Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Santa Fe, NM: $53,683 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Santa Fe, NM earns a median $53,683/year (≈ $25.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Santa Fe's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.8), that paycheck buys what $54,353 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 21.9% below the New Mexico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the estimated yearly earnings for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Santa Fe, NM, stand at $53,683, representing a significant gap when compared to the national median of $68,734. The salary range extends from $43,318 for the lower 10th percentile to $119,915 for the upper 90th percentile, indicating that while there are opportunities for higher compensation, the overall market still falls short compared to national averages. This data stems from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and reflects the 3.04% projected annual growth rate for this field. Despite the city's lower cost of living index of 98.767, the purchasing power for laboratory technologists in Santa Fe remains an important consideration as they navigate the local job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,318 | $20.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,940 | $21.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,683 | $25.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,994 | $35.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,915 | $57.65 |
Median Salary Position
21.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Fe
In Santa Fe, NM, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,597 (2026 est.). At $53,683, the local median is 21.9% below the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Fe: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Santa Fe Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Santa Fe median: $53,683/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Fe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $68,736 | -21.90% less |
| National Average | $68,734 | -21.90% less |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Santa Fe, NM earn a median of $53,683 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.90% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 21.90% below the New Mexico state average of $68,736.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Fe has a cost of living 1.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Fe, NM has a cost-of-living index of 98.767 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $53,683 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,353 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,977
2025 BLS Actual
$52,099
2026 Current Est.
$53,683
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Santa Fe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,977 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,450 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,099 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,683 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,315 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Fe metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 18.5% from $43,977 (2019) to $52,099 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,315 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,338 (25.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Fe 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) | $43,318 – $43,940 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,940 – $53,683 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,683 – $72,994 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,994 – $119,915 |
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 Santa Fe
With 180 medical and clinical laboratory technologists currently employed in Santa Fe, the local job market has room for growth. The cost-of-living index suggests that although expenses are slightly below the national average, the compensation for this profession still lags significantly behind national standards. Employers such as large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics tend to offer the highest salaries, often favoring those with advanced credentials or specialized skills. The variance in pay within this profession can also be attributed to factors like shift differentials, the size and resources of the employer, and the benefits packages offered. For aspiring professionals, gaining specialty certifications and considering roles in institutions known for competitive pay can be effective strategies for maximizing earnings in this specific market.
More salary data for Santa Fe, NM:
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 $52,099 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Santa Fe 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