Entry-Level Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Lee's Summit, MO: $36,554 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical and clinical laboratory technologists entering the Lee's Summit, MO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $36,554 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2010, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lee's Summit's local price level (BEA RPP 89.6 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $40,797 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($58,977) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the field as medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Lee's Summit, Missouri, the starting pay can significantly vary. In 2026, the entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in Lee's Summit is projected at $36,554, which is somewhat lower than the city median of $58,977. This gap indicates the need for freshly minted professionals to hone their skills, with opportunities for salary growth from entry-level positions up to the 25th percentile earning $44,388 as they gain experience. With an annual growth rate of 3.04%, the trajectory over the first few years looks promising, suggesting that the local market is viable for new graduates, allowing for gradual increases in professionalism and salary.
About the Lee's Summit Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lee's Summit
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lee's Summit
Entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Lee's Summit, MO typically start between $36,554 and $44,388 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $54,860 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $58,977 — 14.2% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average clinical laboratory science program cost in Missouri of $42,000 represents just 114.90% of the starting medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay ($36,554/year) in Lee's Summit. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on NAACLS-accredited MLS bachelor's programs and state university tuition data. The role is sometimes called Medical Technologist (MT) or Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS); BLS aggregates these under the broader OCC 29-2010 'Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians' group code, which also covers MLT (associate-degree technicians, OCC 29-2012). National data and state-level wages reflect the combined group, since the 2024 BLS national OEWS file does not separately publish 29-2011 (Technologists) and 29-2012 (Technicians) at the national level.
MLS Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Lee's Summit
- 1Research the Lee's Summit market: entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay ranges from $36,554 to $44,388, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the clinical laboratory science field — employers in MO often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Lee's Summit, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Lee's Summit for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lee's Summit's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Compensation Range
The medical and clinical laboratory technologist wage spread in Lee's Summit is $54,860 ( 150.08%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $36,554, experienced hygienists can earn up to $91,414.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$28,191
2025 BLS Actual
$35,476
2026 Current Est.
$36,554
2019–2027 Growth
+33.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Lee's Summit (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,191 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,674 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,608 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,112 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,525 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,007 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,476 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,554 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37,666 | Projected |
Entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Lee's Summit, MO grew 25.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $28,191 in 2019 to $35,476 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $37,666. New graduates entering the Lee's Summit job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lee's Summit 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.
Starting Your clinical laboratory science Career in Lee's Summit
Employers in Lee's Summit actively seek out new talent in this profession, particularly large hospital systems and corporate group practices that offer structured onboarding programs for graduates. Pursuing state licensure and optional advanced certifications can give candidates a competitive advantage, elevating their starting medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in MO. The first three years in this field may witness substantial variation in compensation, influenced by the type of employer and geographic market. New professionals can realistically expect to see their salaries improve as they build experience and credentials, making strategic choices in their early career that can enhance their earning potential over time. Salary progression is achievable and promising with diligent efforts in professional development and networking in this growing sector.
More salary data for Lee's Summit, MO:
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new clinical laboratory science graduates. A 3.04% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Lee's Summit. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lee's Summit is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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