Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay in Great Falls, MT: $31.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working in Great Falls, MT runs $31.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,791 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Weighted against Great Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.8, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,874 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Great Falls, MT, the hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist is projected to be $31.15 in 2026, which falls below the national hourly median of $33.05. This means that part-time professionals who work three days a week could earn approximately $36,000 annually, allowing for a flexible work-life balance. The hourly range for this occupation starts at $20.69 for entry-level positions and goes up to $42.42 for the top earners in the field. These figures reflect the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, illustrating the financial landscape that impacts both full-time and per-diem medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in Great Falls.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.69 | $165.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.63 | $197.01 |
| Median (P50) | $31.15 | $249.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.42 | $339.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.42 | $339.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Great Falls
Based on $31.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.15/hr, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Great Falls, MT can expect to earn approximately $64,790 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,379. With a cost-of-living index of 96.84 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Great Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Great Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,245.96 | $5,399 | $64,790 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $747.58 | $3,239 | $38,874 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $498.38 | $2,160 | $25,916 |
Compare MLS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist (Great Falls) | $31.15 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Cytotechnologist (National Avg) | $40.35 |
| Histotechnologist (National Avg) | $30.58 |
| Microbiologist (National Avg) | $41.56 |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Great Falls, MT earn a median of $64,791 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.74% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 6.70% below the Montana state average of $69,443.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.15/hr = $38,874/year (purchasing power: $40,140).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,790/year (purchasing power: $66,901).
CoL index: 96.845 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.15/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+125.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.46/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.10/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Great Falls grew 112.7% from $14.21/hr (2019) to $30.23/hr (2025). At a 3.04% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.10/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical and clinical laboratory technologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Great Falls 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.
Working as an Hourly Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist in Great Falls
When considering the earning potential in Great Falls, it's essential to weigh the benefits of part-time work versus full-time employment. A medical and clinical laboratory technologist working full-time will typically take home a significantly higher annual salary compared to those who are part-time, but part-time positions allow for lifestyle flexibility. For those seeking per-diem opportunities, these roles often command higher compensation, typically ranging 10-25% above standard hourly rates, making it an appealing option for many. Different employer types also affect pay, as private practices, large healthcare organizations, community health centers, and specialty clinics all have various compensation structures. Some technologists may accept lower hourly rates when health insurance and benefits are factored into their overall compensation; this trade-off is crucial for professionals navigating their career choices in Great Falls. Effective negotiation strategies, such as highlighting specialized skills or flexibility in work schedules, can significantly impact compensation outcomes for hourly workers in the region.
More salary data for Great Falls, MT:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.04% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Great Falls. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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