Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Cookeville, TN: $61,500 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Cookeville, TN earns a median $61,500/year (≈ $29.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Cookeville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $66,993 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cookeville, Tennessee, the projected median annual salary for medical and clinical laboratory technologists is $61,500 in 2026, which is approximately 10.52% lower than the national median of $68,734. The salary range for this profession in the area spans from $39,896 at the 10th percentile to $94,737 at the 90th percentile, revealing a significant disparity within the local job market. While these figures are based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, they reflect the specific regional cost adjustments, including a cost-of-living index of 91.8, which indicates that living expenses in Cookeville are below the national average. This salary context signals both challenges and opportunities for current and aspiring laboratory technologists as they navigate their career paths in Cookeville’s healthcare sector.
About the Cookeville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,896 | $19.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,327 | $22.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,500 | $29.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,242 | $37.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,737 | $45.54 |
Median Salary Position
10.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cookeville
In Cookeville, TN, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,841 (2026 est.). At $61,500, the local median is 10.52% below the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cookeville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cookeville Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Cookeville median: $61,500/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cookeville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $64,737 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $68,734 | -10.52% less |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Cookeville, TN earn a median of $61,500 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.52% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 5.00% below the Tennessee state average of $64,737.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cookeville has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cookeville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $61,500 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,993 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,382
2025 BLS Actual
$59,686
2026 Current Est.
$61,500
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Cookeville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,382 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,387 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,422 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,647 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,080 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,686 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,500 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,370 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cookeville metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 18.5% from $50,382 (2019) to $59,686 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,370 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,988 (25.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cookeville 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) | $39,896 – $47,327 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,327 – $61,500 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,500 – $78,242 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,242 – $94,737 |
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 Cookeville
Despite the projected salaries, the job market in Cookeville is relatively narrow, with only seven medical and clinical laboratory technologists currently employed in the area. The lower cost of living can enhance take-home purchasing power, making positions in private practices, large healthcare organizations, and specialty clinics more appealing. The variation in medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in Cookeville, TN, can be largely attributed to factors such as shift differentials and specialized credentials. Commonly, large healthcare facilities may offer more competitive compensation packages compared to smaller community health centers. To maximize earning potential in this market, professionals should consider acquiring advanced certifications or seeking opportunities in higher-paying employer types. Additionally, networking within local healthcare communities and staying informed of job openings can give candidates a significant advantage in a market marked by its small size and distinct employer dynamics.
More salary data for Cookeville, TN:
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 $59,686 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Cookeville 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 Cookeville 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