Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in La Crosse, WI: $63,600 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in La Crosse, WI earns a median $63,600/year (≈ $30.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in La Crosse's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $69,304 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.6% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist in La Crosse, WI can expect a median annual salary of $63,600, which reflects a cost-of-living adjusted purchasing power that is somewhat lower than the national average of $68,734. The salary for these professionals ranges broadly, from approximately $41,111 at the 10th percentile to $108,327 at the 90th percentile, based on official BLS OEWS surveys. These figures indicate a diverse job market for laboratory technologists in La Crosse, highlighting the potential for competitive salaries, especially within larger healthcare organizations and specialized clinics that often offer additional incentives.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,111 | $19.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,969 | $24.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,600 | $30.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,075 | $39.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,327 | $52.08 |
Median Salary Position
7.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Crosse
In La Crosse, WI, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,216 (2026 est.). At $63,600, the local median is 7.47% below the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in La Crosse: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How La Crosse Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
La Crosse median: $63,600/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Crosse Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $67,373 | -5.60% less |
| National Average | $68,734 | -7.47% less |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in La Crosse, WI earn a median of $63,600 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.47% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 5.60% below the Wisconsin state average of $67,373.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
La Crosse has a cost of living 8.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
La Crosse, WI has a cost-of-living index of 91.769 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $63,600 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,304 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,910
2025 BLS Actual
$61,724
2026 Current Est.
$63,600
2019–2027 Growth
+23.9%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in La Crosse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,810 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,615 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,724 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,600 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,534 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Crosse metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 16.7% from $52,910 (2019) to $61,724 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,534 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,624 (23.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Crosse 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) | $41,111 – $49,969 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,969 – $63,600 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,600 – $83,075 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,075 – $108,327 |
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 La Crosse
The local job market is supported by around 250 medical and clinical laboratory technologists who are currently employed in the La Crosse area, creating a dynamic environment for professionals in this field. Given the cost of living index of 91.769, which is below the national average, the purchasing power of these salaries can be quite favorable. Employers such as large healthcare organizations typically offer higher wages compared to private practices and community health centers, particularly for candidates with specialty credentials and shift differentials. To maximize pay, laboratory technologists should focus on securing positions with larger healthcare facilities, pursuing additional certifications, and negotiating benefits packages, as those factors can significantly influence overall compensation in La Crosse.
More salary data for La Crosse, WI:
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 $61,724 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the La Crosse 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, 6-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