Clinical Laboratory Scientist salary: how much does a clinical laboratory scientist make?
A clinical laboratory scientist in the US earns a median of $62,930 a year, about $30.26 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,910 and the top 10% earn over $100,990. Pay depends heavily on the state: the top-paying state, New York, has a median of $97,280.
Clinical Laboratory Scientist pay calculator
Gross pay before taxes. If you enter your own hourly rate, it replaces the BLS figure. Otherwise hourly rate = BLS annual figure ÷ 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the same convention BLS uses.
How much does a clinical laboratory scientist make an hour?
The median clinical laboratory scientist earns $30.26 an hour. Hourly pay ranges from about $18.71 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48.55 for the highest-paid 10%.
| Pay level | Per year | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (bottom 10%) | $38,910 | $18.71 |
| Lower 25% | $47,650 | $22.91 |
| Median (typical) | $62,930 | $30.26 |
| Upper 25% | $81,450 | $39.16 |
| Top 10% | $100,990 | $48.55 |
Clinical Laboratory Scientist salary by state
Median annual pay for clinical laboratory scientists by state, from BLS May 2025 data.
| State | Median per year | ≈ Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $49,440 | $23.77 |
| Alaska | $60,950 | $29.30 |
| Arizona | $62,530 | $30.06 |
| Arkansas | $49,670 | $23.88 |
| California | $76,010 | $36.54 |
| Colorado | $70,050 | $33.68 |
| Connecticut | $65,310 | $31.40 |
| Delaware | $68,630 | $33.00 |
| District of Columbia | $76,560 | $36.81 |
| Florida | $60,510 | $29.09 |
| Georgia | $62,180 | $29.89 |
| Hawaii | $66,020 | $31.74 |
| Idaho | $47,450 | $22.81 |
| Illinois | $71,950 | $34.59 |
| Indiana | $57,080 | $27.44 |
| Iowa | $54,260 | $26.09 |
| Kansas | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Kentucky | $60,880 | $29.27 |
| Louisiana | $54,460 | $26.18 |
| Maine | $68,690 | $33.02 |
| Maryland | $63,690 | $30.62 |
| Massachusetts | $79,120 | $38.04 |
| Michigan | $61,260 | $29.45 |
| Minnesota | $74,440 | $35.79 |
| Mississippi | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| Missouri | $60,300 | $28.99 |
| Montana | $65,190 | $31.34 |
| Nebraska | $60,540 | $29.11 |
| Nevada | $57,320 | $27.56 |
| New Hampshire | $81,020 | $38.95 |
| New Jersey | $68,450 | $32.91 |
| New Mexico | $47,360 | $22.77 |
| New York | $97,280 | $46.77 |
| North Carolina | $60,650 | $29.16 |
| North Dakota | $62,680 | $30.13 |
| Ohio | $63,800 | $30.67 |
| Oklahoma | $53,300 | $25.62 |
| Oregon | $83,010 | $39.91 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,680 | $24.85 |
| Rhode Island | $75,780 | $36.43 |
| South Carolina | $55,280 | $26.58 |
| South Dakota | $60,890 | $29.27 |
| Tennessee | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Texas | $59,290 | $28.50 |
| Utah | $49,090 | $23.60 |
| Vermont | $78,680 | $37.83 |
| Virginia | $61,050 | $29.35 |
| Washington | $72,760 | $34.98 |
| West Virginia | $61,810 | $29.72 |
| Wisconsin | $60,670 | $29.17 |
| Wyoming | $65,510 | $31.50 |
Highest-paying states for clinical laboratory scientists
- New York: $97,280 median
- Oregon: $83,010 median
- New Hampshire: $81,020 median
- Massachusetts: $79,120 median
- Vermont: $78,680 median
The lowest published medians are in New Mexico ($47,360), Idaho ($47,450), Utah ($49,090), Alabama ($49,440), Arkansas ($49,670). The most clinical laboratory scientist jobs are in Texas (29,530 jobs), California (29,210 jobs), Florida (25,790 jobs), New York (16,460 jobs), North Carolina (13,710 jobs).
How much does a clinical laboratory scientist make a month?
At the median salary of $62,930, a clinical laboratory scientist earns about $5,244 a month, $2,420 every two weeks or $1,210 a week, before taxes.
Entry-level vs. experienced clinical laboratory scientist pay
New clinical laboratory scientists typically start near the bottom of the range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,910 a year and the lowest 25% under $47,650. The top 25% earn over $81,450 and the top 10% over $100,990. BLS does not break pay down by years of experience; these percentiles are the closest official measure.
Clinical Laboratory Scientist salary vs. similar jobs
| Job | Median per year |
|---|---|
| Clinical laboratory scientist | $62,930 |
| Medical assistant | $45,690 |
| Surgical tech | $64,650 |
| Radiology tech | $80,110 |
| Ultrasound tech | $96,590 |
| Phlebotomist | $45,230 |
| Pharmacist | $140,910 |
Medical lab scientist salary
A medical lab scientist (MLS) is the same role as a clinical laboratory scientist. BLS reports it with lab technicians: median $62,930 a year, $30.26 an hour, May 2025.
Medical laboratory scientist salary
Because BLS combines scientists (usually bachelor's degree) with technicians (usually associate degree), MLS pay is typically in the upper part of the range: the top 25% earn over $81,450 and the top 10% over $100,990.
Clinical Laboratory Scientist take-home pay by state (2026)
2026 federal brackets and standard deduction, Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% plus 0.9% above $200,000 ($250,000 joint), and each state's 2026 income tax. Local income taxes, state disability or paid-leave payroll taxes and other deductions are not included. Estimate only, not tax advice.
Common questions
How much does a clinical laboratory scientist make?
The US median is $62,930 a year ($30.26 an hour), based on BLS May 2025 data.
How much does a clinical laboratory scientist make an hour?
The median is about $30.26 an hour. The bottom 10% earn about $18.71 and the top 10% about $48.55 an hour.
Which state pays clinical laboratory scientists the most?
New York has the highest median at $97,280, followed by Oregon ($83,010) and New Hampshire ($81,020).
How much does a clinical laboratory scientist make a month?
At the US median of $62,930 a year, about $5,244 a month or $2,420 every two weeks, before taxes.
How much does an entry-level clinical laboratory scientist make?
The lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,910 a year and the lowest 25% under $47,650, the closest official measure of starting pay.
How much do the top 10% of clinical laboratory scientists make?
The top 10% earn over $100,990 a year; the top 25% earn over $81,450.
How much does a clinical laboratory scientist make in California, Texas, Florida and New York?
Median annual pay is $76,010 in California, $59,290 in Texas, $60,510 in Florida, $97,280 in New York, per BLS May 2025 data.
Last reviewed October 31, 2026. All figures are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 survey (occupation code 29-2010, “Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians”), the most recent official release; “median” means half earn more and half earn less. Figures are gross pay before taxes and benefits. See the BLS OEWS tables and the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. This page is general information, not career or financial advice.