Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Charleston, SC: $63,404 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Charleston, SC earns a median $63,404/year (≈ $30.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Charleston's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.0), that paycheck buys what $62,800 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% above the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the salary for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Charleston, South Carolina, is projected to reach a median of $63,404. This figure falls below the national median of $68,734, indicating a pay disparity that may reflect the local job market conditions. The salary range in the area spans from $39,353 at the 10th percentile to $89,082 at the 90th percentile. The data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights that Charleston has a steady demand for these professionals, with 830 individuals currently employed in this field. While the local employment level suggests a competitive market, it also positions technologists to explore various opportunities for career advancement and specialization.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,353 | $18.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,489 | $23.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,404 | $30.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,322 | $38.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,082 | $42.82 |
Median Salary Position
7.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charleston
In Charleston, SC, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,729 (2026 est.). At $63,404, the local median is 7.75% below the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charleston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Charleston Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Charleston median: $63,404/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $61,918 | +2.40% more |
| National Average | $68,734 | -7.75% less |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Charleston, SC earn a median of $63,404 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.75% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 2.40% above the South Carolina state average of $61,918.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charleston has a cost of living 0.96% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charleston, SC has a cost-of-living index of 100.962 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $63,404 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,800 — a 0.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,280
2025 BLS Actual
$61,533
2026 Current Est.
$63,404
2019–2027 Growth
+16.1%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,533 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,404 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,331 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charleston metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 9.3% from $56,280 (2019) to $61,533 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,331 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,051 (16.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charleston 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) | $39,353 – $49,489 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,489 – $63,404 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,404 – $80,322 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,322 – $89,082 |
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 Charleston
Examining the local job market reveals that the cost of living in Charleston, with a CoL index of 100.962, impacts the purchasing power of medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in Charleston SC. Larger healthcare organizations and specialty clinics are typically inclined to offer higher salaries compared to private practices and community health centers, given their resources and patient volume. Factors such as shift differentials, the necessity for specialty credentials, and the comprehensive benefits structure can drive the pay scale. For those looking to maximize their earnings, focusing on obtaining advanced certifications and seeking employment in larger institutions could be beneficial. Additionally, networking within the local healthcare community may uncover unadvertised positions that offer competitive compensation tailored for skilled professionals in Charleston.
More salary data for Charleston, SC:
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 $61,533 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Charleston 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