Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Nashville, TN: $71,061 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Nashville, TN earns a median $71,061/year (≈ $34.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Nashville's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.3), that paycheck buys what $73,762 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.8% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Nashville, TN, offers a competitive environment for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, with a median annual salary of $71,061 projected for 2026. This figure illustrates a notable gap above the state average. The salary range in the area spans from $43,164 to $106,143, indicating significant opportunities for advancement and earning potential. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting how Nashville's job market is positioning itself favorably compared to national trends, where the median salary stands at $68,734. The city's growing healthcare sector is likely to maintain this upward trajectory.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,164 | $20.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,683 | $25.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,061 | $34.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,031 | $44.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,143 | $51.03 |
Median Salary Position
3.39% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nashville
In Nashville, TN, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,979 (2026 est.). At $71,061, the local median is 3.39% above the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nashville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Nashville Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Nashville median: $71,061/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nashville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $64,718 | +9.80% more |
| National Average | $68,734 | +3.39% more |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Nashville, TN earn a median of $71,061 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.39% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 9.80% above the Tennessee state average of $64,718.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nashville has a cost of living 3.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Nashville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 96.338 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $71,061 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,762 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.8% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,610
2025 BLS Actual
$68,964
2026 Current Est.
$71,061
2019–2027 Growth
+36.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Nashville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,610 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,610 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,660 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,964 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,061 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,221 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nashville metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 28.6% from $53,610 (2019) to $68,964 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,221 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,611 (36.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nashville 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) | $43,164 – $53,683 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,683 – $71,061 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,061 – $92,031 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,031 – $106,143 |
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 Nashville
With approximately 3,050 medical and clinical laboratory technologists currently employed in Nashville, the local job market is robust, enabling professionals to find diverse opportunities. The cost of living index for Nashville is 96.338, which provides a favorable backdrop for wages, enhancing overall purchasing power. Large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics tend to offer the highest salaries, creating competition that influences pay scales across the sector. Factors contributing to the wide range of salaries include shift differentials, specialty certifications, and the size of the employer. To maximize earnings, professionals should consider acquiring advanced credentials, seeking employment with larger institutions, or negotiating for better benefits packages, since these elements can significantly influence compensation in Nashville.
More salary data for Nashville, 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 $68,964 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Nashville 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