Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Lafayette, LA: $52,688 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Lafayette, LA earns a median $52,688/year (≈ $25.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Lafayette's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.2), that paycheck buys what $60,416 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.1% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, Louisiana, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in Lafayette is projected to reach a median of $52,688 in 2026, reflecting a local environment with 290 employed professionals in this field. This salary range illustrates the dynamic market, with wages flowing from $34,077 at the 10th percentile to as high as $89,912 at the 90th percentile. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and highlights Lafayette's competitive positioning within the dynamic healthcare sector. Despite the lower median compared to the national average of $68,734, the employment level indicates a steady demand for skilled professionals in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,077 | $16.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,537 | $19.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,688 | $25.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,979 | $33.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,912 | $43.23 |
Median Salary Position
23.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lafayette
In Lafayette, LA, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,835 (2026 est.). At $52,688, the local median is 23.35% below the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lafayette: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lafayette Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Lafayette median: $52,688/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lafayette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $60,631 | -13.10% less |
| National Average | $68,734 | -23.35% less |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Lafayette, LA earn a median of $52,688 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.35% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 13.10% below the Louisiana state average of $60,631.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lafayette has a cost of living 12.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lafayette, LA has a cost-of-living index of 87.209 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $52,688 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,416 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,890
2025 BLS Actual
$51,134
2026 Current Est.
$52,688
2019–2027 Growth
+36.1%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,890 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,024 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,134 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,688 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,290 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lafayette metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 28.2% from $39,890 (2019) to $51,134 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,290 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,400 (36.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette 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) | $34,077 – $41,537 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,537 – $52,688 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,688 – $69,979 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,979 – $89,912 |
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 Lafayette
The job market for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Lafayette features a variety of employers, including private practices, large healthcare organizations, community health centers, and specialty clinics, each offering different compensation packages. With a cost-of-living index of 87.209, professionals may find that their take-home pay affords a good quality of life in the region, despite the salaries being lower than the national average. Factors that contribute to the variation in pay among local positions include shift differentials, specialty credentials, and the size of the employing organization. To maximize their salary potential in Lafayette, technologists should seek advanced certifications or specialized training and consider roles in larger healthcare facilities that often provide superior benefits and pay structures. Understanding the unique dynamics of local employment can significantly enhance earning opportunities in this essential healthcare field.
More salary data for Lafayette, LA:
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 $51,134 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Lafayette 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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