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The American Society for Clinical Pathologyrsquos 2015 WageSurvey of Medical Laboratories in the United States
Edna Garcia MPH1 and Patrick B Fisher MA2
From the 1American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Institute of Science Technology and Policy Washington DC and 2ASCP Board of
Certification Chicago IL
Key Words Wage survey CME Laboratory workforce Certification Technologists Taskforce on workforce Recruitment Retention
Am J Clin Pathol April 2017147334-356
DOI 101093AJCPAQW220
ABSTRACT
Objectives To inform the pathology and laboratory field of
the most recent national wage data from the American Society
for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Historically the results of this
biennial survey have served as a basis for additional research
on laboratory recruitment retention education marketing
certification and advocacy
Methods The 2015 wage survey was conducted through
collaboration between the ASCPrsquos Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy in Washington DC and the ASCP
Board of Certification in Chicago Illinois Electronic sur-
vey invitations were sent to individuals who are currently
practicing in the field
Results Data reveal increased salaries since 2013 for all
staff-level laboratory professionals surveyed except phlebot-
omists and pathologistsrsquo assistants Laboratory assistants
and phlebotomists regardless of level continue to have
lower salaries while pathologistsrsquo assistants and adminis-
tration personnel have higher salaries than the rest of the
laboratory professions surveyed
Conclusions Survey results put emphasis on strategic re-
cruitment and retention by laboratory training programs
and institutions that hire laboratory professionals
Since 1988 the American Society for Clinical
Pathology (ASCP) has conducted its wage survey to in-
form the pathology and laboratory field of the most recent
national wage data This confidential survey has been ad-
ministered every 2 years and has served as the primary
source of information for academic government and in-
dustry labor analysts Results from past surveys show that
laboratory medicine is a rapidly evolving field Although the
ASCP recognizes the importance of continuity each adminis-
tration of the wage survey represents an opportunity to im-
prove its methodology to collect the most current relevant
data while maximizing survey participation The ASCP con-
tinues to gather questions comments and suggestions from
our members regarding the profession with the goal of ad-
dressing them through this important survey The results of
this survey will also serve as a starting point for further stud-
ies of the laboratory workforce by using the current data col-
lected to conduct in-depth surveys for the purpose of
recruitment retention education marketing certification
and advocacy
Materials and Methods
The 2015 wage survey was conducted through collabo-
ration between the ASCPrsquos Institute of Science
Technology and Policy in Washington DC and its Board
of Certification (ASCP BOC) in Chicago Illinois The Wage
Survey Working Group whose members work in the field of
pathology and laboratory medicine reviewed the survey
questions and critiqued the report Partner organizations
were also invited to participate in completing the survey to
get a larger scope of the current issues faced by the labora-
tory workforce Electronic survey invitations were sent on
334 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356DOI 101093ajcpaqw220
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology 2017 All rights reservedFor permissions please e-mail journalspermissionsoupcom
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
May 28 2015 via Key Survey (an online survey tool
HighRoad Solution Ashburn VA) The survey was closed
on July 19 2015 To maximize survey response this survey
used snowball sampling in which respondents were asked
to forward the invitation e-mail to other individuals who are
currently practicing in the field The ASCP also collected
information on those who were disqualified from this yearrsquos
wage survey (ie clinical laboratory educator retired unem-
ployed working in laboratory-related industry working in a
non-laboratory-related industry working in a research labo-
ratory) for future research studies
The majority of the initial e-mail recipient list derived
from the ASCP database included the following
bull Individuals within the United States andor US territories
who currently have a certification through the ASCP
BOC
bull Individuals within the United States andor US territories
who currently do not hold certification through the
ASCP BOC
bull Individuals who have taken relevant continuing medical
education (CME) coursework through the ASCP
bull Individuals who have participated in relevant CME
coursework but are not ASCP BOC certified
The following partnering entities also participated in the
survey deployment
bull AABB (formerly the American Association of Blood
Banks)
bull American Association for Clinical Chemistrybull American Medical Technologistsbull American Society for Clinical Laboratory Sciencebull American Society of Cytopathologybull American Society for Cytotechnologybull American Society for Microbiologybull Clinical Laboratory Management Associationbull National Society for Histotechnologybull Philippine Association of Medical TechnologistsndashUSA
The 2015 wage survey sought to collect staff- lead- super-
visor- manager- and laboratory directorndashlevel data on the
following clinical laboratory occupations
bull Administrationbull Cytogenetic technologist (CG)bull Cytotechnologist (CT)bull Histotechnician (HT)bull Histotechnologist (HTL)bull Laboratory assistant (LA)bull Laboratory information system (LIS) professionalbull Medical laboratory technicianclinical laboratory techni-
cian (MLTCLT)
bull Medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclini-
cal laboratory scientist (MLSMTCLS)
bull Molecular biologist (MB)bull Pathologistsrsquo assistant (PA)
bull Performance improvement or quality assurance
(PIQA)
bull Phlebotomist (PBT)bull Point of care (POC)bull Specialist in blood banking (SBB)
Clinical laboratory occupations that were newly surveyed
this year are shown in bold POC was included in the survey
but the overall sample sizes (lt30) were too small for mean-
ingful statistical analysis
This yearrsquos wage survey collected data on wages by
clinical laboratory occupation included in the survey wages
by facility department certification state total years of ex-
perience and age New questions added involved asking the
respondents from what budget their salaries are paid and
demographics such as age sex and ethnicity Although this
survey excluded clinical educators and those not actively
working in a clinical laboratory consideration was given to
whether a separate survey would be needed for that group
Key Findings
A total of 16661 responses were received in this yearrsquos
wage survey This shows a 2133 increase in participation
compared with the 2013 wage survey Demographic data
collected indicate that 8096 of the respondents are female
and 1904 are male Figure 1 and Figure 2 show the
percentage distribution of all survey respondents by ethnic-
ity and level of education respectively The average age of
laboratory personnel who responded to the survey is 4395
years compared with 4432 years in 2013
Table 1 details the total number and percentage of re-
spondents by occupational title By occupational level the
percent distribution of respondents is staff (6199) lead
(1478) supervisor (1136) manager (701) director
(372) and other (114) The following top 10 states pro-
vided most of the survey responses Texas (759)
California (579) Minnesota (451) Ohio (446) New
York (434) Illinois (426) Pennsylvania (403)
Florida (399) Wisconsin (348) and North Carolina
(347) Results indicated that most laboratory personnel
currently have one employer (8736) followed by two
employers (936) and over three employers (328) within
the medical laboratory field Most laboratory professionals
who responded to the survey have full-time permanent posi-
tions (8846) followed by part-time (792) PRN (pro re
nata) on call or as needed (167) per diem (109) and
full-timetemporary contract (086) Those who reported
working as full-timetemporary contract personnel were either
traveling laboratory professionals or subcontractors
Most of the participants (5558) indicated that they
had received their clinical training from a National
Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences ac-
credited or approved training program whereas 2513
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 335DOI 101093ajcpaqw220335Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
selected ldquoon-the-job trainingrdquo 456 selected Commission
on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
282 selected military 266 selected Accrediting Bureau
of Health Education Schools and 925 selected ldquodonrsquot
knowotherrdquo The survey sought information on the type of
facility in which a participant is primarily employed Figure
3 as well as the department that best fits his or her employ-
ment Figure 4 Most respondents are employed in aca-
demic and nonacademic hospital facilities and are
generalists or work in multiple departments
Of all the respondents 2160 are licensed by the state
in which they currently work as a laboratory professional
Licensed respondents are mostly from California and the
least are from Washington DC The survey gathered data
on laboratory professionals in states and territories that re-
quire licensure California Florida Georgia Hawaii
Louisiana Montana Nevada New York North Dakota
Rhode Island Tennessee Washington DC West Virginia
and Puerto Rico Figure 5
Overall 728 of respondents reported being represented
by a union at their place of employment Most of the respon-
dents are represented by Service Employees International
Union 1199 (5248) followed by federal union (2886)
Table 1Total Number () of Responses by Occupational Titlea
Occupational Title No ()
MLSMTCLS 8601 (5162)
MLTCLT 2483 (1490)
PBT 1077 (646)
HT 772 (463)
CT 554 (333)
HTL 542 (325)
CG 511 (307)
Other 451 (271)
PA 286 (172)
LA 278 (167)
SBB 227 (136)
PI or QA 212 (127)
MB 210 (126)
Administration 210 (126)
Pathologist 95 (057)
LIS 93 (056)
Point of care 59 (035)
Total 16661 (10000)
CG cytogenetic technologist CT cytotechnologist HT histotechnician HTL histo-
technologist LA laboratory assistant LIS laboratory information systems MLT
CLT medical laboratory technicianclinical laboratory technician MLSMTCLS
medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist MB
molecular biologist PA pathologistsrsquo assistant PI or QA performance improvement
or quality assurance PBT phlebotomist SBB specialist in blood bankingaPercentage distribution of all survey respondents
167
709
1761
5911
1227
220
High schoolGED
College credit not equivalent to a degree
Associates degree
Bachelors degree
Masters degree
MD DO PhD or other advanced degree
Figure 2 Percent distribution of all survey respondents by
level of education
091
783
759
7574
536
041216
American Indian or Alaska Native
Asian
Black or African American
Caucausian
Hispanic or Latino
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
Other
Figure 1 Percent distribution of all survey respondents by
ethnicity
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
336 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology336 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
United Food and Commercial Workers (711) University
Professional and Technical Employees (671) and United
University Professions (483) The new question added this
yearmdashldquoFrom which budget is your salary paidrdquomdashrevealed
that salaries mainly come from the laboratory general budget
as part of the hospital or organization Figure 6
This year comparison between certified and noncerti-
fied laboratory personnel was not performed because the
low sample size of noncertified compared with certified in-
dividuals provided an inaccurate comparison
Cytogenetic Technologists
The national mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level
CGs is $3110 ($859) Figure 7 Staff CGs are aged 4069
years on average
CG leads earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3551
($729 Figure 7) On average leads are aged 4370 years
CG supervisors are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3863
($945 Figure 7) The average annual wages of CGs by job
level are listed in Table 2 On average supervisor-level
CGs are aged 4606 years
The highest paying type of facility for all CGs is private
industries at an average of $3277 per hour followed by aca-
demic hospitals with more than 500 beds at $3229 and refer-
enceindependent laboratories that pay an hourly wage of
$3160 The average age for all CG respondents is 4212
years which is younger than the national average Figure 8
This survey also looked at average wage by department
Most CG respondents work in the cytogenetics department
and are paid $3249 per hour The highest paying state for
all CG levels is California and the lowest paying state is
North Carolina Table 3 On average a CG has 1395 total
years of experience working in the laboratory field and 995
average years of working in his or her current occupational
title Figure 9 and Figure 10
The sample size (lt30) for each occupational level was
too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay rates by
all facilities and states surveyed For the same reason analy-
sis of the average age by state for CGs was not performed
1495
1119
876
824
754
751
626
505
396
359
337
263
250
239
208
172
156
128
118
106
097
088
061
043
020
010
00 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Physicians office laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Nonprofit
Military VA VHA
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Private industry
Community-based
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Other
Government
Blood center
Education
Reference
Public health laboratory
Clinic-based histology laboratory
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Veterinary
Academic health centersmdashoutpatient
Percentage of Employees
Fa
cil
ity
Ty
pe
Ch
ara
cte
ris
tic
Figure 3 Percentage of respondents by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 337DOI 101093ajcpaqw220337Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
1971
1659
840
663
645
635
555
535
444
366
297
295
265
226
167
116
084
082
079
045
029
000 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000
Generalists
AllMultiple departments
MicrobiologyVirology
Core laboratory
Blood bank
Phlebotomy
Histology
Anatomic pathology
HematologyCoagulation
Chemistry toxicology
Other
Cytogenetics
Cytology
Molecular pathology
LIS-QA-PI
Immunology
Flow cytometry
Specimen processing
Point of care
HLA
Sendouts
Percentage of Employees
Dep
art
men
t
Figure 4 Percentage of respondents by department HLA human leukocyte antigen LIS laboratory information system PI
performance improvement QA quality assurance
2285
2065
1718
1109
720
478
306 295 247 245175 170
114 075
0
5
10
15
20
25
Lic
en
se
d R
esp
on
de
nts
(
)
Licensure StateTerritory
Figure 5 Licensed respondents currently working as a laboratory professional by state (nfrac143598)
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
338 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology338 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
6920
1770
695253 192 110 060
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Laboratorygeneral budgetas part of the
hospital ororganization
I dont know Privatelaboratory
Medical group(pathologists)
Other Government University
Dis
trib
uti
on
(
)
Budget Where Salaries Are Paid
Figure 6 Budget where salaries are paid
$311
0
$323
9
$244
1
$268
2
$164
5
$208
9
$279
0
$274
5
$433
0
$383
7
$149
7 $
285
1
$336
1
$355
1
$347
4
$280
1
$305
1
$178
2
$235
5
$315
4
$346
5 $478
1
$169
6 $
310
5
$386
3
$369
5
$307
3
$319
1
$253
3
$334
3
$386
6 $515
8
$210
8 $344
3
$436
3
$421
1
$401
9
$317
5
$331
3
$422
5
$450
5
$431
5
$379
9
$591
0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Ave
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Occupational Title
Staff
Lead
Supervisor
Manager
Director
