Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Tennessee: $67,836 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay sits at $67,836/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2010. Because Tennessee sits at BEA RPP 91.8 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $73,895 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Nashville ($68,964), Franklin ($68,134), Memphis ($67,840).
The average median salary for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Tennessee for 2026 is projected at $67,835, which is slightly below the national median of $68,734, reflecting a -1.3% difference. Salary ranges across the state, with Nashville offering the highest average at $71,061, while Johnson City has the lowest at $55,703, resulting in a salary gap of $15,358. This difference can be attributed to the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and local economic conditions. In Tennessee, medical and clinical laboratory technologists must meet specific licensing requirements, which include the successful completion of an accredited program and passing a national certification examination. The state's growing healthcare sector is driving demand, with an annual compound growth rate of 3.04% expected, making it a favorable job market for professionals in this field. Top cities for employment and salary include Franklin at $70,205, Memphis at $69,902, Murfreesboro at $69,801, and Jackson at $68,176. The continuous development of hospitals and clinics across various metro areas suggests that opportunities will remain strong, further supporting the need for skilled laboratory technologists in Tennessee.
Tennessee Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $36,414 (lowest entry-level) to $108,818 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn 1.31% less than the national median ($-898/year difference).
Tennessee Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist salaries in Tennessee range from $42,103 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $99,560 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $67,836. The Tennessee median is $898 below the US national median of $68,734. The average hourly rate is $32.62/hr. Approximately 8,072 medical and clinical laboratory technologists are employed across 30 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,049
2025 BLS Actual
$65,834
2026 Current Est.
$67,836
2019–2027 Growth
+31.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Tennessee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,049 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,566 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,847 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,273 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,593 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,304 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,834 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,836 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,898 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 24.1% from $53,049 (2019) to $65,834 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,898 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,849 (31.76%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tennessee 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Tennessee
Lowest Paying Cities in Tennessee
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Johnson City | $55,703 |
| Tullahoma | $59,803 |
| Sevierville | $61,107 |
| Maryville | $61,460 |
| Cookeville | $61,500 |
Best Value Cities for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for medical and clinical laboratory technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | $68,176 | 85.522 | $79,717 |
| Franklin | $70,205 | 91.8 | $76,476 |
| Murfreesboro | $69,801 | 91.8 | $76,036 |
| Memphis | $69,902 | 92.179 | $75,833 |
| Kingsport | $64,954 | 86.447 | $75,137 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $42,103 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $67,836 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $99,560 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Tennessee metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 30 Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $71,061 |
| 2 | Franklin | $70,205 |
| 3 | Memphis | $69,902 |
| 4 | Murfreesboro | $69,801 |
| 5 | Jackson | $68,176 |
| 6 | Clarksville | $67,259 |
| 7 | Smyrna | $65,424 |
| 8 | Bartlett | $65,096 |
| 9 | Kingsport | $64,954 |
| 10 | Collierville | $64,870 |
| 11 | Morristown | $64,496 |
| 12 | Spring Hill | $64,373 |
| 13 | Knoxville | $64,059 |
| 14 | Cleveland | $63,611 |
| 15 | Lebanon | $63,510 |
| 16 | Oak Ridge | $63,505 |
| 17 | Chattanooga | $63,425 |
| 18 | Columbia | $63,078 |
| 19 | Germantown | $62,998 |
| 20 | Hendersonville | $62,871 |
| 21 | Gallatin | $62,762 |
| 22 | Brentwood | $62,435 |
| 23 | Shelbyville | $61,950 |
| 24 | Mount Juliet | $61,948 |
| 25 | La Vergne | $61,817 |
| 26 | Cookeville | $61,500 |
| 27 | Maryville | $61,460 |
| 28 | Sevierville | $61,107 |
| 29 | Tullahoma | $59,803 |
| 30 | Johnson City | $55,703 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical and clinical laboratory technologist hourly pay in Tennessee cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new medical and clinical laboratory technologists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.
Compare Cities in Tennessee
View all comparisons →Explore More Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in Tennessee?
How many medical and clinical laboratory technologists are employed in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee city offers the best value for medical and clinical laboratory technologists?
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
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 Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 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