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How Much Money Does a Medical Technician Make?

Medical technicians may not earn the biggest salary, but there’s room to grow.

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Home » Medical Technician » Salary

Median Annual Salary

According to The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) current Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual salary for medical and clinical laboratory technicians is $57,800. The median expected annual salary for phlebotomists is $37,380. Actual salaries may vary greatly based on specialization within the field, location, years of experience and a variety of other factors.

Take a look at median annual salaries by state.

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

National data

Median Salary: $57,800

Projected job growth: 6.6%

10th Percentile: $30,280

25th Percentile: $37,990

75th Percentile: $74,530

90th Percentile: $79,340

Projected job growth: 6.6%

State data

State Median Salary Bottom 10% Top 10%
Alabama $46,880 $28,700 $64,920
Alaska $60,770 $36,650 $98,490
Arizona $47,020 $29,470 $78,040
Arkansas $46,420 $29,010 $68,430
California $61,650 $37,740 $101,220
Colorado $60,670 $37,150 $79,870
Connecticut $74,980 $37,320 $98,990
Delaware $61,960 $37,150 $77,460
District of Columbia $61,650 $47,130 $98,490
Florida $48,450 $29,120 $77,110
Georgia $47,820 $29,480 $77,350
Hawaii $60,850 $37,990 $79,340
Idaho $44,390 $23,330 $76,810
Illinois $57,280 $33,140 $78,340
Indiana $47,300 $29,460 $74,660
Iowa $48,450 $35,670 $75,000
Kansas $48,000 $29,500 $76,600
Kentucky $59,110 $29,760 $78,460
Louisiana $49,470 $29,180 $76,620
Maine $59,540 $37,620 $75,840
Maryland $59,500 $31,990 $80,020
Massachusetts $59,640 $37,210 $96,890
Michigan $50,190 $29,670 $77,600
Minnesota $59,320 $37,290 $78,640
Mississippi $45,790 $28,810 $73,580
Missouri $47,040 $29,120 $75,000
Montana $60,050 $29,860 $78,940
Nebraska $48,450 $29,870 $76,290
Nevada $59,380 $29,700 $94,410
New Hampshire $74,640 $38,810 $94,420
New Jersey $61,830 $37,640 $94,880
New Mexico $46,980 $29,210 $75,410
New York $76,190 $45,000 $100,270
North Carolina $48,000 $35,030 $76,920
North Dakota $58,860 $37,130 $77,520
Ohio $53,870 $36,580 $78,430
Oklahoma $46,980 $29,360 $76,010
Oregon $74,510 $42,310 $99,770
Pennsylvania $58,550 $35,260 $77,320
Rhode Island $75,000 $47,210 $94,870
South Carolina $47,860 $29,570 $74,780
South Dakota $47,380 $29,470 $76,480
Tennessee $49,520 $29,860 $78,940
Texas $48,450 $29,790 $77,210
Utah $47,020 $29,820 $78,940
Vermont $59,500 $37,150 $79,340
Virginia $50,280 $30,970 $78,940
Washington $61,000 $37,200 $98,210
West Virginia $48,700 $29,470 $76,220
Wisconsin $59,110 $36,170 $76,600
Wyoming $48,660 $29,480 $78,320

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2021 median salary; projected job growth through 2031. Actual salaries may vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.

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What is My Earning Potential?

Medical technicians have many possibilities to boost their earning potential. For some, this job is a stepping stone to a higher-paying job as a medical and clinical lab technologist. Others will find that certain work settings may pay more than others.

Earning a certificate in a specialization can sometimes lead to higher salaries as well. The BLS states the top 10% of medical and clinical laboratory technicians earn a median annual salary of $79,340.

How Do Medical Technician Salaries Compare?

Career Median Annual Salary
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $57,800
Phlebotomists $37,380
Biological Technicians $48,140
Medical Assistants $37,190

Is There Demand for This Career?

People will always get sick or injured keeping most medical careers in high demand. For medical technicians, the aging baby boomer population will continue to create job opportunities. As this demographic gets older, more illnesses will need to be diagnosed, requiring the help and expertise of medical technicians.

In addition, advancements in technology will create opportunities for newly-graduated medical technicians who are most familiar with the latest equipment.

What is the Job Growth for the Field?

The employment of medical technicians is expected to grow faster than average. The BLS predicts jobs for medical technicians will grow by 6.6% through 2031. Biological technicians are expected to see a 9.1% growth rate through 2031. This growth surpasses the national average of 5% for all other careers.

Because a significant portion of the population is aging, doctors will find themselves ordering more diagnostic tests and conducting more surgeries making medical and surgical techs necessary.

How Do I Advance in My Career?

Like most professions, furthering your education can always help your chances for advancement. The more schooling you have, the more valuable you become to an employer.

With a bachelor’s degree, a medical technician has a better shot at advancing to a medical technologist job.

Earning a more lucrative role can also come from being an expert in an area of medical technology. Histotechnicians and surgical techs tend to earn more than general medical lab technicians, therefore earning the appropriate certification can help rev up your career.