Figure 7 Average hourly wage for laboratory staff lead supervisormanager and director positions per occupational title
Sample sizes for some occupational levels were less than 30 and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons For defi-
nitions of abbreviations see Table 1
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 339DOI 101093ajcpaqw220339Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Cytotechnologists
Staff-level CTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3239 ($636 Figure 7) Pay rates per hour for staff are
highest in reference and independent laboratories at
$3355 Academic hospitals with more than 500 beds
and nonacademic hospitals pay $3180 and $3162
respectively The facilities providing the lowest hourly pay
for staff-level CTs are nonacademic hospitals with 0 to 99
beds at $3095 The overall sample size (lt30) for this oc-
cupational level was too small for meaningful statistical
analysis of pay rates by all facilities surveyed Therefore
we report data from only certain facilities According to
Table 2Average Annual Wages by Occupational Title and Levela
Occupational Title
Average Annual Wagesb
Staff Lead Supervisor Manager Director
CG $5956084 $7386766 $8034000 c c
CT $6594283 $7226482 $8616969 $9097138 c
HT $5743858 $5826184 $6987010 $8759371 c
HTL $6091316 $6345144 $7837016 $8359339 c
LA $3421184 $3705832 c c c
LIS $6990646 c c c c
MLTCLT $3973288 $4898192 $5730647 $6603707 c
MLSMTCLS $5738277 $6496662 $7659477 $8326301 $9699018
MB $5421433 $7207803 $8042337 c c
PA $9179712 $9946157 $10728774 c c
PI or QA $7980960 c $8829600 c c
PBT $3114238 $3527514 $4384286 c c
SBB $5929040 $6457922 $7486350 $9370968 c
Administration c c c $8976237 $12283348
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1bSome annual wages listed were made equivalent to a full-time salarycSample size constraints prevented further analysis of wage rate
5362
49734864 4767 4759 4660
4518 4436 43984212 4212
4107 4101 4004 3947
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Ave
rag
e A
ge
(y)
Ocupational Title
Figure 8 Average age of all respondents by occupational title For definitions of abbreviations see Table 1
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
340 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology340 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
survey results staff-level CTs have an average age of
4425 years
Lead CTs earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3474
($524 Figure 7) Their average age is 4754 years The
mean (SD) hourly wage for CT supervisors is $3695
($838 Figure 7) They are on average aged 4947 years
CT managers earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $4363
($812 Figure 7) The average annual wages of CTs by job
level are shown in Table 2 The mean age for managers is
5214 years Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facil-
ities for leads supervisors managers and directors was not
performed due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level
Of the facilities that were analyzed academic hospitals
with 300 to 499 beds show the highest hourly pay rate at
$3534 for all CT respondents regardless of level All CTs
earn an average hourly rate of $3408 at referenceindepen-
dent laboratories $3295 at nonacademic hospitals with 300
to 499 beds $3286 at pathologistclinical scientist laborato-
ries and $3280 at academic hospitals with more than 500
beds The average age for all CT respondents is 4660 years
which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
Most CT respondents work in anatomic pathology and
cytology departments The hourly compensation offered by
these departments is on average $3318 and $3364 respec-
tively Regardless of position level California pays CTs the
highest and Ohio the lowest Table 4 Results indicate that
on average CTs have 1812 total years of experience in the
field and have been in their current position for 1210 years
the most number of years of experience and working in
their current title among all the groups surveyed (Figures 9
and 10)
Analysis of pay rates by all 50 states and the average age by
state for CTs was not performed due to the small sample size
Histotechnicians
The national mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level
HTs is $2441 ($492 Figure 7) Pay rates among the
Table 3Average Annual Salaries for Cytogenetic Technologists by
State From Highest to Lowest Payinga
Cytogenetic Technologist Hourly Wage
California $4379
Massachusetts $3633
Arizona $3571
Minnesota $3296
Tennessee $3082
Virginia $2923
Texas $2769
North Carolina $2419
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
1812
1700
1606 15961543
14701424 1395
12911214
11601126
1058
849
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
To
tal Y
ea
rs o
f E
xp
eri
en
ce
Occupational Title
Figure 9 Average years of total experience in the laboratory field by occupational title For definitions of abbreviations see
Table 1
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 341DOI 101093ajcpaqw220341Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
laboratory facilities surveyed are comparable except for
nonacademic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds which provide
staff HTs with the highest hourly wage of $2533 Academic
hospitals with more than 500 beds and referenceindepen-
dent laboratories pay $2533 and $2522 respectively
Academic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds and 100 to 299
beds both pay an average hourly wage of $2414 Clinic-
based histology laboratories pay $2484 an hour and nonaca-
demic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds pay the least at
$2411 The average age of staff HTs is 4211 years
Lead-level HTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of
$2801 ($623) The average age of lead HTs is 4601 years
HT supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3073
($664) and HT managers are paid $4211 ($1355
Figure 7) The average annual wages of HTs by job level are
listed in Table 2 Supervisors and managers are aged 4749
years and 4860 years on average respectively
Overall all HT respondents are paid the highest in
nonacademic hospitals with over 500 beds at $3385 per
hour and least in private industries at $2482 Figure 11
The average age for all HT respondents is 4398 years simi-
lar to the national average (Figure 8)
Anatomic pathology departments pay HTs an average
hourly wage of $2590 while histology departments pay
$2566 Geographically HTs regardless of position level
are paid a significantly higher wage in California and the
lowest in New York Table 5 According to the survey re-
sults HTs have an average of 1424 years of total experi-
ence in the laboratory field and have been in their current
position for 935 years (Figures 9 and 10)
The overall sample sizes (lt30) for occupational levels
were too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay rates
by all facilities and states surveyed Therefore we report data
from only certain facilities For the same reason analysis of
the average age by state for HTs was not performed
Histotechnologists
The mean (SD) hourly wage for staff HTLs is $2682
($623 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff are highest at academic
hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $2807 Academic
1210
1123
1038995
952 935 913887 872 859
824794
754
692
556
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14A
vera
ge Y
ears
Occupational Title
Figure 10 Average years of working in current occupational title For definitions of abbreviations see Table 1
Table 4Average Annual Salaries for Cytotechnologists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Cytotechnologist Hourly Wage
California $4584
Minnesota $3425
Texas $3416
Florida $3333
Pennsylvania $3096
Ohio $3044
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
342 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology342 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
hospitals with over 500 beds pay $2782 and referencein-
dependent laboratories pay $2688 Staff HTLs have an av-
erage age of 4275 years
Lead-level HTLs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of
$3051 ($640) The average age of lead HTs is 4486 years
Supervisor HTLs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3191 ($630 Figure 7) The average age for supervisors is
4818 years Manager HTLs earn a mean (SD) hourly wage
of $4019 ($1346 Figure 7) The average annual wages of
HTLs by job level are listed in Table 2 Survey results indi-
cate that the average age for managers is 4977 years
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities for
leads supervisors managers and directors was not performed
due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level Regardless
of level academic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds and over
500 beds show the highest hourly pay rate at $2963 and
$2943 respectively HTLs earn an average hourly rate of
$2817 at referenceindependent laboratories $2817 at pri-
vate industries and $2705 at pathologistclinical scientist lab-
oratories The average age for all HTL respondents is 4518
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
By department most HTL respondents are found in an-
atomic pathology and histology They are paid average
hourly wages of $2941 and $2774 respectively The high-
est paying state for all HTL levels is California and the low-
est paying state is Michigan Table 6 Overall HTLs have
an average of 1543 years of total experience in the labora-
tory field and have been working in their current occupa-
tional title for an average of 913 years (Figures 9 and 10)
The overall sample sizes (lt30) for the occupational levels
were too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay rates
by all facilities and states surveyed For the same reason anal-
ysis of the average age by state for HTLs was not performed
Laboratory Assistants
On average LA staff members make a mean (SD)
hourly wage of $1645 ($378 Figure 7) Outpatient clinic
laboratories pay the most for staff LAs at $1750 per hour
Academic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds pay the highest at
$3385
$2855
$2655
$2623
$2579
$2545
$2538
$2537
$2503
$2492
$2482
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Physic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
al PathologistClinic scientist laboratory
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Clinic-based histology laboratory
Hospital 300-499 beds
Hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Average Hourly Wage for All HT Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 11 Average hourly wage of all histotechnician (HT) respondents by facility
Table 5Average Annual Salaries for Histotechnicians by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Histotechnician Hourly Wage
California $3081
Arizona $2679
Georgia $2675
Texas $2643
Pennsylvania $2512
Illinois $2481
Tennessee $2462
Florida $2443
Minnesota $2438
Wisconsin $2418
Michigan $2347
North Carolina $2339
Ohio $2301
New York $2247
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 343DOI 101093ajcpaqw220343Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
$1641 per hour and academic hospitals with 300 to 499
beds pay the lowest at $1575 per hour Results of the wage
difference between the other laboratory facilities for staff
LAs do not allow for statistically significant comparisons
Results indicate they have an average age of 4096 years
LA leads earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $1782 ($381
Figure 7) The average annual wages of LAs by job level are
listed in Table 2 On average leads are 4144 years old
Overall all LA respondents are paid the highest in out-
patient clinic laboratories at $1789 per hour and the least in
academic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds at $1690 and aca-
demic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $1661 The average
age for all LA respondents is 4107 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8)
LA respondents are mostly found in the following de-
partments with the corresponding average hourly pay all
multiple departments $1759 phlebotomy $1668 and
specimen processing $1637 Results show that LAs have
an average of 1126 years of total experience working in the
field and have worked in their current position for an aver-
age of 754 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Results of the wage difference between laboratory fa-
cilities and states for LA leads managers and supervisors
do not allow for statistically significant comparisons For
the same reason analysis of the average age by state for
LAs was not performed
Medical Laboratory TechniciansClinical Laboratory
Technicians
The national mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level
MLTsCLTs is $2089 ($454 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff
are highest in government facilities at $2185 per hour and
lowest at academic hospitals with less than 100 beds at
$1989 per hour Figure 12 The average age of staff MLTs
CLTs is 4012 years By state Indiana has the oldest staff at
4381 years with the youngest in Alabama at 3675 years
Figure 13 The overall sample size (lt30) for this occupa-
tional level was too small for meaningful statistical analysis
of pay rates by all facilities surveyed
Lead MLTsCLTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$2355 ($531 Figure 7) Results indicate they have an aver-
age age of 4339 years The mean (SD) hourly wage for
MLTCLT supervisors is $2533 ($650 Figure 7) The av-
erage age for this group is 4523 years MLTCLT managers
earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3175 ($647 Figure 7)
The average annual wages of MLTsCLT by job level are
listed in Table 2 The age of managers averages 4800 years
Community-based facilities show the highest hourly pay
rate at $2239 and academic hospitals with fewer than 100
beds show the lowest at $2030 for all MLTCLTs Figure 14
$2185
$2119
$2118
$2117
$2115
$2114
$2102
$2084
$2076
$2074
$2035
$1990
$1989
$1850 $1900 $1950 $2000 $2050 $2100 $2150 $2200
Government
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos office laboratory
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Public health laboratory
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff MLTCLT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 12 Average hourly wage of staff medical laboratory techniciansclinical laboratory technicians (MLTsCLTs) by facility
Table 6Average Annual Salaries for Histotechnologists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Histotechnologist Hourly Wage
California $3570
New York $3208
Florida $2833
Pennsylvania $2695
Texas $2615
North Carolina $2610
Illinois $2527
Michigan $2282
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
344 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology344 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
438
1
430
0
428
8
425
1
424
9
424
7
415
5
408
4
404
1
403
5
397
4
395
7
394
9
391
9
391
3
387
8
386
4
384
6
383
5
383
2
378
8
375
6
367
5
32
34
36
38
40
42
44
46A
ve
rag
e A
ge
(y)
States
Figure 13 Average ages for staff medical laboratory techniciansclinical laboratory technicians (MLTsCLSs) by state Sample
size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons
$2239
$2186
$2178
$2155
$2151
$2150
$2133
$2130
$2114
$2112
$2099
$2049
$2030
$1900 $1950 $2000 $2050 $2100 $2150 $2200 $2250
Community-based
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonp t
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for all MLTCLT Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 14 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory technicianclinical laboratory technician (MLTCLT) respondents by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 345DOI 101093ajcpaqw220345Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
The average age for all MLTCLT respondents is 4101 years
younger than the national average (Figure 8)
According to survey results the blood bank department
paid MLTsCLTs the highest at an average of $2328 per hour
and allmultiple departments the lowest at $2064 per hour
Figure 15 Geographically MLTsCLTs regardless of posi-
tion level are paid significantly higher wages in California
and lowest in Alabama Table 7 Overall MLTsCLTs have
an average of 1214 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and have been working in their current title for 887
