How Much Does a CLS Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$62,930
Clinical laboratory scientists in the U.S. earn a median of $62,930 a year, or $30.26 an hour. Half of clinical laboratory scientists earn more than $62,930 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $100,990.
Pay percentiles for clinical laboratory scientists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $18.71 | $38,910 |
| 25th | $22.91 | $47,650 |
| 50th (median) | $30.26 | $62,930 |
| 75th | $39.16 | $81,450 |
| 90th | $48.55 | $100,990 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians (SOC 29-2010). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for clinical laboratory scientists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $97,280 | $46.77 | +55% |
| Oregon | $83,010 | $39.91 | +32% |
| New Hampshire | $81,020 | $38.95 | +29% |
| Massachusetts | $79,120 | $38.04 | +26% |
| Vermont | $78,680 | $37.83 | +25% |
| District of Columbia | $76,560 | $36.81 | +22% |
| California | $76,010 | $36.54 | +21% |
| Rhode Island | $75,780 | $36.44 | +20% |
| Minnesota | $74,440 | $35.79 | +18% |
| Washington | $72,760 | $34.98 | +16% |
| United States | $62,930 | $30.26 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many clinical laboratory scientists are there?
BLS counts about 332,940 clinical laboratory scientists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians”. The most jobs are in Texas (29,530), California (29,210) and Florida (25,790).
The mean (average) annual wage is $67,350, higher than the median of $62,930.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $5,244
- Biweekly
- $2,420
- Weekly
- $1,210
- Daily (8 hours)
- $242
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do clinical laboratory scientists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for clinical laboratory scientists is $30.26. The middle 50% earn between $22.91 and $39.16 an hour.
Which state pays clinical laboratory scientists the most?
New York has the highest median wage for clinical laboratory scientists at $97,280, +55% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for clinical laboratory scientists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of clinical laboratory scientists earn less than $38,910 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.