How Much Can Medical Laboratory Technicians Earn?

Medical and Clinical Technicians

Medical and clinical laboratory technicians perform tests to aid in the detection and prevention of health problems. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that about 152,420 were employed in 2009 and made a mean hourly wage of about $18 per hour or about $37,860 annually. The middle 50 percent of these workers earned about $17 an hour or about $36,000 per year, while the top 10 percent made closer to $27 per hour or about $55,000 per year.

Medical and Clinical Technologists

Medical and clinical laboratory technologists use technological equipment and tests to aid in diagnoses and disease prevention. About 166,860 were employed in 2009, according to the BLS, and made an average of about $27 an hour or about $56,000 per year. The lowest 10 percent of medical lab technologists earned about $18 per hour or about $38,000 per year, while the top 10 percent made about $37 per hour or about $76,000 per year.

Medical Appliance Technicians

Medical appliance technicians build, fit and repair medical devices such as artificial limbs and surgical devices. About 13,760 were employed in 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and earned an average wage of about $19 per hour or about $39,000 per year. The lowest 10 percent of earners made about $11 per hour or about $23,000 per year, while the highest 10 percent made about $29 an hour or about $60,500 a year.

Dental Laboratory Technicians

Dental laboratory technicians construct or repair dentures and other dental devices. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that about 40,480 were employed in 2009, earning an average wage of about $18 per hour or about $38,000 per year. The lowest 10 percent of earners made about $10 per hour or about $21,000 per year, while the top 10 percent made about $28 per hour or about $58,000 per year.