years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities de-
partment and states for leads supervisors managers and
directors was not performed due to the small sample size
(lt30) of each level For the same reason average age by
state was not analyzed
Medical Laboratory ScientistsMedical Technologists
Clinical Laboratory Scientists
Staff-level MLSsMTsCLSs are paid a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $2790 ($678 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff
are highest at government facilities at $2990 per hour
and lowest at physiciansrsquo office laboratories (POLs) at
$2502 per hour Figure 16 The mean age for staff MLSs
MTsCLSs is 4196 years Geographically MLTsCLTs
are the oldest in New Hampshire and the youngest in South
Dakota Figure 17
$2328 $2308
$2260
$2149 $2133 $2129 $2119
$2064
$1900
$1950
$2000
$2050
$2100
$2150
$2200
$2250
$2300
$2350
Ave
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Departments
Figure 15 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) medical laboratory technicianclinical labora-
tory technician (MLTCLT) respondents by department
Table 7Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Technicians
Clinical Laboratory Technicians by State From Highest to
Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory Technician
Clinical Laboratory Technician Hourly Wage
California $2927
Massachusetts $2526
Washington $2460
New York $2449
Maryland $2428
Arizona $2367
Colorado $2305
Minnesota $2265
Pennsylvania $2239
Nebraska $2193
Virginia $2188
Wisconsin $2156
Indiana $2120
Illinois $2120
Ohio $2101
Georgia $2076
Iowa $2074
Texas $2060
Michigan $2055
Kentucky $2041
Tennessee $2020
Missouri $2014
Kansas $1996
North Carolina $1857
Mississippi $1808
South Carolina $1787
Alabama $1775
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
346 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology346 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
MLSMTCLS leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3154 ($735 Figure 7) Academic hospitals with 300 to
499 beds pay a significantly high hourly rate for lead MLSs
MTsCLSs compared with all facilities surveyed at $3335
The facility providing the lowest pay is the POL at $2771 per
hour Figure 18 They have an average age of 4597 years
MLSMTCLS supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly
rate of $3343 ($900 Figure 7) Results indicate that refer-
enceindependent laboratories pay the highest hourly wage
at $3622 whereas POLs pay $2871 per hour Figure 19
This group has an average age of 4834 years
The mean (SD) hourly wage for MLSMTCLS managers
is $3313 ($952 Figure 7) Pay rates for managers are highest
at referenceindependent laboratories at $4463 per hour fol-
lowed by academic hospitals with over 500 beds at $4242
nonacademic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $4130 nonac-
ademic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds at $4041 POLs at
$3653 and academic hospitals with fewer than 100 beds
at $3125 per hour Results indicate that managers have an
average age of 5017 years
MLSMTCLS directors earn a mean (SD) hourly wage
of $3799 ($1519 Figure 7) The average annual wages of
MLSsMTsCLSs by job level are listed in Table 2
Directors have an average age of 5186 years
MLSMTCLS respondents regardless of level are
paid the lowest in blood centers at $2623 per hour and
highest in government facilities at $3279 per hour
Figure 20 The average age for all MLSMTCLS re-
spondents is 4436 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8)
Survey results indicate that the LIS-QA-PI department
pays the highest at $3516 and the generalists department
pays the lowest at $2791 on average per hour Figure 21
The top 10 highest-paying states for all MLSMTCLS
levels are California Nevada Oregon Massachusetts
Connecticut Washington New York Arizona Minnesota
and Colorado Table 8 According to survey results MLSs
MTsCLSs have an average of 1596 years of total experience
in the laboratory field and have been working in their current
occupational title for 1038 years (Figures 9 and 10)
$2990
$2870
$2861
$2848
$2834
$2821
$2816
$2807
$2790
$2784
$2779
$2776
$2752
$2697
$2656
$2635
$2579
$2502
$22 $23 $24 $25 $26 $27 $28 $29 $30
Government
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Private industry
Reference
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Military VA VHA
Nonp t
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Blood center
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Staff MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 16 Average hourly wage of staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 347DOI 101093ajcpaqw220347Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
The overall sample size (lt30) for all occupational lev-
els was too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay
rates by all facilities and departments surveyed For the
same reason average age by state for leads supervisors and
directors was not analyzed
Molecular Biologists
The mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level MBs is
$2745 ($828 Figure 7) According to survey results staff
MBs have an average age of 3841 years
Lead-level MBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3465
($844 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4341 years
MB supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3866 ($1233
Figure 7) The average annual wages of MBs by job level are
listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervisors have an aver-
age age of 4216 years and managers of 3896 years
Most of the MB respondents are found in the molecular
pathology (pathgen) department and are paid an average
hourly wage of $2963 The average age for all MB respon-
dents is 4004 years which is younger than the national av-
erage (Figure 8) According to survey results MBs have
849 total years of experience working in the laboratory
field and an average of 556 years working in their current
occupational title the least number of years of experience
and working in their current title among all the groups sur-
veyed (Figures 9 and 10)
Results regarding the wage differences between
laboratory facilities and states for MBs do not allow for
480
5
467
9
463
9
455
2
454
7
454
0
452
3
450
6
449
8
447
6
443
6
438
9
436
3
436
1
435
0
434
2
431
0
426
8
425
6
424
3
422
8
422
0
420
8
418
8
418
4
417
2
415
7
411
7
408
8
407
0
402
1
401
3
401
2
397
2
396
2
390
6
387
2
377
1
371
2
369
7
360
0
359
3
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50A
ve
rag
e A
ge
(y)
States
Figure 17 Average ages for staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists (MLSsMTs
CLSs) by state Sample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
348 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology348 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
statistically significant comparisons because respondents
in the survey had a small sample size For the same
reason average ages by state of each level were not
analyzed
Pathologistsrsquo Assistants
The mean (SD) national hourly wage for staff-level
PAs is $4330 ($1291 Figure 7) The mean age for staff
PAs is 3783 years
$3335
$3314
$3301
$3282
$3229
$3205
$3197
$3197
$3130
$3035
$3018
$2937
$2914
$2771
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Military VA VHA
No t
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Average Hourly Wage for Lead MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 18 Average hourly wage of lead medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
$3622
$3563
$3558
$3473
$3456
$3354
$3152
$2871
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35 $40
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Supervisor MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 19 Average hourly wage of supervisor medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 349DOI 101093ajcpaqw220349Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Lead PAs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $4781
($827 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4226 years The
mean (SD) hourly wage for PA supervisors is $5158
($1088 Figure 7) The average annual wages of PAs by
job level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervi-
sors have an average age of 4107 years and managers of
4706 years
PA respondents were mostly found in the anatomic pa-
thology departments which pays them an average salary of
$4312 per hour According to survey results PAs are the
youngest laboratory professionals with an average age of
3947 years which is younger than the national average
(Figure 8) Overall PAs have an average of 1058 total years
of experience in the laboratory field and 794 years in their
current title (Figures 9 and 10)
We did not perform analysis of wage data by facility
and state for PAs because the results would provide statisti-
cally insignificant values due to the small sample size For
the same reason average ages by state of each level were
not analyzed
Performance Improvement or Quality Assurance
The mean (SD) hourly wage for PI or QA staff is
$3837 ($913 Figure 7) The average age of staff PI or QA
is 4902 years Manager-level PI or QA staff are paid a
mean (SD) hourly rate of $4225 ($1042 Figure 7) The av-
erage annual wages of PI or QA staff by job level are listed
in Table 2 The mean age for managers is 4674 years
The department where most PI or QA personnel were
found is the LIS-QA-PI This department pays an average
hourly wage of $3378 Results indicate that leads have an
average age of 4593 years supervisors 4877 years and di-
rectors 5670 years The average age for all PI or QA re-
spondents is 4864 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8) According to survey results PI or QA
staff have an average of 1291 years of total experience in
the laboratory field and 692 years working in their current
occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of overall mean hourly wage for leads supervi-
sors and directors as well as average hourly wages paid by
facilities and states for PI or QA staff was not performed due
$3279
$3064
$3002
$2998
$2981
$2929
$2922
$2918
$2908
$2906
$2904
$2878
$2855
$2804
$2801
$2785
$2783
$2775
$2769
$2640
$2623
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Government
Military VA VHA
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Reference
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonp t
Community-based
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Public health laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Private industry
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Blood center
Average Hourly Wage for All MLSMTCLS Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 20 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
350 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology350 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
to the small sample size (lt30) of each level For the same rea-
son average ages by state of each level were not analyzed
Phlebotomists
Staff PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1497
($342 Figure 7) Results indicate that academic hospitals
with over 500 beds pay the highest hourly wage at $1584
and that hospitals with fewer than 100 beds pay the lowest
hourly wage at $1375 Figure 22 The overall sample size
(lt30) for this occupational level was too small for meaning-
ful statistical analysis of pay rates by all institutions sur-
veyed The data indicate that the average age for staff PBTs
is 4179 years
Lead PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1696
($344 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4322 years PBT man-
agers earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $2108 ($701 Figure
7) The average annual wages of PBTs by job level are listed
in Table 2 This group has an average age of 4428 years
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities for
leads supervisors managers and directors was not per-
formed due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level
But overall academic hospitals with over 500 beds pay the
highest hourly wage at $1635 and academic hospitals with
less than 100 beds at $1413 for PBTs Figure 23
Geographically PBTs regardless of position level are paid
a significantly higher wage in Washington State and lowest
in Michigan Table 9
Most PBT respondents are found in the phlebotomy and
allmultiple departments They are paid an average hourly
wage of $1546 and $1527 respectively The average age
for all PBT respondents is 4212 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8) Overall PBTs have an
average of 1160 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and 824 years working in their current title (Figures 9
and 10)
Analysis of the average age for PBT managers and directors
was not performed due to the small sample size For the same
reason analysis of average age by state was not performed
Specialists in Blood Banking
Staff-level SBBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $2851
($946 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4558 years
SBB leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3105
($610 Figure 7) Data indicate that the average age for lead
SBBs is 4242 years SBB supervisors earn a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $3443 ($637 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4924
years The mean (SD) hourly wage for SBB managers is $4505
($996 Figure 7) The average annual wages of SBBs by job
level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that the average age
for managers is 4979 years while directors are at 5171 years
Most SBB respondents are found in the blood bank de-
partment which pays them an average hourly wage of
$3137 The average age for all SBB respondents is 4767
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
$3516
$3211 $3106 $3099 $3031 $3002 $3001 $2981 $2908 $2845 $2834 $2791
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40A
ve
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Figure 21 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by department
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 351DOI 101093ajcpaqw220351Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Results show that SBBs have an average of 1700 years of
total experience working in the field and have been working
in their current title for 872 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility and state as well as
average age by state for SBBs was not performed because
the results would provide statistically insignificant values
For the same reason average ages by state of each level
were not analyzed
Administration
The mean (SD) hourly wage for administration man-
agers is $4315 ($1101 Figure 7) The average age of man-
agers is 5157 years Administration directors earn a mean
(SD) hourly wage of $5910 ($2122 Figure 7) The average
annual wages of administrative personnel by job level are
listed in Table 2 Data indicate that the average age for di-
rectors is 5504 years
Administrative personnel are the oldest group of labora-
tory professionals with an overall average age of 5362
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
Overall administrative personnel have an average of 1606
total years of experience in the laboratory field and 952
years in their current occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was not performed
Laboratory Information Systems
Staff-level LIS personnel are paid a mean (SD) hourly
wage of $3361 ($704 Figure 7) The mean age for LIS
staff is 4820 years
Leads have an average age of 5167 years supervisors
5263 years and managers 5067 years The average age for
all LIS respondents is 4973 years which is older than the
national average (Figure 8) According to survey results
LIS personnel have an average of 1470 years of total expe-
rience in the laboratory field and have been working in their
current title for 859 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was performed
Summary
Compared with the 2013 ASCP wage survey salaries are
up for all staff-level laboratory professionals except PBTs and
PAs who have a ndash40 and ndash650 change in annual hourly
wage respectively Table 10 The annual hourly wages for
leads were also up in 2015 except for CTs (ndash130) and
SBBs (ndash331) Table 11 Supervisorsrsquo annual hourly wages
