Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Lakewood, CA: $75,721 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Lakewood, CA earns a median $75,721/year (≈ $36.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $66,950 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lakewood, California, the projected median annual salary for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist in 2026 is set at $75,721, which exceeds the national median of $68,734 by about 10.17%. This salary offers a bracket that affords varied compensation dynamics, ranging from $48,239 at the 10th percentile to $117,368 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional adjustments, signaling a potentially strong job market. Notably, with only 19 medical and clinical laboratory technologists currently employed in this city, the relatively small workforce may indicate a niche field with lower market saturation, positioning local professionals for competitive opportunities.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from California average ($100,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,239 | $23.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,175 | $27.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,721 | $36.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,923 | $46.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,368 | $56.42 |
Median Salary Position
10.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, CA, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,129 (2026 est.). At $75,721, the local median is 10.17% above the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $75,721/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $77,663 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $68,734 | +10.17% more |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Lakewood, CA earn a median of $75,721 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.17% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 2.50% below the California state average of $77,663.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $75,721 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $66,950 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$62,031
2025 BLS Actual
$73,487
2026 Current Est.
$75,721
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,031 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,269 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,496 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,006 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,976 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,227 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,487 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,721 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,023 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 18.5% from $62,031 (2019) to $73,487 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,023 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,992 (25.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $48,239 – $56,175 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,175 – $75,721 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,721 – $96,923 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,923 – $117,368 |
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 Lakewood
The job market in Lakewood presents both challenges and advantages for medical and clinical laboratory technologists. With a cost-of-living index at 113.1, the buying power of salaries may be impacted, emphasizing the importance of negotiating compensation based on employer size and additional benefits. Larger healthcare organizations and specialty clinics typically offer higher pay, often complemented by better benefits, which can significantly drive total compensation. Variations in salaries can also arise from shift differentials and specialized certifications, further broadening the pay spectrum. For those considering how much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Lakewood, developing specialized skills and seeking employment with larger firms can be effective strategies for maximizing income in this competitive market.
More salary data for Lakewood, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Lakewood, CA in 2026?
Is Lakewood, CA a good place to work as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?
Can medical and clinical laboratory technologists make $100K in Lakewood?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in Lakewood?
How much does a medical and clinical laboratory technologist make per hour in Lakewood?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $73,487 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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