Starting Salary of Medical Technologists

Medical technologists are professionals who perform tests in clinics, hospitals and other medical facilities. Doctors use these tests to diagnose and treat diseases. The work of medical technologists is similar to that of medical technicians, but the procedures medical technologists complete are more complex. Subsequently, pay is higher. Pay for a starting medical technologist isn't as good as pay for a technologist with experience, but a starting salary of about $40,000 is possible.

Lowest Earners

Medical technologists in the 10th percentile of earners make $37,540 per year, or an hourly wage of about $18, according to 2009 figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Estimates for entry-level medical technologists vary from other sources. For instance, the Salary (Salary Wizard) website reports that those in the 10th percentile earn $49,941 as of 2011, while the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science reports the starting salary range as $26,000 to $30,000.

Comparison to Experienced Technologists

The average salary for medical technologists based on 2009 information is $55,620, or $26.74 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which also reported the 90th percentile salary was $75,960, or $36.52 per hour. Starting medical technologists thus make only about 67 percent of the average salary and earn only 49 percent of what top medical technologists make.

Pay by Industry

Medical technologists work in many different settings. The sector in which a technologist works sometimes influences pay. According to the BLS, the best sectors for medical technologists include pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing ($65,570), employers within the federal executive branch ($62,860), specialty hospitals ($58,930), scientific research and development services ($57,630) and management, scientific and technical consulting services ($57,440).

Pay by Region

Geographical location affects medical technologist compensation. The BLS reports that, according to 2009 data, the highest paying areas are California ($73,350), Nevada ($67,550), Alaska ($64,030), Connecticut ($67,950) and the District of Columbia ($62,510).

The BLS also shows the worst regions for medical technologists in terms of pay. These regions are Guam ($18,100), New Mexico ($24,820), Oklahoma ($27,350), Arizona ($29,450) and Indiana ($30,630).

Looking at both the lowest and highest regions, salaries for medical technologists range from $18,100 to $73,350. Because there is such a discrepancy in pay by location, medical technologist should think seriously about where they want to work and receive training in that area. Cost of living must be a consideration.

Considerations

Even though medical technologists don't earn as much money as some other medical professionals, the BLS indicates that the need for medical technologists is rising and that there are more positions available than there are technologists. The job outlook for starting medical technologists thus is good, with the BLS projecting 12 percent growth in the technologist field through 2018.

References

• Salary (Salary Wizard); Medical Technologist (ASCP) - U.S. National Averages; 2011
• Portland Community College; Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT); 2011
• Bureau of Labor Statistics; Occupational Employment Statistics (Medical Laboratory Technologist); 2011
• Bureau of Labor Statistics; Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists; 2010