however are down except for MLTsCLTs PAs and MLSs
MTsCLSs at 1210 583 and 187 respectively
Table 12 Manager- and director-level comparisons were not
conducted due to small sample size LAs and PBTs regardless
of level continue to have lower salaries while PAs and
administration personnel have higher salaries than the rest of
the laboratory professions surveyed
Table 8Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Scientists
Medical TechnologistsClinical Laboratory Scientists by State
From Highest to Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory ScientistMedical
TechnologistClinical Laboratory Scientist Hourly Wage
California $4620
Nevada $3494
Oregon $3324
Massachusetts $3262
Connecticut $3253
Washington $3190
New York $3087
Arizona $3082
Minnesota $3060
Colorado $3054
New Jersey $3020
New Hampshire $2999
Maryland $2933
Georgia $2881
Idaho $2814
Montana $2795
Kansas $2753
New Mexico $2737
Missouri $2735
South Carolina $2729
Pennsylvania $2728
Wisconsin $2725
Florida $2710
Kentucky $2697
Virginia $2697
Indiana $2694
Ohio $2687
Illinois $2683
Texas $2682
Nebraska $2679
Michigan $2615
Maine $2605
Tennessee $2597
Oklahoma $2589
Louisiana $2585
Iowa $2579
West Virginia $2568
North Carolina $2499
Utah $2487
Mississippi $2461
North Dakota $2458
Alabama $2457
Arkansas $2444
South Dakota $2441
Puerto Rico $1526
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
352 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology352 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Although salaries appear to have increased over time
for the overall profession there is not a considerable differ-
ence between the average hourly wages of laboratory pro-
fessionals working as they accumulate more years of
experience in the field Table 13 For example the average
hourly wage for HTs for the first 5 years is $2277 It was
found that HTs received a pay raise after 6 to 10 years of
work experience earning an average of $2525 per hour
However it appears that there is a wage cap around $2800
per hour for HTs with more than 16 years of experience
$1635
$1607
$1575
$1565
$1506
$1498
$1488
$1483
$1413
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600 $1650
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Overall Hourly Wage for PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 23 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) phlebotomist (PBT) respondents by facility
$1584
$1557
$1548
$1476
$1468
$1466
$1465
$1450
$1426
$1375
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonp t
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 22 Average hourly wage of staff phlebotomists (PBTs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 353DOI 101093ajcpaqw220353Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
For MLTsCLTs the average hourly wage is $1889 for the
first 5 years of experience While MLTsCLTs tended to re-
ceive an increased hourly wage for every 5 years of work
experience those working for 36 to 40 years only earn
$718 per hour more than those with 0 to 5 years of experi-
ence On average PBTs earn $1361 per hour for 0 to 5
years of experience with an average of approximately
$100 for every 5 years of experience The survey has also
revealed a potential wage cap around $1800 per hour for
PBTs with more than 20 years of experience
This year we also looked at the average wage of labo-
ratory professionals based on age and found that salaries
continue to increase considerably for every age range except
LAs and PBTs Table 14 MLSsMTsCLSs aged 55 years
and older experience a wage cap at $3282
In addition to analyzing wages this survey also asked
questions to gain an in-depth perspective on the laboratory
workforce The US Department of Laborrsquos Bureau of Labor
Statistics reported that the job outlook for medical and
clinical laboratory technologists and technicians between
2014 and 2024 is expected to grow 16 which is faster
than the average rate1 Figure 8 suggests strategic focus on
recruitment and supports the results of the ASCP 2014
Vacancy Survey (httpajcpascpjournalsorgcontent
1443432fullpdf) on filling the upcoming vacancies
Results show that laboratory professionals are aging and
therefore the field needs to fill the vacancies with
qualified laboratory professionals There is also a need for
recruiting younger laboratory professionals because ac-
cording to the survey results the youngest group are the
PAs with an average age of 3947 years Recruitment
Table 9Average Annual Salaries for Phlebotomists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Phlebotomist Hourly Wage
Washington $1839
Massachusetts $1819
Minnesota $1807
Oregon $1778
Maryland $1720
New York $1639
Virginia $1628
Wisconsin $1610
Montana $1607
Pennsylvania $1586
Illinois $1570
Colorado $1523
Texas $1505
North Carolina $1449
South Carolina $1444
Florida $1428
Indiana $1406
Ohio $1404
Georgia $1377
Missouri $1361
Tennessee $1332
Michigan $1325
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Table 10Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Staff
Between 2013 and 2015a
Staff 2015 2013 Change
CG $3110 $2863 86
CT $3239 $3145 30
MLSMTCLS $2790 $2713 28
LA $1645 $1603 26
MLTCLT $2089 $2049 20
HT $2441 $2396 19
MB $2745 $2696 18
SBB $2851 $2807 15
HTL $2682 $2663 07
PBT $1497 $1560 40
PA $4330 $4632 65
PI or QA $3837 NA NA
LIS $3361 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 11Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Leads
Between 2013 and 2015a
Lead 2015 2013 Change
CG $3551 $3222 1022
HTL $3051 $2876 607
MLTCLT $2355 $2238 522
HT $2801 $2681 448
MLSMTCLS $3154 $3081 236
PBT $1696 $1671 149
CT $3474 $3520 130
SBB $3105 $3211 331
LA $1782 NA NA
MB $3465 NA NA
PA $4781 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 12Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for
Supervisors Between 2013 and 2015a
Supervisor 2015 2013 Change
MLTCLT $2533 $2260 1210
PA $5158 $4874 583
MLSMTCLS $3343 $3282 187
SBB $3443 $3444 ndash004
CT $3695 $3709 ndash038
HTL $3191 $3241 ndash155
HT $3073 $3129 ndash180
CG $3863 $3995 ndash332
MB $3866 NA NA
PBT $2108 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
354 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology354 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
should focus on the following occupational titles CT
HTL MLSMTCLS PI or QA SBB administration and
LIS as their average ages are higher compared with the
national average (Figure 8)
In addition to recruitment retention warrants the same
focus According to Rex Famitangco2 chair of the ASCP
Council of Laboratory Professionals (CLP) ldquoStriving to re-
tain quality staff is a vital part of maintaining a laboratoryrsquos
Table 13Total Years of Experience at Current Occupational Title by Average Hourly Wagea
Time in Current Title y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PA PBT
0-5 $2620 $2833 $2277 $2469 $1516 $1889 $2527 $2621 $4300 $1361
6-10 $3007 $3093 $2525 $2772 $1700 $2089 $2798 $2991 $4489 $1469
11-15 $3304 $3215 $2657 $2952 $1745 $2209 $2979 NA $4693 $1662
16-20 $3593 $3579 $2871 NA NA $2366 $3050 NA NA $1725
21-25 $3718 $3681 $2883 NA NA $2412 $3155 NA NA $1827
26-30 $3835 $3834 $2825 $3279 NA $2512 $3257 NA NA $1810
31-35 NA $3580 NA NA NA $2588 $3308 NA NA NA
36-40 NA $3585 NA NA NA $2607 $3316 NA NA NA
41thorn NA NA NA NA NA $3281 $3281 NA NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PI or QA staff were not included due to its small sample size
Table 14Age by Average Hourly Wagea
Age y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PBT
18-24 NA NA NA NA NA $1760 $2270 NA $1316
25-34 $2823 $2881 $2330 $2446 $1677 $1945 $2545 $2591 $1439
35-44 $3203 $3236 $2575 $2867 $1700 $2085 $2861 $3033 $1508
45-54 $3631 $3449 $2720 $2890 $1704 $2296 $3120 NA $1609
55-64 NA $3703 $2751 $3206 $1794 $2465 $3282 NA $1737
65-74 NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
75thorn NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PAs were not included due to its small sample size
Table 15Percent of Responses per BenefitPerk Offered by Institution
Perks Offered by Institution Total of Responses per Category
Medicalvision benefits 8818
Dental benefits 8469
Pensionretirement benefits 6704
Free or convenient employee parking 6688
Premium pay for overtime holidays and weekends 5947
Paying for continuing education 3957
Paying for tuition 3885
Flexible work hours 2497
Miscellaneous bonuses (eg tied to work company performance etc) 2485
Bonuses not directly tied to work (including holidays and profit-sharing bonuses) 2299
On-call pay 1961
Paying for certifications or qualifications 1720
Monetary bonus (eg sign-on bonus referral bonus miscellaneous bonuses) 1684
Transportation allowances 1174
Paying for professional memberships 1035
Daycare 780
Uniform allowances 700
Laptop or tablet 682
Providing a company phone for you 546
Free or subsidized room and board 086
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 355DOI 101093ajcpaqw220355Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
functionalityrdquo Employee development such as training
continuing education and mentoring can prove beneficial in
retaining staff2 Survey respondents were asked about the
benefits and perks they receive from their institution
and medicaldentalvision pensionretirement overtime
holidayweekends and employee parking were the top
fringe benefits they receive Paying for continuing educa-
tion certifications professional memberships and day care
were among the benefits that are not provided to many labo-
ratory professionals Table 15
Last this survey asked the respondents to provide com-
ments after the completion of the survey We received a total
of 2230 comments and found that 2762 addressed being un-
derpaidunderappreciated 2166 of them addressed the need
for increased wages andraises 1493 provided suggestions
for future surveys 3018 expressed appreciation for the
opportunity this survey provides in giving the laboratory pro-
fessionals a platform to encourage advocacy and 561 were
categorized as ldquoOtherrdquo Institutions are encouraged to take into
consideration laboratory professionalsrsquo compensation and base
their pay on level of education training years of experience
and cost of living as well as making their pay comparable to
other allied health professionals with higher salaries
Corresponding author Edna Garcia MPH 1225 New York Ave
NW Ste 350 Washington DC 20009 ednagarciaascporg
Contributors Carter Ainsworth ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Andrea Bennett MPH
MT (ASCP) ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp Policy
Washington DC Matthew Schulze ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Patricia Tanabe MPA
MLS (ASCP)CM ASCP Board of Certification Chicago IL and
Elizabeth Waibel MPH ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp
Policy Washington DC
Reviewers Mark Bailey MA HTL (ASCP)CM The University
of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Alexandra
Brown MD FASCP ASCP Institute of Science Technology and
Policy Washington DC Lynnette G Chakkaphak MS MT
(ASCP) St Vincentrsquos HealthCare Jacksonville FL Vicki S
Freeman PhD MASCP MLS (ASCP)CM SCCM FACB The
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Jack A Hager
MT (ASCP) SBB Oregon Health and Science University
Portland Rex F Famitangco MS MLS (ASCP)CM QLC MT
(AMT) CLC AHI Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff Carlo Joseph Ledesma MT (ASCP) Rose State
College Midwest City OK and Babatunde Oloyede PhD MLS
(ASCP) Federal Medical Center Durham NC
References
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbookhttpwwwblsgovoohhealthcaremedical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicianshtm Accessed July 182016
2 Famitangco R Investing in employees investing in the futureCrit Values 2016910-12
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
356 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology356 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
May 28 2015 via Key Survey (an online survey tool
HighRoad Solution Ashburn VA) The survey was closed
on July 19 2015 To maximize survey response this survey
used snowball sampling in which respondents were asked
to forward the invitation e-mail to other individuals who are
currently practicing in the field The ASCP also collected
information on those who were disqualified from this yearrsquos
wage survey (ie clinical laboratory educator retired unem-
ployed working in laboratory-related industry working in a
non-laboratory-related industry working in a research labo-
ratory) for future research studies
The majority of the initial e-mail recipient list derived
from the ASCP database included the following
bull Individuals within the United States andor US territories
who currently have a certification through the ASCP
BOC
bull Individuals within the United States andor US territories
who currently do not hold certification through the
ASCP BOC
bull Individuals who have taken relevant continuing medical
education (CME) coursework through the ASCP
bull Individuals who have participated in relevant CME
coursework but are not ASCP BOC certified
The following partnering entities also participated in the
survey deployment
bull AABB (formerly the American Association of Blood
Banks)
bull American Association for Clinical Chemistrybull American Medical Technologistsbull American Society for Clinical Laboratory Sciencebull American Society of Cytopathologybull American Society for Cytotechnologybull American Society for Microbiologybull Clinical Laboratory Management Associationbull National Society for Histotechnologybull Philippine Association of Medical TechnologistsndashUSA
The 2015 wage survey sought to collect staff- lead- super-
visor- manager- and laboratory directorndashlevel data on the
following clinical laboratory occupations
bull Administrationbull Cytogenetic technologist (CG)bull Cytotechnologist (CT)bull Histotechnician (HT)bull Histotechnologist (HTL)bull Laboratory assistant (LA)bull Laboratory information system (LIS) professionalbull Medical laboratory technicianclinical laboratory techni-
cian (MLTCLT)
bull Medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclini-
cal laboratory scientist (MLSMTCLS)
bull Molecular biologist (MB)bull Pathologistsrsquo assistant (PA)
bull Performance improvement or quality assurance
(PIQA)
bull Phlebotomist (PBT)bull Point of care (POC)bull Specialist in blood banking (SBB)
Clinical laboratory occupations that were newly surveyed
this year are shown in bold POC was included in the survey
but the overall sample sizes (lt30) were too small for mean-
ingful statistical analysis
This yearrsquos wage survey collected data on wages by
clinical laboratory occupation included in the survey wages
by facility department certification state total years of ex-
perience and age New questions added involved asking the
respondents from what budget their salaries are paid and
demographics such as age sex and ethnicity Although this
survey excluded clinical educators and those not actively
working in a clinical laboratory consideration was given to
whether a separate survey would be needed for that group
Key Findings
A total of 16661 responses were received in this yearrsquos
wage survey This shows a 2133 increase in participation
compared with the 2013 wage survey Demographic data
collected indicate that 8096 of the respondents are female
and 1904 are male Figure 1 and Figure 2 show the
percentage distribution of all survey respondents by ethnic-
ity and level of education respectively The average age of
laboratory personnel who responded to the survey is 4395
years compared with 4432 years in 2013
Table 1 details the total number and percentage of re-
spondents by occupational title By occupational level the
percent distribution of respondents is staff (6199) lead
(1478) supervisor (1136) manager (701) director
(372) and other (114) The following top 10 states pro-
vided most of the survey responses Texas (759)
California (579) Minnesota (451) Ohio (446) New
York (434) Illinois (426) Pennsylvania (403)
Florida (399) Wisconsin (348) and North Carolina
(347) Results indicated that most laboratory personnel
currently have one employer (8736) followed by two
employers (936) and over three employers (328) within
the medical laboratory field Most laboratory professionals
who responded to the survey have full-time permanent posi-
