Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Cambridge, MA: $84,737 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Cambridge, MA earns a median $84,737/year (≈ $40.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Cambridge's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $78,099 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $84,737 in 2026, medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Cambridge, MA, find themselves in a comparatively advantageous position when considering national averages, which stand at $68,734. The earnings can vary significantly, with a range stretching from $49,394 for the lowest 10% to as high as $131,342 for the top earners. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost-of-living conditions, reflect dynamics in both demand and compensation for this essential healthcare role. Given that there are only 22 medical and clinical laboratory technologists employed in Cambridge, the market appears to maintain a tight balance between supply and demand, indicating potential opportunities for growth in both employment and salary.
About the Cambridge Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,394 | $23.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,408 | $29.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,737 | $40.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,463 | $52.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,342 | $63.14 |
Median Salary Position
23.28% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cambridge
In Cambridge, MA, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,948 (2026 est.). At $84,737, the local median is 23.28% above the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cambridge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cambridge Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Cambridge median: $84,737/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cambridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $86,821 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $68,734 | +23.28% more |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Cambridge, MA earn a median of $84,737 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.28% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 2.40% below the Massachusetts state average of $86,821.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cambridge has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cambridge, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,737 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $78,099 — a 7.83% 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
$69,417
2025 BLS Actual
$82,237
2026 Current Est.
$84,737
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Cambridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,417 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,802 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,533 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,984 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,427 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,993 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,237 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,737 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,313 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cambridge metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 18.5% from $69,417 (2019) to $82,237 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,313 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,896 (25.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cambridge 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) | $49,394 – $61,408 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,408 – $84,737 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,737 – $108,463 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,463 – $131,342 |
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 Cambridge
Local economic conditions directly influence the effective take-home pay for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, particularly given Cambridge's cost-of-living index of 108.5, which is above the national average. This reality affects purchasing power, making it crucial for professionals in this field to seek employment with established institutions such as large healthcare organizations or specialty clinics that can offer competitive compensation. Variability in pay is often driven by factors like shift differentials, specialized certifications, and employer size, which can substantially impact salary offers. To optimize their earning potential in the Cambridge market, technologists should consider pursuing advanced certifications and negotiating for benefits packages that include bonuses and comprehensive health coverage, ensuring their total compensation reflects their expertise and the local economic context.
More salary data for Cambridge, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Cambridge, MA in 2026?
Is Cambridge, MA a good place to work as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?
Can medical and clinical laboratory technologists make $100K in Cambridge?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in Cambridge?
How much does a medical and clinical laboratory technologist make per hour in Cambridge?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 $82,237 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Cambridge 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 Cambridge 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