Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Charleston, WV: $68,788 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Charleston, WV earns a median $68,788/year (≈ $33.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Charleston's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.7), that paycheck buys what $77,536 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% above the West Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charleston, West Virginia, medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn a median annual salary of $68,788, which is slightly above the national median of $68,734. The salary range for this role in the city spans from $43,295 at the 10th percentile to $91,321 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the varying compensation levels within the field. These insights are derived from data based on 2025 BLS OEWS findings, projected to 2026. This competitive pay reflects Charleston’s economic environment and demand for skilled technologists, showcasing a healthy job market for those in the profession.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,295 | $20.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,952 | $24.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,788 | $33.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,906 | $35.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,321 | $43.91 |
Median Salary Position
0.08% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charleston
In Charleston, WV, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,026 (2026 est.). At $68,788, the local median is 0.08% above the national median of $68,734.
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At 40 hours/week in Charleston: You'd be above the median
How Charleston Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Charleston median: $68,788/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $67,374 | +2.10% more |
| National Average | $68,734 | +0.08% more |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Charleston, WV earn a median of $68,788 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.08% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 2.10% above the West Virginia state average of $67,374.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charleston has a cost of living 11.28% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charleston, WV has a cost-of-living index of 88.717 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $68,788 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,536 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,100
2025 BLS Actual
$66,759
2026 Current Est.
$68,788
2019–2027 Growth
+50.5%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,710 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,759 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,788 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,880 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charleston metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 41.7% from $47,100 (2019) to $66,759 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,880 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,780 (50.49%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charleston 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) | $43,295 – $50,952 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,952 – $68,788 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,788 – $72,906 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,906 – $91,321 |
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 Charleston
With approximately 310 medical and clinical laboratory technologists employed in the Charleston area, the job market is relatively stable. The cost of living index in Charleston stands at 88.717, which is below the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of technologists despite the median salary figures. Large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics tend to offer the highest compensation, reflecting both their scale and resources. The difference in pay can also stem from factors such as shift differentials for night or weekend work, specialized credentials that enhance a technologist's skill set, and the benefits packages offered by employers. For those looking to maximize their medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in Charleston, pursuing additional certifications or seeking positions in high-paying sectors are effective strategies to increase financial outcomes.
More salary data for Charleston, WV:
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 $66,759 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Charleston 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