Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Chester, PA: $55,024 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Chester, PA earns a median $55,024/year (≈ $26.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Chester's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $56,493 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chester, Pennsylvania, the median annual salary for medical and clinical laboratory technologists is projected to reach $55,024 in 2026. This figure is significantly below the national median of $68,734, illustrating a gap that potential job seekers should consider. The salary range for this profession spans from $37,206 at the 10th percentile to $83,284 at the 90th percentile, indicating a marked variance in earnings based on experience, specialization, and employer. These estimates reflect local adjustments from 2025 BLS data, offering a glimpse into the regional economic landscape. With the expected growth rate of 3.04% for this field, opportunities for advancement remain promising despite the initial salary challenges.
About the Chester Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,206 | $17.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,459 | $20.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,024 | $26.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,937 | $33.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,284 | $40.04 |
Median Salary Position
19.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chester
In Chester, PA, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,078 (2026 est.). At $55,024, the local median is 19.95% below the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chester Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Chester median: $55,024/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $56,961 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $68,734 | -19.95% less |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Chester, PA earn a median of $55,024 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.95% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 3.40% below the Pennsylvania state average of $56,961.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chester has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chester, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $55,024 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,493 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,076
2025 BLS Actual
$53,401
2026 Current Est.
$55,024
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Chester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,076 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,976 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,048 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,691 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,577 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,883 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,401 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,024 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,697 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chester metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 18.5% from $45,076 (2019) to $53,401 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,697 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,621 (25.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chester 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) | $37,206 – $43,459 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,459 – $55,024 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,024 – $68,937 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,937 – $83,284 |
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 Chester
Looking at the local job market, there are currently five medical and clinical laboratory technologists employed in Chester, PA, which suggests a small but stable presence in this field. The cost-of-living index in Chester is at 97.4, slightly below the national average, which aids in enhancing the purchasing power of technologists in the area. Employment in larger healthcare organizations typically yields higher salaries compared to private practices or community health centers, because these employers might offer enhanced benefits and more robust staffing structures. The variation in pay can be attributed to multiple factors such as shift differentials for those working night or weekend shifts, specialty credentials that require additional training, and the overall size of the employer. To maximize pay, aspiring and current medical and clinical laboratory technologists should pursue relevant certifications and seek positions within larger health systems in Chester that offer more competitive compensation packages.
More salary data for Chester, PA:
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 $53,401 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Chester 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
Salary data for Chester is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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