Entry-Level Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Fond du Lac, WI: $43,732 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical and clinical laboratory technologists entering the Fond du Lac, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $43,732 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2010, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Fond du Lac's local price level (BEA RPP 91.6 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $47,720 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($55,037) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the field of medical and clinical laboratory technology in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, can expect an entry-level salary starting at around $43,732 in 2026. When compared to the overall median annual salary of $55,037 for this profession in Fond du Lac, new grads face a notable gap that they can expect to close as they gain experience and skills. Over the first 3-5 years, technicians can realistically move from entry-level salaries to approximately $50,636, positioning themselves for further advancement. Given Fond du Lac's reasonable living costs, which reflect a cost of living index of 91.643, this market can be particularly favorable for recent graduates seeking to establish their careers in healthcare.
Career Earnings Timeline in Fond du Lac
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 Fond du Lac
Entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Fond du Lac, WI typically start between $43,732 and $50,636 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $44,945 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $55,037 — 19.93% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average clinical laboratory science program cost in Wisconsin of $46,000 represents just 105.19% of the starting medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay ($43,732/year) in Fond du Lac. 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 Fond du Lac
- 1Research the Fond du Lac market: entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay ranges from $43,732 to $50,636, 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 WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Fond du Lac, 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 Fond du Lac for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Fond du Lac'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 Fond du Lac is $44,945 ( 102.77%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $43,732, experienced hygienists can earn up to $88,677.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$36,980
2025 BLS Actual
$42,442
2026 Current Est.
$43,732
2019–2027 Growth
+21.9%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Fond du Lac (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,305 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,029 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,417 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,108 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,113 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,442 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,732 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,062 | Projected |
Entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Fond du Lac, WI grew 14.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $36,980 in 2019 to $42,442 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $45,062. New graduates entering the Fond du Lac job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac
In Fond du Lac, entry-level jobs for medical and clinical laboratory technologists are typically found within large hospital systems and corporate practices, which often provide structured onboarding experiences for new hires. To enhance earning potential, obtaining state licensure and pursuing optional advanced certifications recognized by the national body for this field can position graduates more favorably against their peers. During the first one to three years, it's common for salaries to incrementally increase based on employer type, from corporate environments to clinical settings. Therefore, while new grad medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in WI may start lower than national averages, strategic career choices can lead to significant salary growth as professionals build their experience and credentials in a market that anticipates a 3.04% annual growth rate.
More salary data for Fond du Lac, 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
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 Fond du Lac. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-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