Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Burlington, NC: $55,703 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Burlington, NC earns a median $55,703/year (≈ $26.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $59,770 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.5% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $55,703 for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Burlington, North Carolina, the compensation appears modest when compared to the national median of $68,734. Professionals in this city will find salaries ranging from $39,909 at the lower end (P10) to $88,372 at the upper end (P90), highlighting the variability within the field. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, reflect a local cost of living index of 93.196, indicating a lower-than-average living expense compared to national standards. This lower cost of living allows for a different experience of purchasing power, which is an essential consideration for those contemplating a career in Burlington's healthcare sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,909 | $19.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,218 | $21.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,703 | $26.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,098 | $34.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,372 | $42.48 |
Median Salary Position
18.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, NC, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,463 (2026 est.). At $55,703, the local median is 18.96% below the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burlington Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Burlington median: $55,703/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $64,397 | -13.50% less |
| National Average | $68,734 | -18.96% less |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Burlington, NC earn a median of $55,703 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.96% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 13.50% below the North Carolina state average of $64,397.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burlington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.196 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $55,703 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,770 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,950
2025 BLS Actual
$54,060
2026 Current Est.
$55,703
2019–2027 Growth
+40.2%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,950 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,703 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,397 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 32.0% from $40,950 (2019) to $54,060 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,397 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,447 (40.16%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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) | $39,909 – $45,218 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,218 – $55,703 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,703 – $72,098 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,098 – $88,372 |
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 Burlington
In Burlington, NC, approximately 1,820 medical and clinical laboratory technologists are employed, contributing to a competitive job market that offers various opportunities. As the local cost of living index suggests, professionals here enjoy a more favorable economic environment, which affects overall take-home pay. Large healthcare organizations tend to offer the highest salaries, followed by specialty clinics and community health centers, while private practices may lag behind. Factors driving the disparities in wages include shift differentials for those working evenings or weekends, the additional income from specialty credentials, and the overall benefits structure from larger employers. To enhance pay in this regional market, obtaining advanced certifications and skill sets can significantly improve an individual's earning potential while also broadening job prospects in diverse healthcare settings in Burlington.
More salary data for Burlington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Burlington, NC in 2026?
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Can medical and clinical laboratory technologists make $100K in Burlington?
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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 $54,060 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Burlington 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, 7-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