Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Charlottesville, VA: $72,851 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Charlottesville, VA earns a median $72,851/year (≈ $35.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Charlottesville's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 99.1), that paycheck buys what $73,479 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.7% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With approximately 170 medical and clinical laboratory technologists employed in Charlottesville, Virginia, the local job market reflects a stable demand for professionals in this field. As of 2026, those in this role can expect a median annual salary of $72,851, which is a competitive figure when compared to the national median of $68,734. Expected salaries range from $45,011 at the lower end (P10) to $95,558 for seasoned professionals (P90). This information comes from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The presence of numerous healthcare facilities indicates a healthy job market, suggesting ample opportunities for qualified candidates in Charlottesville.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,011 | $21.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,508 | $25.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,851 | $35.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,114 | $42.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,558 | $45.94 |
Median Salary Position
5.99% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charlottesville
In Charlottesville, VA, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,547 (2026 est.). At $72,851, the local median is 5.99% above the national median of $68,734.
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At 40 hours/week in Charlottesville: You'd be above the median
How Charlottesville Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Charlottesville median: $72,851/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charlottesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $65,221 | +11.70% more |
| National Average | $68,734 | +5.99% more |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Charlottesville, VA earn a median of $72,851 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.99% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 11.70% above the Virginia state average of $65,221.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charlottesville has a cost of living 0.85% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charlottesville, VA has a cost-of-living index of 99.146 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $72,851 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,479 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.86% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,070
2025 BLS Actual
$70,702
2026 Current Est.
$72,851
2019–2027 Growth
+27.1%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Charlottesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,070 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,040 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,380 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,702 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,851 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,066 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charlottesville metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 19.7% from $59,070 (2019) to $70,702 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,066 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,996 (27.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charlottesville 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) | $45,011 – $53,508 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,508 – $72,851 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,851 – $89,114 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,114 – $95,558 |
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 Charlottesville
In terms of pay dynamics, the cost-of-living index in Charlottesville sits at 99.146, which is slightly below the national average. This means that while salaries may appear higher than national averages, the effective purchasing power may not be as significant as it seems. Employers such as large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics are known to offer some of the highest compensation packages for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in the area. Factors like shift differentials and specialty credentials can contribute to the wide salary range found within the profession; those with specific skills often secure higher wages. To enhance earning potential in Charlottesville, technologists should consider seeking additional certifications, pursuing roles in higher-paying healthcare settings, and taking advantage of shifts that offer premium pay.
More salary data for Charlottesville, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Charlottesville, VA in 2026?
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Can medical and clinical laboratory technologists make $100K in Charlottesville?
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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 $70,702 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Charlottesville 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