Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Virginia: $62,898 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Virginia's 42 metropolitan areas, the average median medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay sits at $62,898/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2010. Because Virginia sits at BEA RPP 103.2 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $60,948 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Alexandria ($73,889), Charlottesville ($70,702), Richmond ($65,540).
In Virginia, the average median salary for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in 2026 is projected to be $62,898, which is approximately 8.5% lower than the national median of $68,734. This means that while there are opportunities in the state, they may not pay as highly as those in other parts of the country. The highest paying city is Alexandria, offering an average salary of $76,135, while the lowest is Staunton at $49,630. This significant salary difference of $26,505 can be attributed to factors such as local demand for laboratory services, the presence of healthcare facilities, and cost of living variances among these cities. Virginia requires medical laboratory technologists to be licensed, which involves meeting educational and certification standards. This can impact the supply of qualified candidates, affecting salaries and job availability. The projected annual growth rate for this profession in Virginia is 3.04%, indicating a steady demand for laboratory professionals. With a total employment figure of 2,961 in the state, cities like Charlottesville ($72,851), Richmond ($67,532), Radford ($67,269), and Winchester ($66,582) also provide competitive salaries, enhancing the overall job market outlook for aspiring technologists in Virginia.
Virginia Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Virginia: $37,432 (lowest entry-level) to $118,010 (highest top earner)
Virginia vs National Average
Virginia medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn 8.49% less than the national median ($-5,836/year difference).
Virginia Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist salaries in Virginia range from $41,744 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $91,554 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $62,898. The Virginia median is $5,836 below the US national median of $68,734. The average hourly rate is $30.24/hr. Approximately 2,961 medical and clinical laboratory technologists are employed across 42 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,163
2025 BLS Actual
$61,042
2026 Current Est.
$62,898
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,163 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,039 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,504 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,041 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,143 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,460 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,042 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,898 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,810 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 17.0% from $52,163 (2019) to $61,042 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,810 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,647 (24.25%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia 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 Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Staunton | $49,630 |
| Roanoke | $53,388 |
| Lynchburg | $59,362 |
| Falls Church | $60,119 |
| Herndon | $61,075 |
Best Value Cities for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for medical and clinical laboratory technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $76,135 | 103.2 | $73,774 |
| Charlottesville | $72,851 | 99.146 | $73,479 |
| Blacksburg | $66,113 | 92.71 | $71,312 |
| Winchester | $66,582 | 96.45 | $69,033 |
| Richmond | $67,532 | 97.858 | $69,010 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $41,744 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $62,898 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $91,554 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 42 Cities in Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandria | $76,135 |
| 2 | Charlottesville | $72,851 |
| 3 | Richmond | $67,532 |
| 4 | Radford | $67,269 |
| 5 | Winchester | $66,582 |
| 6 | Bristol | $66,448 |
| 7 | Blacksburg | $66,113 |
| 8 | Newport News | $65,708 |
| 9 | Norfolk | $65,248 |
| 10 | Hampton | $65,128 |
| 11 | Centreville | $64,825 |
| 12 | Chesapeake | $64,538 |
| 13 | Burke | $64,386 |
| 14 | Virginia Beach | $64,289 |
| 15 | Harrisonburg | $64,252 |
| 16 | Suffolk | $64,107 |
| 17 | Tuckahoe | $63,925 |
| 18 | Ashburn | $63,833 |
| 19 | McLean | $63,829 |
| 20 | Reston | $63,761 |
| 21 | Danville | $63,748 |
| 22 | Fredericksburg | $63,475 |
| 23 | Dale City | $63,461 |
| 24 | Manassas | $63,394 |
| 25 | Salem | $63,217 |
| 26 | Leesburg | $63,126 |
| 27 | Portsmouth | $63,089 |
| 28 | Mechanicsville | $62,989 |
| 29 | Springfield | $62,767 |
| 30 | Woodbridge | $62,680 |
| 31 | Sterling | $62,559 |
| 32 | Lake Ridge | $62,478 |
| 33 | Linton Hall | $62,407 |
| 34 | Fairfax | $62,247 |
| 35 | Waynesboro | $61,944 |
| 36 | Annandale | $61,861 |
| 37 | Williamsburg | $61,743 |
| 38 | Herndon | $61,075 |
| 39 | Falls Church | $60,119 |
| 40 | Lynchburg | $59,362 |
| 41 | Roanoke | $53,388 |
| 42 | Staunton | $49,630 |
More Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical and clinical laboratory technologist hourly pay in Virginia cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new medical and clinical laboratory technologists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.
Explore More Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Virginia?
How does Virginia medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in Virginia?
How many medical and clinical laboratory technologists are employed in Virginia?
Which Virginia 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 Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 42 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