Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Oak Park, IL: $72,170 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Oak Park, IL earns a median $72,170/year (≈ $34.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Oak Park's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $74,325 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oak Park, Illinois, the projected median annual compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists is $72,170 for 2026. This figure is slightly above the national average for the occupation, which is estimated at $68,734. The salary range in the region varies significantly, with entry-level professionals earning approximately $42,319 while experienced technologists can earn as much as $111,864. These projections are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost-of-living factors, indicating that Oak Park offers a favorable purchasing power relative to many other regions. Given Oak Park’s unique demographic and economic attributes, the job market presents competitive resources for skilled laboratory technologists.
About the Oak Park Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,319 | $20.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,708 | $27.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,170 | $34.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,373 | $44.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,864 | $53.78 |
Median Salary Position
5.00% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Park
In Oak Park, IL, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,545 (2026 est.). At $72,170, the local median is 5% above the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Park Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Oak Park median: $72,170/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $72,679 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $68,734 | +5.00% more |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Oak Park, IL earn a median of $72,170 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.00% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 0.70% below the Illinois state average of $72,679.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Park has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oak Park, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $72,170 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,325 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,122
2025 BLS Actual
$70,041
2026 Current Est.
$72,170
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Oak Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,122 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,302 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,331 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,864 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,648 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,404 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,041 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,170 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,364 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Park metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 18.5% from $59,122 (2019) to $70,041 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,364 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,242 (25.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Park 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) | $42,319 – $56,708 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,708 – $72,170 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,170 – $92,373 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,373 – $111,864 |
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 Oak Park
Despite having only 10 medical and clinical laboratory technologists currently employed in the area, Oak Park offers a competitive job market driven by various healthcare institutions. The cost-of-living index sits at 97.1, which is below the national average, suggesting that residents might enjoy a better take-home pay ratio compared to more expensive markets. Major employers in the area, including large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics, tend to offer higher compensation packages that often include benefits beyond salary, such as shift differentials and specialty training incentives. In terms of maximizing earnings in Oak Park, professionals should consider pursuing additional certifications and seeking roles in larger facilities, which typically provide higher pay scales due to the complexity of services offered and the demand for experienced staff.
More salary data for Oak Park, IL:
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 $70,041 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Oak Park 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 Oak Park 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