Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Richmond, CA: $79,166 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Richmond, CA earns a median $79,166/year (≈ $38.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $69,996 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Richmond, California, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary is projected to be $79,166 annually in 2026, showcasing a competitive pay landscape when compared to the national median of $68,734. The salary range for this profession in the city varies significantly from $45,948 at the 10th percentile to $122,707 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse job market within the field. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and take into consideration regional cost of living adjustments. With only 25 medical and clinical laboratory technologists employed locally, the relatively low employment count signals a tighter job market, where demand and supply dynamics can significantly influence salaries.
About the Richmond Market
Salary estimated from California average ($100,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,948 | $22.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,460 | $27.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,166 | $38.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,332 | $48.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,707 | $58.99 |
Median Salary Position
15.18% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, CA, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,759 (2026 est.). At $79,166, the local median is 15.18% above the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richmond Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Richmond median: $79,166/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $77,690 | +1.90% more |
| National Average | $68,734 | +15.18% more |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Richmond, CA earn a median of $79,166 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.18% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 1.90% above the California state average of $77,690.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richmond, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,166 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,996 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,853
2025 BLS Actual
$76,830
2026 Current Est.
$79,166
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,853 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,147 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,567 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,054 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,205 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,241 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,166 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,572 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 18.5% from $64,853 (2019) to $76,830 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,572 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,719 (25.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $45,948 – $57,460 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,460 – $79,166 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,166 – $101,332 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,332 – $122,707 |
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 Richmond
The cost of living index in Richmond stands at 113.1, indicating that expenses are above the national average and impacting overall purchasing power. In terms of compensation, larger healthcare organizations tend to offer the highest salaries, often supplemented by better benefits packages than smaller private practices or community health centers. Factors contributing to the pay disparity include shift differentials for evening and weekend work, specialty credentials, and the size of the employer. To enhance earning potential, professionals should seek roles within larger institutions, pursue advanced certifications, and remain open to varied work shifts which can lead to higher hourly rates and additional benefits.
More salary data for Richmond, 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 $76,830 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Richmond 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 Richmond 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