Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Richmond, VA: $67,532 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Richmond, VA earns a median $67,532/year (≈ $32.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.9), that paycheck buys what $69,010 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Richmond, Virginia, will earn a median annual salary of $67,532, which is slightly below the national median of $68,734. The projected salary range reflects a wide variance, with starting salaries at approximately $45,873 (P10) and top earners reaching about $104,471 (P90). This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected forward, highlights the stronger local market compared to many other regions, particularly considering Richmond's cost of living index of 97.858, which is below the national average of 100. With a solid annual growth rate of 3.04%, the job outlook for this profession remains positive in Richmond, suggesting ample opportunity for those entering the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,873 | $22.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,142 | $25.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,532 | $32.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,504 | $41.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,471 | $50.23 |
Median Salary Position
1.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, VA, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,598 (2026 est.). At $67,532, the local median is 1.75% below the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richmond Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Richmond median: $67,532/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $65,186 | +3.60% more |
| National Average | $68,734 | -1.75% less |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Richmond, VA earn a median of $67,532 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.75% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 3.60% above the Virginia state average of $65,186.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond has a cost of living 2.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richmond, VA has a cost-of-living index of 97.858 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $67,532 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,010 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,320
2025 BLS Actual
$65,540
2026 Current Est.
$67,532
2019–2027 Growth
+28.1%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,532 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,585 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 20.7% from $54,320 (2019) to $65,540 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,585 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,265 (28.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $45,873 – $52,142 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,142 – $67,532 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,532 – $86,504 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,504 – $104,471 |
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 Richmond
Employers in Richmond are actively seeking medical and clinical laboratory technologists, and opportunities are diverse across various healthcare settings. Major hospitals and large healthcare organizations tend to offer higher salaries compared to smaller private practices and community health centers. This dynamic is further influenced by factors such as specialty credentials, shift differentials, and the benefits structure of each employer, which can substantially impact total compensation. Richmond’s relatively lower cost of living enhances the purchasing power of salaries, making positions even more appealing. For those navigating career advancement, focusing on obtaining specialized certifications and pursuing roles within larger healthcare systems are effective strategies to maximize pay in the Richmond VA area.
More salary data for Richmond, VA:
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 $65,540 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Richmond 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