Healthcare Columbia, MO Pop. 126,254

Medical Laboratory Technician Salary in Columbia, Missouri

The median medical laboratory technician salary in Columbia, MO is $50,864 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 0.0% above the Missouri state average.

City Median
$50,864
vs State Avg
+$0
vs National
$-6,936
Cost of Living
88%

Medical Laboratory Technician Pay in Columbia: What to Expect (2026)

Columbia offers a median medical laboratory technician salary of $50,864, which is $0 above the Missouri state average of $50,864. Compared to the national median of $57,800, Columbia pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Columbia's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $50,864 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $57,800 in an average-cost city. This makes Columbia an attractive option for medical laboratory technicians seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for medical laboratory technicians in Columbia spans from $33,440 at the 10th percentile to $74,800 at the 90th percentile — a $41,360 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $35,200, while senior medical laboratory technicians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $72,160. With a population of 126,254, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Medical Laboratory Technician Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level medical laboratory technician earns around $35,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $72,160 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$35,200
$-4,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$51,040
$-6,960 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$72,160
$-9,840 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, MO

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $33,440
25th Percentile $40,480
Median (50th) $50,864
75th Percentile $63,360
90th Percentile $74,800

Medical Laboratory Technician Salary in Other Missouri Cities

How to Become a Medical Laboratory Technician in Columbia

Education

Most medical laboratory technician positions require a associate's degree. Columbia and the surrounding Missouri area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Lab TechniquesHematologyMicrobiologyQuality ControlEquipment OperationData Entry

Job Outlook

Nationally, medical laboratory technician employment is projected to grow 7% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Columbia may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Medical Laboratory Technician Jobs in Columbia

Browse open medical laboratory technician positions in Columbia, MO:

Frequently Asked Questions: Medical Laboratory Technician Salary in Columbia

How much does a Medical Laboratory Technician make in Columbia, MO? ▼
The median medical laboratory technician salary in Columbia, Missouri is $50,864 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $57,800. Salaries range from $33,440 (10th percentile) to $74,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a Medical Laboratory Technician make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $50,864, a medical laboratory technician in Columbia earns approximately $24 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the Missouri state average for medical laboratory technician pay? ▼
Columbia's median medical laboratory technician salary of $50,864 is 0.0% above the Missouri state average of $50,864. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbia, MO? ▼
Columbia has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a medical laboratory technician salary of $50,864 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a medical laboratory technician in Columbia? ▼
Most medical laboratory technician positions in Columbia require a associate's degree. Key skills include Lab Techniques, Hematology, Microbiology, Quality Control. The job market is projected to grow 7% nationally over the next decade.