How Much Does an MLT Make in Oregon in 2026?

A typical MLT in Oregon earns about $39.91 per hour ($83,010 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That annual earnings rate amounts to $6,918 per month, or $1,596 each week, as calculated from the annual figure. Full-time laboratory technicians receive these predictable earnings while supporting clinical diagnostic testing across the state.

This statewide compensation level sits 32% higher than the national typical pay of $62,930 per year, or $30.26 hourly. That premium places Oregon second among all 51 states and territories for technician wages. The state supports a dedicated workforce of 2,660 medical laboratory technicians who staff clinical laboratories. Across the entire country, this healthcare field employs 332,940 professionals.

Entry-level positions for a clinical laboratory technician in Oregon typically offer around $23.68 per hour, which equals $49,260 annually for workers entering the field. Those with a couple of years of experience see wages rise toward $29.98 per hour, or $62,360 per year. Pay generally moves toward the state typical wage of $39.91 hourly within a few years. New technicians build foundational bench competencies during this initial career stage.

Experienced medical lab techs often earn upwards of $49.50 per hour, or $102,950 per year. The top 10% of earners make over $56.56 per hour, translating to more than $117,640 annually. Across the career spectrum, this creates an entry-to-top spread of $68,380 between starting pay and top tier earnings. Differences in practice setting, accumulated bench experience, and specific city assignments account for these substantial wage gaps.

The decade record for Oregon shows consistent wage growth across laboratory positions. In 2017, typical pay stood at $62,530 annually before climbing steadily to $83,010 in 2025. That upward movement delivered a total dollar gain of $20,480 for full-time professionals. Overall, this change represents a 33% rise in annual compensation over that span.

This wage expansion outpaced the broader country, where the national decade rise reached 22%. Oregon sustained larger dollar and percentage increases than most other regions during the same timeframe. For someone entering the profession today, this history shows that state pay has moved up substantially over time. Past wage increases describe what occurred in prior years rather than guaranteeing future compensation trajectories.

Compensation varies noticeably across different regions of the state. Bend offers the highest compensation in Oregon, where typical pay reaches $90,270 per year ($43.40 hourly). That figure sits 9% above the overall statewide benchmark. Other urban centers also report competitive wages, including Albany at $84,850 annually, Eugene at $84,000, and Medford at $81,370. All reported metropolitan figures cover each city's full metropolitan area.

At the lower end of the spectrum, Salem reports typical earnings of $78,640 annually, or $37.81 per hour. Between Bend and Salem, the resulting city spread is $11,630 per year. Portland employs the state's largest MLT workforce with 1,540 technicians earning typical annual salaries of $83,010 ($39.91 hourly). These regional differences largely track local living expenses, as higher pay commonly balances steeper housing and consumer costs.

Oregon offers higher technician pay than every bordering state. California sits closest to Oregon wage levels with typical compensation of $76,010 annually, which is 8% lower than Oregon. Washington technicians earn $72,760 per year, sitting 12% below Oregon rates. Nevada pays $57,320, while Idaho reports the lowest regional compensation at $47,450, trailing Oregon by 43%. Professional licensure in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a nearby one.

Medical laboratory technicians in Oregon currently earn typical compensation of $83,010 per year, built on an established 33% wage rise over the recorded decade. Technicians planning their next career steps should consult the state licensing or registry page to review mandatory credentialing requirements. In addition, reviewing specific city pages provides practical figures for local metropolitan healthcare employers across the state.