tions (8846) followed by part-time (792) PRN (pro re
nata) on call or as needed (167) per diem (109) and
full-timetemporary contract (086) Those who reported
working as full-timetemporary contract personnel were either
traveling laboratory professionals or subcontractors
Most of the participants (5558) indicated that they
had received their clinical training from a National
Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences ac-
credited or approved training program whereas 2513
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
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by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
selected ldquoon-the-job trainingrdquo 456 selected Commission
on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
282 selected military 266 selected Accrediting Bureau
of Health Education Schools and 925 selected ldquodonrsquot
knowotherrdquo The survey sought information on the type of
facility in which a participant is primarily employed Figure
3 as well as the department that best fits his or her employ-
ment Figure 4 Most respondents are employed in aca-
demic and nonacademic hospital facilities and are
generalists or work in multiple departments
Of all the respondents 2160 are licensed by the state
in which they currently work as a laboratory professional
Licensed respondents are mostly from California and the
least are from Washington DC The survey gathered data
on laboratory professionals in states and territories that re-
quire licensure California Florida Georgia Hawaii
Louisiana Montana Nevada New York North Dakota
Rhode Island Tennessee Washington DC West Virginia
and Puerto Rico Figure 5
Overall 728 of respondents reported being represented
by a union at their place of employment Most of the respon-
dents are represented by Service Employees International
Union 1199 (5248) followed by federal union (2886)
Table 1Total Number () of Responses by Occupational Titlea
Occupational Title No ()
MLSMTCLS 8601 (5162)
MLTCLT 2483 (1490)
PBT 1077 (646)
HT 772 (463)
CT 554 (333)
HTL 542 (325)
CG 511 (307)
Other 451 (271)
PA 286 (172)
LA 278 (167)
SBB 227 (136)
PI or QA 212 (127)
MB 210 (126)
Administration 210 (126)
Pathologist 95 (057)
LIS 93 (056)
Point of care 59 (035)
Total 16661 (10000)
CG cytogenetic technologist CT cytotechnologist HT histotechnician HTL histo-
technologist LA laboratory assistant LIS laboratory information systems MLT
CLT medical laboratory technicianclinical laboratory technician MLSMTCLS
medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist MB
molecular biologist PA pathologistsrsquo assistant PI or QA performance improvement
or quality assurance PBT phlebotomist SBB specialist in blood bankingaPercentage distribution of all survey respondents
167
709
1761
5911
1227
220
High schoolGED
College credit not equivalent to a degree
Associates degree
Bachelors degree
Masters degree
MD DO PhD or other advanced degree
Figure 2 Percent distribution of all survey respondents by
level of education
091
783
759
7574
536
041216
American Indian or Alaska Native
Asian
Black or African American
Caucausian
Hispanic or Latino
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
Other
Figure 1 Percent distribution of all survey respondents by
ethnicity
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
336 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology336 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
United Food and Commercial Workers (711) University
Professional and Technical Employees (671) and United
University Professions (483) The new question added this
yearmdashldquoFrom which budget is your salary paidrdquomdashrevealed
that salaries mainly come from the laboratory general budget
as part of the hospital or organization Figure 6
This year comparison between certified and noncerti-
fied laboratory personnel was not performed because the
low sample size of noncertified compared with certified in-
dividuals provided an inaccurate comparison
Cytogenetic Technologists
The national mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level
CGs is $3110 ($859) Figure 7 Staff CGs are aged 4069
years on average
CG leads earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3551
($729 Figure 7) On average leads are aged 4370 years
CG supervisors are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3863
($945 Figure 7) The average annual wages of CGs by job
level are listed in Table 2 On average supervisor-level
CGs are aged 4606 years
The highest paying type of facility for all CGs is private
industries at an average of $3277 per hour followed by aca-
demic hospitals with more than 500 beds at $3229 and refer-
enceindependent laboratories that pay an hourly wage of
$3160 The average age for all CG respondents is 4212
years which is younger than the national average Figure 8
This survey also looked at average wage by department
Most CG respondents work in the cytogenetics department
and are paid $3249 per hour The highest paying state for
all CG levels is California and the lowest paying state is
North Carolina Table 3 On average a CG has 1395 total
years of experience working in the laboratory field and 995
average years of working in his or her current occupational
title Figure 9 and Figure 10
The sample size (lt30) for each occupational level was
too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay rates by
all facilities and states surveyed For the same reason analy-
sis of the average age by state for CGs was not performed
1495
1119
876
824
754
751
626
505
396
359
337
263
250
239
208
172
156
128
118
106
097
088
061
043
020
010
00 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Physicians office laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Nonprofit
Military VA VHA
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Private industry
Community-based
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Other
Government
Blood center
Education
Reference
Public health laboratory
Clinic-based histology laboratory
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Veterinary
Academic health centersmdashoutpatient
Percentage of Employees
Fa
cil
ity
Ty
pe
Ch
ara
cte
ris
tic
Figure 3 Percentage of respondents by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 337DOI 101093ajcpaqw220337Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
1971
1659
840
663
645
635
555
535
444
366
297
295
265
226
167
116
084
082
079
045
029
000 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000
Generalists
AllMultiple departments
MicrobiologyVirology
Core laboratory
Blood bank
Phlebotomy
Histology
Anatomic pathology
HematologyCoagulation
Chemistry toxicology
Other
Cytogenetics
Cytology
Molecular pathology
LIS-QA-PI
Immunology
Flow cytometry
Specimen processing
Point of care
HLA
Sendouts
Percentage of Employees
Dep
art
men
t
Figure 4 Percentage of respondents by department HLA human leukocyte antigen LIS laboratory information system PI
performance improvement QA quality assurance
2285
2065
1718
1109
720
478
306 295 247 245175 170
114 075
0
5
10
15
20
25
Lic
en
se
d R
esp
on
de
nts
(
)
Licensure StateTerritory
Figure 5 Licensed respondents currently working as a laboratory professional by state (nfrac143598)
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
338 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology338 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
6920
1770
695253 192 110 060
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Laboratorygeneral budgetas part of the
hospital ororganization
I dont know Privatelaboratory
Medical group(pathologists)
Other Government University
Dis
trib
uti
on
(
)
Budget Where Salaries Are Paid
Figure 6 Budget where salaries are paid
$311
0
$323
9
$244
1
$268
2
$164
5
$208
9
$279
0
$274
5
$433
0
$383
7
$149
7 $
285
1
$336
1
$355
1
$347
4
$280
1
$305
1
$178
2
$235
5
$315
4
$346
5 $478
1
$169
6 $
310
5
$386
3
$369
5
$307
3
$319
1
$253
3
$334
3
$386
6 $515
8
$210
8 $344
3
$436
3
$421
1
$401
9
$317
5
$331
3
$422
5
$450
5
$431
5
$379
9
$591
0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Ave
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Occupational Title
Staff
Lead
Supervisor
Manager
Director
Figure 7 Average hourly wage for laboratory staff lead supervisormanager and director positions per occupational title
Sample sizes for some occupational levels were less than 30 and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons For defi-
nitions of abbreviations see Table 1
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
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by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Cytotechnologists
Staff-level CTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3239 ($636 Figure 7) Pay rates per hour for staff are
highest in reference and independent laboratories at
$3355 Academic hospitals with more than 500 beds
and nonacademic hospitals pay $3180 and $3162
respectively The facilities providing the lowest hourly pay
for staff-level CTs are nonacademic hospitals with 0 to 99
beds at $3095 The overall sample size (lt30) for this oc-
cupational level was too small for meaningful statistical
analysis of pay rates by all facilities surveyed Therefore
we report data from only certain facilities According to
Table 2Average Annual Wages by Occupational Title and Levela
Occupational Title
Average Annual Wagesb
Staff Lead Supervisor Manager Director
CG $5956084 $7386766 $8034000 c c
CT $6594283 $7226482 $8616969 $9097138 c
HT $5743858 $5826184 $6987010 $8759371 c
HTL $6091316 $6345144 $7837016 $8359339 c
LA $3421184 $3705832 c c c
LIS $6990646 c c c c
MLTCLT $3973288 $4898192 $5730647 $6603707 c
MLSMTCLS $5738277 $6496662 $7659477 $8326301 $9699018
MB $5421433 $7207803 $8042337 c c
PA $9179712 $9946157 $10728774 c c
PI or QA $7980960 c $8829600 c c
PBT $3114238 $3527514 $4384286 c c
SBB $5929040 $6457922 $7486350 $9370968 c
Administration c c c $8976237 $12283348
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1bSome annual wages listed were made equivalent to a full-time salarycSample size constraints prevented further analysis of wage rate
5362
49734864 4767 4759 4660
4518 4436 43984212 4212
4107 4101 4004 3947
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Ave
rag
e A
ge
(y)
Ocupational Title
Figure 8 Average age of all respondents by occupational title For definitions of abbreviations see Table 1
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
340 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology340 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
survey results staff-level CTs have an average age of
4425 years
Lead CTs earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3474
($524 Figure 7) Their average age is 4754 years The
mean (SD) hourly wage for CT supervisors is $3695
($838 Figure 7) They are on average aged 4947 years
CT managers earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $4363
($812 Figure 7) The average annual wages of CTs by job
level are shown in Table 2 The mean age for managers is
5214 years Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facil-
ities for leads supervisors managers and directors was not
performed due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level
Of the facilities that were analyzed academic hospitals
with 300 to 499 beds show the highest hourly pay rate at
$3534 for all CT respondents regardless of level All CTs
earn an average hourly rate of $3408 at referenceindepen-
dent laboratories $3295 at nonacademic hospitals with 300
to 499 beds $3286 at pathologistclinical scientist laborato-
ries and $3280 at academic hospitals with more than 500
beds The average age for all CT respondents is 4660 years
which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
Most CT respondents work in anatomic pathology and
cytology departments The hourly compensation offered by
these departments is on average $3318 and $3364 respec-
tively Regardless of position level California pays CTs the
highest and Ohio the lowest Table 4 Results indicate that
on average CTs have 1812 total years of experience in the
field and have been in their current position for 1210 years
the most number of years of experience and working in
their current title among all the groups surveyed (Figures 9
and 10)
Analysis of pay rates by all 50 states and the average age by
state for CTs was not performed due to the small sample size
Histotechnicians
The national mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level
HTs is $2441 ($492 Figure 7) Pay rates among the
Table 3Average Annual Salaries for Cytogenetic Technologists by
State From Highest to Lowest Payinga
Cytogenetic Technologist Hourly Wage
California $4379
Massachusetts $3633
Arizona $3571
Minnesota $3296
Tennessee $3082
Virginia $2923
Texas $2769
North Carolina $2419
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
1812
1700
1606 15961543
14701424 1395
12911214
11601126
1058
849
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
To
tal Y
ea
rs o
f E
xp
eri
en
ce
Occupational Title
Figure 9 Average years of total experience in the laboratory field by occupational title For definitions of abbreviations see
Table 1
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 341DOI 101093ajcpaqw220341Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
laboratory facilities surveyed are comparable except for
nonacademic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds which provide
staff HTs with the highest hourly wage of $2533 Academic
hospitals with more than 500 beds and referenceindepen-
dent laboratories pay $2533 and $2522 respectively
Academic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds and 100 to 299
beds both pay an average hourly wage of $2414 Clinic-
based histology laboratories pay $2484 an hour and nonaca-
demic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds pay the least at
$2411 The average age of staff HTs is 4211 years
Lead-level HTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of
$2801 ($623) The average age of lead HTs is 4601 years
HT supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3073
($664) and HT managers are paid $4211 ($1355
Figure 7) The average annual wages of HTs by job level are
listed in Table 2 Supervisors and managers are aged 4749
years and 4860 years on average respectively
Overall all HT respondents are paid the highest in
nonacademic hospitals with over 500 beds at $3385 per
hour and least in private industries at $2482 Figure 11
The average age for all HT respondents is 4398 years simi-
lar to the national average (Figure 8)
Anatomic pathology departments pay HTs an average
hourly wage of $2590 while histology departments pay
$2566 Geographically HTs regardless of position level
are paid a significantly higher wage in California and the
lowest in New York Table 5 According to the survey re-
sults HTs have an average of 1424 years of total experi-
ence in the laboratory field and have been in their current
position for 935 years (Figures 9 and 10)
The overall sample sizes (lt30) for occupational levels
were too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay rates
by all facilities and states surveyed Therefore we report data
from only certain facilities For the same reason analysis of
the average age by state for HTs was not performed
Histotechnologists
The mean (SD) hourly wage for staff HTLs is $2682
($623 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff are highest at academic
hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $2807 Academic
1210
1123
1038995
952 935 913887 872 859
824794
754
692
556
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14A
vera
ge Y
ears
Occupational Title
Figure 10 Average years of working in current occupational title For definitions of abbreviations see Table 1
Table 4Average Annual Salaries for Cytotechnologists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Cytotechnologist Hourly Wage
California $4584
Minnesota $3425
Texas $3416
Florida $3333
Pennsylvania $3096
Ohio $3044
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
342 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology342 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
hospitals with over 500 beds pay $2782 and referencein-
dependent laboratories pay $2688 Staff HTLs have an av-
erage age of 4275 years
Lead-level HTLs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of
