than the national median of $68,734. This competitive pay reflects the vital importance of these professionals in healthcare and the ongoing demand for their services in a growing city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,240 | $26.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,352 | $32.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,666 | $43.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,571 | $53.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,779 | $61.44 |
Median Salary Position
31.91% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, OR, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,539 (2026 est.). At $90,666, the local median is 31.91% above the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be above the median
How Portland Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Portland median: $90,666/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $68,734 | +31.91% more |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Portland, OR earn a median of $90,666 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.91% higher than the national median of $68,734.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 5.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, OR has a cost-of-living index of 105.421 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $90,666 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $86,004 — a 5.14% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,740
2025 BLS Actual
$87,991
2026 Current Est.
$90,666
2019–2027 Growth
+44.3%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,991 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,666 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,422 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 35.9% from $64,740 (2019) to $87,991 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,422 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,682 (44.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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) | $54,240 – $68,352 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,352 – $90,666 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,666 – $111,571 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,571 – $127,779 |
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 Portland
With around 1,540 medical and clinical laboratory technologists currently employed in the Portland area, the local job market demonstrates stability and demand. However, the cost-of-living index of 105.421 suggests that while salaries are above the national average, they need to account for a relatively higher living expense. Among local employers, large healthcare organizations typically offer the most competitive salaries, followed by specialty clinics and community health centers. Variability in pay can emerge from factors such as shift differentials, specialized skills, and comprehensive benefits packages. To maximize earnings in Portland, professionals should consider pursuing additional certifications, seeking employment with larger healthcare systems, and negotiating for higher pay based on their specialized skill sets and experience.
More salary data for Portland, OR:
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 $87,991 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Portland 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