Entry-Level Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Kenosha, WI: $46,954 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical and clinical laboratory technologists entering the Kenosha, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $46,954 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2010, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Kenosha's local price level (BEA RPP 101.1 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $46,435 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($63,819) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the medical and clinical laboratory technologist field in Kenosha, Wisconsin, can expect a starting salary around $46,954 in 2026. This entry-level pay is notably lower than the city’s median annual salary of $63,819, highlighting a significant gap that aspiring professionals will need to navigate. Over the first few years, however, there is a growth pathway from this initial figure as many new technologists can anticipate moving toward a salary range of $56,948 to potentially achieving the median as they gain experience and skills. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.04% for this occupation, Kenosha presents a reasonable market for recent graduates looking to establish their careers in medical and clinical laboratory technology.
Career Earnings Timeline in Kenosha
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 Kenosha
Entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Kenosha, WI typically start between $46,954 and $56,948 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $37,759 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $63,819 — 7.15% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average clinical laboratory science program cost in Wisconsin of $46,000 represents just 97.97% of the starting medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay ($46,954/year) in Kenosha. 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 Kenosha
- 1Research the Kenosha market: entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay ranges from $46,954 to $56,948, 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 Kenosha, 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 Kenosha for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Kenosha's moderate 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 Kenosha is $37,759 ( 80.42%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $46,954, experienced hygienists can earn up to $84,713.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$36,212
2025 BLS Actual
$45,569
2026 Current Est.
$46,954
2019–2027 Growth
+33.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Kenosha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,212 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,832 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,462 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,247 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,063 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,569 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,954 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,382 | Projected |
Entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Kenosha, WI grew 25.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $36,212 in 2019 to $45,569 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $48,382. New graduates entering the Kenosha job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kenosha 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 Kenosha
In Kenosha, major employers such as large hospital systems and corporate group practices often actively recruit new grads for assistant and technician positions, providing structured onboarding programs that help ease the transition from classroom to clinical practice. To enhance their earning potential, new medical and clinical laboratory technologists in WI should consider obtaining state licensure and pursuing optional advanced certifications recognized by the profession’s national body. In the first 1-3 years of their career, it’s realistic for entry-level professionals to expect incremental salary increases that reflect their expanded competencies and credentials. Given the variability in compensation based on the type of employer, geographic market, and range of certifications held, strategic moves into roles that offer not just experience but also continued education opportunities will position individuals for greater pay as they advance in their careers.
More salary data for Kenosha, 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 Kenosha. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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