$3051 ($640) The average age of lead HTs is 4486 years
Supervisor HTLs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3191 ($630 Figure 7) The average age for supervisors is
4818 years Manager HTLs earn a mean (SD) hourly wage
of $4019 ($1346 Figure 7) The average annual wages of
HTLs by job level are listed in Table 2 Survey results indi-
cate that the average age for managers is 4977 years
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities for
leads supervisors managers and directors was not performed
due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level Regardless
of level academic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds and over
500 beds show the highest hourly pay rate at $2963 and
$2943 respectively HTLs earn an average hourly rate of
$2817 at referenceindependent laboratories $2817 at pri-
vate industries and $2705 at pathologistclinical scientist lab-
oratories The average age for all HTL respondents is 4518
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
By department most HTL respondents are found in an-
atomic pathology and histology They are paid average
hourly wages of $2941 and $2774 respectively The high-
est paying state for all HTL levels is California and the low-
est paying state is Michigan Table 6 Overall HTLs have
an average of 1543 years of total experience in the labora-
tory field and have been working in their current occupa-
tional title for an average of 913 years (Figures 9 and 10)
The overall sample sizes (lt30) for the occupational levels
were too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay rates
by all facilities and states surveyed For the same reason anal-
ysis of the average age by state for HTLs was not performed
Laboratory Assistants
On average LA staff members make a mean (SD)
hourly wage of $1645 ($378 Figure 7) Outpatient clinic
laboratories pay the most for staff LAs at $1750 per hour
Academic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds pay the highest at
$3385
$2855
$2655
$2623
$2579
$2545
$2538
$2537
$2503
$2492
$2482
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Physic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
al PathologistClinic scientist laboratory
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Clinic-based histology laboratory
Hospital 300-499 beds
Hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Average Hourly Wage for All HT Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 11 Average hourly wage of all histotechnician (HT) respondents by facility
Table 5Average Annual Salaries for Histotechnicians by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Histotechnician Hourly Wage
California $3081
Arizona $2679
Georgia $2675
Texas $2643
Pennsylvania $2512
Illinois $2481
Tennessee $2462
Florida $2443
Minnesota $2438
Wisconsin $2418
Michigan $2347
North Carolina $2339
Ohio $2301
New York $2247
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 343DOI 101093ajcpaqw220343Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
$1641 per hour and academic hospitals with 300 to 499
beds pay the lowest at $1575 per hour Results of the wage
difference between the other laboratory facilities for staff
LAs do not allow for statistically significant comparisons
Results indicate they have an average age of 4096 years
LA leads earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $1782 ($381
Figure 7) The average annual wages of LAs by job level are
listed in Table 2 On average leads are 4144 years old
Overall all LA respondents are paid the highest in out-
patient clinic laboratories at $1789 per hour and the least in
academic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds at $1690 and aca-
demic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $1661 The average
age for all LA respondents is 4107 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8)
LA respondents are mostly found in the following de-
partments with the corresponding average hourly pay all
multiple departments $1759 phlebotomy $1668 and
specimen processing $1637 Results show that LAs have
an average of 1126 years of total experience working in the
field and have worked in their current position for an aver-
age of 754 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Results of the wage difference between laboratory fa-
cilities and states for LA leads managers and supervisors
do not allow for statistically significant comparisons For
the same reason analysis of the average age by state for
LAs was not performed
Medical Laboratory TechniciansClinical Laboratory
Technicians
The national mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level
MLTsCLTs is $2089 ($454 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff
are highest in government facilities at $2185 per hour and
lowest at academic hospitals with less than 100 beds at
$1989 per hour Figure 12 The average age of staff MLTs
CLTs is 4012 years By state Indiana has the oldest staff at
4381 years with the youngest in Alabama at 3675 years
Figure 13 The overall sample size (lt30) for this occupa-
tional level was too small for meaningful statistical analysis
of pay rates by all facilities surveyed
Lead MLTsCLTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$2355 ($531 Figure 7) Results indicate they have an aver-
age age of 4339 years The mean (SD) hourly wage for
MLTCLT supervisors is $2533 ($650 Figure 7) The av-
erage age for this group is 4523 years MLTCLT managers
earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3175 ($647 Figure 7)
The average annual wages of MLTsCLT by job level are
listed in Table 2 The age of managers averages 4800 years
Community-based facilities show the highest hourly pay
rate at $2239 and academic hospitals with fewer than 100
beds show the lowest at $2030 for all MLTCLTs Figure 14
$2185
$2119
$2118
$2117
$2115
$2114
$2102
$2084
$2076
$2074
$2035
$1990
$1989
$1850 $1900 $1950 $2000 $2050 $2100 $2150 $2200
Government
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos office laboratory
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Public health laboratory
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff MLTCLT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 12 Average hourly wage of staff medical laboratory techniciansclinical laboratory technicians (MLTsCLTs) by facility
Table 6Average Annual Salaries for Histotechnologists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Histotechnologist Hourly Wage
California $3570
New York $3208
Florida $2833
Pennsylvania $2695
Texas $2615
North Carolina $2610
Illinois $2527
Michigan $2282
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
344 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology344 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
438
1
430
0
428
8
425
1
424
9
424
7
415
5
408
4
404
1
403
5
397
4
395
7
394
9
391
9
391
3
387
8
386
4
384
6
383
5
383
2
378
8
375
6
367
5
32
34
36
38
40
42
44
46A
ve
rag
e A
ge
(y)
States
Figure 13 Average ages for staff medical laboratory techniciansclinical laboratory technicians (MLTsCLSs) by state Sample
size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons
$2239
$2186
$2178
$2155
$2151
$2150
$2133
$2130
$2114
$2112
$2099
$2049
$2030
$1900 $1950 $2000 $2050 $2100 $2150 $2200 $2250
Community-based
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonp t
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for all MLTCLT Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 14 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory technicianclinical laboratory technician (MLTCLT) respondents by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 345DOI 101093ajcpaqw220345Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
The average age for all MLTCLT respondents is 4101 years
younger than the national average (Figure 8)
According to survey results the blood bank department
paid MLTsCLTs the highest at an average of $2328 per hour
and allmultiple departments the lowest at $2064 per hour
Figure 15 Geographically MLTsCLTs regardless of posi-
tion level are paid significantly higher wages in California
and lowest in Alabama Table 7 Overall MLTsCLTs have
an average of 1214 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and have been working in their current title for 887
years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities de-
partment and states for leads supervisors managers and
directors was not performed due to the small sample size
(lt30) of each level For the same reason average age by
state was not analyzed
Medical Laboratory ScientistsMedical Technologists
Clinical Laboratory Scientists
Staff-level MLSsMTsCLSs are paid a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $2790 ($678 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff
are highest at government facilities at $2990 per hour
and lowest at physiciansrsquo office laboratories (POLs) at
$2502 per hour Figure 16 The mean age for staff MLSs
MTsCLSs is 4196 years Geographically MLTsCLTs
are the oldest in New Hampshire and the youngest in South
Dakota Figure 17
$2328 $2308
$2260
$2149 $2133 $2129 $2119
$2064
$1900
$1950
$2000
$2050
$2100
$2150
$2200
$2250
$2300
$2350
Ave
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Departments
Figure 15 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) medical laboratory technicianclinical labora-
tory technician (MLTCLT) respondents by department
Table 7Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Technicians
Clinical Laboratory Technicians by State From Highest to
Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory Technician
Clinical Laboratory Technician Hourly Wage
California $2927
Massachusetts $2526
Washington $2460
New York $2449
Maryland $2428
Arizona $2367
Colorado $2305
Minnesota $2265
Pennsylvania $2239
Nebraska $2193
Virginia $2188
Wisconsin $2156
Indiana $2120
Illinois $2120
Ohio $2101
Georgia $2076
Iowa $2074
Texas $2060
Michigan $2055
Kentucky $2041
Tennessee $2020
Missouri $2014
Kansas $1996
North Carolina $1857
Mississippi $1808
South Carolina $1787
Alabama $1775
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
346 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology346 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
MLSMTCLS leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3154 ($735 Figure 7) Academic hospitals with 300 to
499 beds pay a significantly high hourly rate for lead MLSs
MTsCLSs compared with all facilities surveyed at $3335
The facility providing the lowest pay is the POL at $2771 per
hour Figure 18 They have an average age of 4597 years
MLSMTCLS supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly
rate of $3343 ($900 Figure 7) Results indicate that refer-
enceindependent laboratories pay the highest hourly wage
at $3622 whereas POLs pay $2871 per hour Figure 19
This group has an average age of 4834 years
The mean (SD) hourly wage for MLSMTCLS managers
is $3313 ($952 Figure 7) Pay rates for managers are highest
at referenceindependent laboratories at $4463 per hour fol-
lowed by academic hospitals with over 500 beds at $4242
nonacademic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $4130 nonac-
ademic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds at $4041 POLs at
$3653 and academic hospitals with fewer than 100 beds
at $3125 per hour Results indicate that managers have an
average age of 5017 years
MLSMTCLS directors earn a mean (SD) hourly wage
of $3799 ($1519 Figure 7) The average annual wages of
MLSsMTsCLSs by job level are listed in Table 2
Directors have an average age of 5186 years
MLSMTCLS respondents regardless of level are
paid the lowest in blood centers at $2623 per hour and
highest in government facilities at $3279 per hour
Figure 20 The average age for all MLSMTCLS re-
spondents is 4436 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8)
Survey results indicate that the LIS-QA-PI department
pays the highest at $3516 and the generalists department
pays the lowest at $2791 on average per hour Figure 21
The top 10 highest-paying states for all MLSMTCLS
levels are California Nevada Oregon Massachusetts
Connecticut Washington New York Arizona Minnesota
and Colorado Table 8 According to survey results MLSs
MTsCLSs have an average of 1596 years of total experience
in the laboratory field and have been working in their current
occupational title for 1038 years (Figures 9 and 10)
$2990
$2870
$2861
$2848
$2834
$2821
$2816
$2807
$2790
$2784
$2779
$2776
$2752
$2697
$2656
$2635
$2579
$2502
$22 $23 $24 $25 $26 $27 $28 $29 $30
Government
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Private industry
Reference
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Military VA VHA
Nonp t
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Blood center
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Staff MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 16 Average hourly wage of staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 347DOI 101093ajcpaqw220347Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
The overall sample size (lt30) for all occupational lev-
els was too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay
rates by all facilities and departments surveyed For the
same reason average age by state for leads supervisors and
directors was not analyzed
Molecular Biologists
The mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level MBs is
$2745 ($828 Figure 7) According to survey results staff
MBs have an average age of 3841 years
Lead-level MBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3465
($844 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4341 years
MB supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3866 ($1233
Figure 7) The average annual wages of MBs by job level are
listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervisors have an aver-
age age of 4216 years and managers of 3896 years
Most of the MB respondents are found in the molecular
pathology (pathgen) department and are paid an average
hourly wage of $2963 The average age for all MB respon-
dents is 4004 years which is younger than the national av-
erage (Figure 8) According to survey results MBs have
849 total years of experience working in the laboratory
field and an average of 556 years working in their current
occupational title the least number of years of experience
and working in their current title among all the groups sur-
veyed (Figures 9 and 10)
Results regarding the wage differences between
laboratory facilities and states for MBs do not allow for
480
5
467
9
463
9
455
2
454
7
454
0
452
3
450
6
449
8
447
6
443
6
438
9
436
3
436
1
435
0
434
2
431
0
426
8
425
6
424
3
422
8
422
0
420
8
418
8
418
4
417
2
415
7
411
7
408
8
407
0
402
1
401
3
401
2
397
2
396
2
390
6
387
2
377
1
371
2
369
7
360
0
359
3
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50A
ve
rag
e A
ge
(y)
States
Figure 17 Average ages for staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists (MLSsMTs
CLSs) by state Sample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
348 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology348 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
statistically significant comparisons because respondents
in the survey had a small sample size For the same
reason average ages by state of each level were not
analyzed
Pathologistsrsquo Assistants
The mean (SD) national hourly wage for staff-level
PAs is $4330 ($1291 Figure 7) The mean age for staff
PAs is 3783 years
$3335
$3314
$3301
$3282
$3229
$3205
$3197
$3197
$3130
$3035
$3018
$2937
$2914
$2771
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Military VA VHA
No t
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Average Hourly Wage for Lead MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 18 Average hourly wage of lead medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
$3622
$3563
$3558
$3473
$3456
$3354
$3152
$2871
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35 $40
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Supervisor MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 19 Average hourly wage of supervisor medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
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by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Lead PAs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $4781
($827 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4226 years The
