Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Rapid City, SD: $51,596 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Rapid City, SD earns a median $51,596/year (≈ $24.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Rapid City's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.2), that paycheck buys what $57,869 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 23.7% below the South Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rapid City, South Dakota, the anticipated salary for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in 2026 stands at $51,596 annually, which is significantly lower than the national median of $68,734 for the same year. This local salary range spans from $41,013 at the 10th percentile to $92,413 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse compensation levels based on experience and specific job roles. The employment count for this profession in the area is approximately 230, suggesting a relatively moderate market saturation. Given this workforce size, Rapid City offers promising opportunities for those qualified, particularly as demand continues to grow due to a projected annual increase of 3.04% in job openings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,013 | $19.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,013 | $19.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,596 | $24.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,538 | $40.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,413 | $44.43 |
Median Salary Position
24.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rapid City
In Rapid City, SD, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,400 (2026 est.). At $51,596, the local median is 24.93% below the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rapid City: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Rapid City Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Rapid City median: $51,596/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rapid City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $67,623 | -23.70% less |
| National Average | $68,734 | -24.93% less |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Rapid City, SD earn a median of $51,596 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.93% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 23.70% below the South Dakota state average of $67,623.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rapid City has a cost of living 10.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rapid City, SD has a cost-of-living index of 89.16 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $51,596 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,869 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,760
2025 BLS Actual
$50,074
2026 Current Est.
$51,596
2019–2027 Growth
+16.2%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Rapid City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,810 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,074 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,596 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,165 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rapid City metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 9.4% from $45,760 (2019) to $50,074 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,165 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,405 (16.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rapid City 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) | $41,013 – $41,013 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,013 – $51,596 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,596 – $84,538 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,538 – $92,413 |
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 Rapid City
Examining the specifics of the local employment landscape reveals that the 230 medical and clinical laboratory technologists working in Rapid City benefit from a cost of living index of 89.16, which is below the national average; this adds to their purchasing power in the region. Highest-paying positions are typically found within large healthcare organizations or specialized clinics, where incentives such as shift differentials and advanced certifications can drive pay higher. Those seeking to maximize their pay should consider obtaining specialty credentials, as these can lead to roles with enhanced responsibilities and compensation. Additionally, forming connections with potential employers and understanding which local entities offer the best salary packages can provide significant advantages in negotiating offers and benefit structures.
More salary data for Rapid City, SD:
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 $50,074 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Rapid City 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