Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in La Habra, CA: $75,027 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in La Habra, CA earns a median $75,027/year (≈ $36.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in La Habra's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $66,337 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In La Habra, California, medical and clinical laboratory technologists can expect a median annual salary of $75,027 in 2026, slightly higher than the national median of $68,734. The salary range for professionals in this field varies significantly, from $46,635 at the lower end to as much as $116,291 for those in the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, with adjustments for local cost factors. Despite the overall strong compensation, the local salary landscape indicates a slight drawback in comparison to the broader California average, suggesting a competitive job market for skilled technologists in the area.
About the La Habra Market
Salary estimated from California average ($100,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,635 | $22.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,489 | $27.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,027 | $36.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,034 | $46.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,291 | $55.91 |
Median Salary Position
9.16% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Habra
In La Habra, CA, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,656 (2026 est.). At $75,027, the local median is 9.16% above the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in La Habra: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How La Habra Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
La Habra median: $75,027/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Habra Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $77,667 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $68,734 | +9.16% more |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in La Habra, CA earn a median of $75,027 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.16% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 3.40% below the California state average of $77,667.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
La Habra has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
La Habra, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $75,027 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $66,337 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,462
2025 BLS Actual
$72,813
2026 Current Est.
$75,027
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in La Habra (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,462 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,689 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,877 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,391 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,325 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,215 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,813 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,027 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,307 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Habra metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 18.5% from $61,462 (2019) to $72,813 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,307 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,845 (25.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Habra 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $46,635 – $56,489 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,489 – $75,027 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,027 – $96,034 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,034 – $116,291 |
MLS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Job Market in La Habra
With only 16 medical and clinical laboratory technologists currently employed in La Habra, the job market remains relatively niche. The cost-of-living index stands at 113.1, which implies that although salaries may be above the national average, purchasing power could be impacted by higher living expenses. Major employers in the area include larger healthcare organizations and specialty clinics, often providing higher wages, particularly for technologists with advanced credentials or those who work flexible hours that offer shift differentials. To maximize earning potential, candidates should consider gaining certification in specialized areas and actively seek employment with larger institutions that offer comprehensive benefits programs and competitive compensation structures in La Habra, CA.
More salary data for La Habra, CA:
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $72,813 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the La Habra metropolitan area. A 3.04% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for La Habra 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