mean (SD) hourly wage for PA supervisors is $5158
($1088 Figure 7) The average annual wages of PAs by
job level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervi-
sors have an average age of 4107 years and managers of
4706 years
PA respondents were mostly found in the anatomic pa-
thology departments which pays them an average salary of
$4312 per hour According to survey results PAs are the
youngest laboratory professionals with an average age of
3947 years which is younger than the national average
(Figure 8) Overall PAs have an average of 1058 total years
of experience in the laboratory field and 794 years in their
current title (Figures 9 and 10)
We did not perform analysis of wage data by facility
and state for PAs because the results would provide statisti-
cally insignificant values due to the small sample size For
the same reason average ages by state of each level were
not analyzed
Performance Improvement or Quality Assurance
The mean (SD) hourly wage for PI or QA staff is
$3837 ($913 Figure 7) The average age of staff PI or QA
is 4902 years Manager-level PI or QA staff are paid a
mean (SD) hourly rate of $4225 ($1042 Figure 7) The av-
erage annual wages of PI or QA staff by job level are listed
in Table 2 The mean age for managers is 4674 years
The department where most PI or QA personnel were
found is the LIS-QA-PI This department pays an average
hourly wage of $3378 Results indicate that leads have an
average age of 4593 years supervisors 4877 years and di-
rectors 5670 years The average age for all PI or QA re-
spondents is 4864 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8) According to survey results PI or QA
staff have an average of 1291 years of total experience in
the laboratory field and 692 years working in their current
occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of overall mean hourly wage for leads supervi-
sors and directors as well as average hourly wages paid by
facilities and states for PI or QA staff was not performed due
$3279
$3064
$3002
$2998
$2981
$2929
$2922
$2918
$2908
$2906
$2904
$2878
$2855
$2804
$2801
$2785
$2783
$2775
$2769
$2640
$2623
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Government
Military VA VHA
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Reference
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonp t
Community-based
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Public health laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Private industry
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Blood center
Average Hourly Wage for All MLSMTCLS Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 20 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
350 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology350 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
to the small sample size (lt30) of each level For the same rea-
son average ages by state of each level were not analyzed
Phlebotomists
Staff PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1497
($342 Figure 7) Results indicate that academic hospitals
with over 500 beds pay the highest hourly wage at $1584
and that hospitals with fewer than 100 beds pay the lowest
hourly wage at $1375 Figure 22 The overall sample size
(lt30) for this occupational level was too small for meaning-
ful statistical analysis of pay rates by all institutions sur-
veyed The data indicate that the average age for staff PBTs
is 4179 years
Lead PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1696
($344 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4322 years PBT man-
agers earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $2108 ($701 Figure
7) The average annual wages of PBTs by job level are listed
in Table 2 This group has an average age of 4428 years
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities for
leads supervisors managers and directors was not per-
formed due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level
But overall academic hospitals with over 500 beds pay the
highest hourly wage at $1635 and academic hospitals with
less than 100 beds at $1413 for PBTs Figure 23
Geographically PBTs regardless of position level are paid
a significantly higher wage in Washington State and lowest
in Michigan Table 9
Most PBT respondents are found in the phlebotomy and
allmultiple departments They are paid an average hourly
wage of $1546 and $1527 respectively The average age
for all PBT respondents is 4212 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8) Overall PBTs have an
average of 1160 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and 824 years working in their current title (Figures 9
and 10)
Analysis of the average age for PBT managers and directors
was not performed due to the small sample size For the same
reason analysis of average age by state was not performed
Specialists in Blood Banking
Staff-level SBBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $2851
($946 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4558 years
SBB leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3105
($610 Figure 7) Data indicate that the average age for lead
SBBs is 4242 years SBB supervisors earn a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $3443 ($637 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4924
years The mean (SD) hourly wage for SBB managers is $4505
($996 Figure 7) The average annual wages of SBBs by job
level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that the average age
for managers is 4979 years while directors are at 5171 years
Most SBB respondents are found in the blood bank de-
partment which pays them an average hourly wage of
$3137 The average age for all SBB respondents is 4767
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
$3516
$3211 $3106 $3099 $3031 $3002 $3001 $2981 $2908 $2845 $2834 $2791
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40A
ve
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Figure 21 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by department
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 351DOI 101093ajcpaqw220351Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Results show that SBBs have an average of 1700 years of
total experience working in the field and have been working
in their current title for 872 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility and state as well as
average age by state for SBBs was not performed because
the results would provide statistically insignificant values
For the same reason average ages by state of each level
were not analyzed
Administration
The mean (SD) hourly wage for administration man-
agers is $4315 ($1101 Figure 7) The average age of man-
agers is 5157 years Administration directors earn a mean
(SD) hourly wage of $5910 ($2122 Figure 7) The average
annual wages of administrative personnel by job level are
listed in Table 2 Data indicate that the average age for di-
rectors is 5504 years
Administrative personnel are the oldest group of labora-
tory professionals with an overall average age of 5362
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
Overall administrative personnel have an average of 1606
total years of experience in the laboratory field and 952
years in their current occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was not performed
Laboratory Information Systems
Staff-level LIS personnel are paid a mean (SD) hourly
wage of $3361 ($704 Figure 7) The mean age for LIS
staff is 4820 years
Leads have an average age of 5167 years supervisors
5263 years and managers 5067 years The average age for
all LIS respondents is 4973 years which is older than the
national average (Figure 8) According to survey results
LIS personnel have an average of 1470 years of total expe-
rience in the laboratory field and have been working in their
current title for 859 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was performed
Summary
Compared with the 2013 ASCP wage survey salaries are
up for all staff-level laboratory professionals except PBTs and
PAs who have a ndash40 and ndash650 change in annual hourly
wage respectively Table 10 The annual hourly wages for
leads were also up in 2015 except for CTs (ndash130) and
SBBs (ndash331) Table 11 Supervisorsrsquo annual hourly wages
however are down except for MLTsCLTs PAs and MLSs
MTsCLSs at 1210 583 and 187 respectively
Table 12 Manager- and director-level comparisons were not
conducted due to small sample size LAs and PBTs regardless
of level continue to have lower salaries while PAs and
administration personnel have higher salaries than the rest of
the laboratory professions surveyed
Table 8Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Scientists
Medical TechnologistsClinical Laboratory Scientists by State
From Highest to Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory ScientistMedical
TechnologistClinical Laboratory Scientist Hourly Wage
California $4620
Nevada $3494
Oregon $3324
Massachusetts $3262
Connecticut $3253
Washington $3190
New York $3087
Arizona $3082
Minnesota $3060
Colorado $3054
New Jersey $3020
New Hampshire $2999
Maryland $2933
Georgia $2881
Idaho $2814
Montana $2795
Kansas $2753
New Mexico $2737
Missouri $2735
South Carolina $2729
Pennsylvania $2728
Wisconsin $2725
Florida $2710
Kentucky $2697
Virginia $2697
Indiana $2694
Ohio $2687
Illinois $2683
Texas $2682
Nebraska $2679
Michigan $2615
Maine $2605
Tennessee $2597
Oklahoma $2589
Louisiana $2585
Iowa $2579
West Virginia $2568
North Carolina $2499
Utah $2487
Mississippi $2461
North Dakota $2458
Alabama $2457
Arkansas $2444
South Dakota $2441
Puerto Rico $1526
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
352 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology352 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Although salaries appear to have increased over time
for the overall profession there is not a considerable differ-
ence between the average hourly wages of laboratory pro-
fessionals working as they accumulate more years of
experience in the field Table 13 For example the average
hourly wage for HTs for the first 5 years is $2277 It was
found that HTs received a pay raise after 6 to 10 years of
work experience earning an average of $2525 per hour
However it appears that there is a wage cap around $2800
per hour for HTs with more than 16 years of experience
$1635
$1607
$1575
$1565
$1506
$1498
$1488
$1483
$1413
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600 $1650
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Overall Hourly Wage for PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 23 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) phlebotomist (PBT) respondents by facility
$1584
$1557
$1548
$1476
$1468
$1466
$1465
$1450
$1426
$1375
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonp t
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 22 Average hourly wage of staff phlebotomists (PBTs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 353DOI 101093ajcpaqw220353Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
For MLTsCLTs the average hourly wage is $1889 for the
first 5 years of experience While MLTsCLTs tended to re-
ceive an increased hourly wage for every 5 years of work
experience those working for 36 to 40 years only earn
$718 per hour more than those with 0 to 5 years of experi-
ence On average PBTs earn $1361 per hour for 0 to 5
years of experience with an average of approximately
$100 for every 5 years of experience The survey has also
revealed a potential wage cap around $1800 per hour for
PBTs with more than 20 years of experience
This year we also looked at the average wage of labo-
ratory professionals based on age and found that salaries
continue to increase considerably for every age range except
LAs and PBTs Table 14 MLSsMTsCLSs aged 55 years
and older experience a wage cap at $3282
In addition to analyzing wages this survey also asked
questions to gain an in-depth perspective on the laboratory
workforce The US Department of Laborrsquos Bureau of Labor
Statistics reported that the job outlook for medical and
clinical laboratory technologists and technicians between
2014 and 2024 is expected to grow 16 which is faster
than the average rate1 Figure 8 suggests strategic focus on
recruitment and supports the results of the ASCP 2014
Vacancy Survey (httpajcpascpjournalsorgcontent
1443432fullpdf) on filling the upcoming vacancies
Results show that laboratory professionals are aging and
therefore the field needs to fill the vacancies with
qualified laboratory professionals There is also a need for
recruiting younger laboratory professionals because ac-
cording to the survey results the youngest group are the
PAs with an average age of 3947 years Recruitment
Table 9Average Annual Salaries for Phlebotomists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Phlebotomist Hourly Wage
Washington $1839
Massachusetts $1819
Minnesota $1807
Oregon $1778
Maryland $1720
New York $1639
Virginia $1628
Wisconsin $1610
Montana $1607
Pennsylvania $1586
Illinois $1570
Colorado $1523
Texas $1505
North Carolina $1449
South Carolina $1444
Florida $1428
Indiana $1406
Ohio $1404
Georgia $1377
Missouri $1361
Tennessee $1332
Michigan $1325
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Table 10Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Staff
Between 2013 and 2015a
Staff 2015 2013 Change
CG $3110 $2863 86
CT $3239 $3145 30
MLSMTCLS $2790 $2713 28
LA $1645 $1603 26
MLTCLT $2089 $2049 20
HT $2441 $2396 19
MB $2745 $2696 18
SBB $2851 $2807 15
HTL $2682 $2663 07
PBT $1497 $1560 40
PA $4330 $4632 65
PI or QA $3837 NA NA
LIS $3361 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 11Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Leads
Between 2013 and 2015a
Lead 2015 2013 Change
CG $3551 $3222 1022
HTL $3051 $2876 607
MLTCLT $2355 $2238 522
HT $2801 $2681 448
MLSMTCLS $3154 $3081 236
PBT $1696 $1671 149
CT $3474 $3520 130
SBB $3105 $3211 331
LA $1782 NA NA
MB $3465 NA NA
PA $4781 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 12Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for
Supervisors Between 2013 and 2015a
Supervisor 2015 2013 Change
MLTCLT $2533 $2260 1210
PA $5158 $4874 583
MLSMTCLS $3343 $3282 187
SBB $3443 $3444 ndash004
CT $3695 $3709 ndash038
HTL $3191 $3241 ndash155
HT $3073 $3129 ndash180
CG $3863 $3995 ndash332
MB $3866 NA NA
PBT $2108 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
354 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology354 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
should focus on the following occupational titles CT
HTL MLSMTCLS PI or QA SBB administration and
LIS as their average ages are higher compared with the
national average (Figure 8)
In addition to recruitment retention warrants the same
focus According to Rex Famitangco2 chair of the ASCP
Council of Laboratory Professionals (CLP) ldquoStriving to re-
tain quality staff is a vital part of maintaining a laboratoryrsquos
Table 13Total Years of Experience at Current Occupational Title by Average Hourly Wagea
Time in Current Title y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PA PBT
0-5 $2620 $2833 $2277 $2469 $1516 $1889 $2527 $2621 $4300 $1361
6-10 $3007 $3093 $2525 $2772 $1700 $2089 $2798 $2991 $4489 $1469
11-15 $3304 $3215 $2657 $2952 $1745 $2209 $2979 NA $4693 $1662
16-20 $3593 $3579 $2871 NA NA $2366 $3050 NA NA $1725
21-25 $3718 $3681 $2883 NA NA $2412 $3155 NA NA $1827
26-30 $3835 $3834 $2825 $3279 NA $2512 $3257 NA NA $1810
31-35 NA $3580 NA NA NA $2588 $3308 NA NA NA
36-40 NA $3585 NA NA NA $2607 $3316 NA NA NA
41thorn NA NA NA NA NA $3281 $3281 NA NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PI or QA staff were not included due to its small sample size
Table 14Age by Average Hourly Wagea
Age y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PBT
18-24 NA NA NA NA NA $1760 $2270 NA $1316
25-34 $2823 $2881 $2330 $2446 $1677 $1945 $2545 $2591 $1439
35-44 $3203 $3236 $2575 $2867 $1700 $2085 $2861 $3033 $1508
45-54 $3631 $3449 $2720 $2890 $1704 $2296 $3120 NA $1609
55-64 NA $3703 $2751 $3206 $1794 $2465 $3282 NA $1737
65-74 NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
75thorn NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PAs were not included due to its small sample size
Table 15Percent of Responses per BenefitPerk Offered by Institution
Perks Offered by Institution Total of Responses per Category
Medicalvision benefits 8818
Dental benefits 8469
Pensionretirement benefits 6704
Free or convenient employee parking 6688
Premium pay for overtime holidays and weekends 5947
Paying for continuing education 3957
Paying for tuition 3885
Flexible work hours 2497
Miscellaneous bonuses (eg tied to work company performance etc) 2485
Bonuses not directly tied to work (including holidays and profit-sharing bonuses) 2299
On-call pay 1961
Paying for certifications or qualifications 1720
Monetary bonus (eg sign-on bonus referral bonus miscellaneous bonuses) 1684
Transportation allowances 1174
Paying for professional memberships 1035
Daycare 780
Uniform allowances 700
Laptop or tablet 682
Providing a company phone for you 546
Free or subsidized room and board 086
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 355DOI 101093ajcpaqw220355Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
functionalityrdquo Employee development such as training
continuing education and mentoring can prove beneficial in
retaining staff2 Survey respondents were asked about the
benefits and perks they receive from their institution
and medicaldentalvision pensionretirement overtime
holidayweekends and employee parking were the top
fringe benefits they receive Paying for continuing educa-
tion certifications professional memberships and day care
were among the benefits that are not provided to many labo-
ratory professionals Table 15
Last this survey asked the respondents to provide com-
ments after the completion of the survey We received a total
of 2230 comments and found that 2762 addressed being un-
derpaidunderappreciated 2166 of them addressed the need
for increased wages andraises 1493 provided suggestions
for future surveys 3018 expressed appreciation for the
opportunity this survey provides in giving the laboratory pro-
fessionals a platform to encourage advocacy and 561 were
categorized as ldquoOtherrdquo Institutions are encouraged to take into
consideration laboratory professionalsrsquo compensation and base
their pay on level of education training years of experience
and cost of living as well as making their pay comparable to
other allied health professionals with higher salaries
Corresponding author Edna Garcia MPH 1225 New York Ave
NW Ste 350 Washington DC 20009 ednagarciaascporg
Contributors Carter Ainsworth ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Andrea Bennett MPH
MT (ASCP) ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp Policy
Washington DC Matthew Schulze ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Patricia Tanabe MPA
MLS (ASCP)CM ASCP Board of Certification Chicago IL and
Elizabeth Waibel MPH ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp
Policy Washington DC
Reviewers Mark Bailey MA HTL (ASCP)CM The University
of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Alexandra
Brown MD FASCP ASCP Institute of Science Technology and
Policy Washington DC Lynnette G Chakkaphak MS MT
(ASCP) St Vincentrsquos HealthCare Jacksonville FL Vicki S
Freeman PhD MASCP MLS (ASCP)CM SCCM FACB The
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Jack A Hager
MT (ASCP) SBB Oregon Health and Science University
Portland Rex F Famitangco MS MLS (ASCP)CM QLC MT
(AMT) CLC AHI Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff Carlo Joseph Ledesma MT (ASCP) Rose State
College Midwest City OK and Babatunde Oloyede PhD MLS
(ASCP) Federal Medical Center Durham NC
References
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbookhttpwwwblsgovoohhealthcaremedical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicianshtm Accessed July 182016
2 Famitangco R Investing in employees investing in the futureCrit Values 2016910-12
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
356 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology356 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
selected ldquoon-the-job trainingrdquo 456 selected Commission
on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
282 selected military 266 selected Accrediting Bureau
of Health Education Schools and 925 selected ldquodonrsquot
knowotherrdquo The survey sought information on the type of
facility in which a participant is primarily employed Figure
3 as well as the department that best fits his or her employ-
ment Figure 4 Most respondents are employed in aca-
demic and nonacademic hospital facilities and are
generalists or work in multiple departments
Of all the respondents 2160 are licensed by the state
in which they currently work as a laboratory professional
Licensed respondents are mostly from California and the
least are from Washington DC The survey gathered data
on laboratory professionals in states and territories that re-
quire licensure California Florida Georgia Hawaii
Louisiana Montana Nevada New York North Dakota
Rhode Island Tennessee Washington DC West Virginia
and Puerto Rico Figure 5
Overall 728 of respondents reported being represented
by a union at their place of employment Most of the respon-
dents are represented by Service Employees International
Union 1199 (5248) followed by federal union (2886)
Table 1Total Number () of Responses by Occupational Titlea
Occupational Title No ()
MLSMTCLS 8601 (5162)
MLTCLT 2483 (1490)
PBT 1077 (646)
HT 772 (463)
CT 554 (333)
HTL 542 (325)
CG 511 (307)
Other 451 (271)
PA 286 (172)
LA 278 (167)
SBB 227 (136)
PI or QA 212 (127)
MB 210 (126)
Administration 210 (126)
Pathologist 95 (057)
LIS 93 (056)
Point of care 59 (035)
Total 16661 (10000)
CG cytogenetic technologist CT cytotechnologist HT histotechnician HTL histo-
technologist LA laboratory assistant LIS laboratory information systems MLT
CLT medical laboratory technicianclinical laboratory technician MLSMTCLS
medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist MB
molecular biologist PA pathologistsrsquo assistant PI or QA performance improvement
or quality assurance PBT phlebotomist SBB specialist in blood bankingaPercentage distribution of all survey respondents
167
709
1761
5911
1227
220
High schoolGED
College credit not equivalent to a degree
Associates degree
Bachelors degree
Masters degree
MD DO PhD or other advanced degree
Figure 2 Percent distribution of all survey respondents by
level of education
091
783
759
7574
536
041216
American Indian or Alaska Native
Asian
Black or African American
Caucausian
Hispanic or Latino
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
Other
Figure 1 Percent distribution of all survey respondents by
ethnicity
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
336 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology336 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
United Food and Commercial Workers (711) University
Professional and Technical Employees (671) and United
University Professions (483) The new question added this
yearmdashldquoFrom which budget is your salary paidrdquomdashrevealed
that salaries mainly come from the laboratory general budget
as part of the hospital or organization Figure 6
This year comparison between certified and noncerti-
fied laboratory personnel was not performed because the
low sample size of noncertified compared with certified in-
dividuals provided an inaccurate comparison
Cytogenetic Technologists
The national mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level
CGs is $3110 ($859) Figure 7 Staff CGs are aged 4069
years on average
CG leads earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3551
($729 Figure 7) On average leads are aged 4370 years
CG supervisors are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3863
($945 Figure 7) The average annual wages of CGs by job
level are listed in Table 2 On average supervisor-level
CGs are aged 4606 years
The highest paying type of facility for all CGs is private
industries at an average of $3277 per hour followed by aca-
demic hospitals with more than 500 beds at $3229 and refer-
enceindependent laboratories that pay an hourly wage of
$3160 The average age for all CG respondents is 4212
years which is younger than the national average Figure 8
This survey also looked at average wage by department
Most CG respondents work in the cytogenetics department
and are paid $3249 per hour The highest paying state for
all CG levels is California and the lowest paying state is
North Carolina Table 3 On average a CG has 1395 total
years of experience working in the laboratory field and 995
average years of working in his or her current occupational
title Figure 9 and Figure 10
The sample size (lt30) for each occupational level was
too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay rates by
all facilities and states surveyed For the same reason analy-
sis of the average age by state for CGs was not performed
1495
1119
876
824
754
751
626
505
396
359
337
263
250
239
208
172
156
128
118
106
097
088
061
043
020
010
00 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Physicians office laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Nonprofit
Military VA VHA
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Private industry
Community-based
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Other
Government
Blood center
Education
Reference
Public health laboratory
Clinic-based histology laboratory
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Veterinary
Academic health centersmdashoutpatient
Percentage of Employees
Fa
cil
ity
Ty
pe
Ch
ara
cte
ris
tic
Figure 3 Percentage of respondents by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 337DOI 101093ajcpaqw220337Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
1971
1659
840
663
645
635
555
535
444
366
297
295
265
226
167
116
084
082
079
045
029
000 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000
Generalists
AllMultiple departments
MicrobiologyVirology
Core laboratory
Blood bank
Phlebotomy
Histology
Anatomic pathology
HematologyCoagulation
Chemistry toxicology
Other
Cytogenetics
Cytology
Molecular pathology
LIS-QA-PI
Immunology
Flow cytometry
Specimen processing
Point of care
HLA
Sendouts
Percentage of Employees
Dep
art
men
t
Figure 4 Percentage of respondents by department HLA human leukocyte antigen LIS laboratory information system PI
performance improvement QA quality assurance
2285
2065
1718
1109
720
478
306 295 247 245175 170
114 075
0
5
10
15
20
25
Lic
en
se
d R
esp
on
de
nts
(
)
Licensure StateTerritory
Figure 5 Licensed respondents currently working as a laboratory professional by state (nfrac143598)
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
338 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology338 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
6920
1770
695253 192 110 060
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Laboratorygeneral budgetas part of the
hospital ororganization
I dont know Privatelaboratory
Medical group(pathologists)
Other Government University
Dis
trib
uti
on
(
)
Budget Where Salaries Are Paid
Figure 6 Budget where salaries are paid
$311
0
$323
9
$244
1
$268
2
$164
5
$208
9
$279
0
$274
5
$433
0
$383
7
$149
7 $
285
1
$336
1
$355
1
$347
4
$280
1
$305
1
$178
2
$235
5
$315
4
$346
5 $478
1
$169
6 $
310
5
$386
3
$369
5
$307
3
$319
1
$253
3
$334
3
$386
6 $515
8
$210
8 $344
3
$436
3
$421
1
$401
9
$317
5
$331
3
$422
5
$450
5
$431
5
$379
9
$591
0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Ave
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Occupational Title
Staff
Lead
Supervisor
Manager
Director
Figure 7 Average hourly wage for laboratory staff lead supervisormanager and director positions per occupational title
Sample sizes for some occupational levels were less than 30 and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons For defi-
nitions of abbreviations see Table 1
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 339DOI 101093ajcpaqw220339Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Cytotechnologists
Staff-level CTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3239 ($636 Figure 7) Pay rates per hour for staff are
highest in reference and independent laboratories at
$3355 Academic hospitals with more than 500 beds
and nonacademic hospitals pay $3180 and $3162
respectively The facilities providing the lowest hourly pay
for staff-level CTs are nonacademic hospitals with 0 to 99
beds at $3095 The overall sample size (lt30) for this oc-
cupational level was too small for meaningful statistical
analysis of pay rates by all facilities surveyed Therefore
we report data from only certain facilities According to
Table 2Average Annual Wages by Occupational Title and Levela
Occupational Title
Average Annual Wagesb
Staff Lead Supervisor Manager Director
CG $5956084 $7386766 $8034000 c c
CT $6594283 $7226482 $8616969 $9097138 c
HT $5743858 $5826184 $6987010 $8759371 c
HTL $6091316 $6345144 $7837016 $8359339 c
LA $3421184 $3705832 c c c
LIS $6990646 c c c c
MLTCLT $3973288 $4898192 $5730647 $6603707 c
MLSMTCLS $5738277 $6496662 $7659477 $8326301 $9699018
MB $5421433 $7207803 $8042337 c c
PA $9179712 $9946157 $10728774 c c
PI or QA $7980960 c $8829600 c c
PBT $3114238 $3527514 $4384286 c c
SBB $5929040 $6457922 $7486350 $9370968 c
Administration c c c $8976237 $12283348
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1bSome annual wages listed were made equivalent to a full-time salarycSample size constraints prevented further analysis of wage rate
5362
49734864 4767 4759 4660
4518 4436 43984212 4212
4107 4101 4004 3947
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Ave
rag
e A
ge
(y)
Ocupational Title
Figure 8 Average age of all respondents by occupational title For definitions of abbreviations see Table 1
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
340 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology340 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
survey results staff-level CTs have an average age of
4425 years
Lead CTs earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3474
($524 Figure 7) Their average age is 4754 years The
mean (SD) hourly wage for CT supervisors is $3695
($838 Figure 7) They are on average aged 4947 years
CT managers earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $4363
($812 Figure 7) The average annual wages of CTs by job
level are shown in Table 2 The mean age for managers is
5214 years Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facil-
ities for leads supervisors managers and directors was not
performed due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level
Of the facilities that were analyzed academic hospitals
with 300 to 499 beds show the highest hourly pay rate at
$3534 for all CT respondents regardless of level All CTs
earn an average hourly rate of $3408 at referenceindepen-
dent laboratories $3295 at nonacademic hospitals with 300
to 499 beds $3286 at pathologistclinical scientist laborato-
ries and $3280 at academic hospitals with more than 500
beds The average age for all CT respondents is 4660 years
which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
Most CT respondents work in anatomic pathology and
cytology departments The hourly compensation offered by
these departments is on average $3318 and $3364 respec-
tively Regardless of position level California pays CTs the
highest and Ohio the lowest Table 4 Results indicate that
on average CTs have 1812 total years of experience in the
field and have been in their current position for 1210 years
the most number of years of experience and working in
their current title among all the groups surveyed (Figures 9
and 10)
Analysis of pay rates by all 50 states and the average age by
state for CTs was not performed due to the small sample size
Histotechnicians
The national mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level
HTs is $2441 ($492 Figure 7) Pay rates among the
Table 3Average Annual Salaries for Cytogenetic Technologists by
State From Highest to Lowest Payinga
Cytogenetic Technologist Hourly Wage
California $4379
Massachusetts $3633
Arizona $3571
Minnesota $3296
Tennessee $3082
Virginia $2923
Texas $2769
North Carolina $2419
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
1812
1700
1606 15961543
14701424 1395
12911214
11601126
1058
849
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
To
tal Y
ea
rs o
f E
xp
eri
en
ce
Occupational Title
Figure 9 Average years of total experience in the laboratory field by occupational title For definitions of abbreviations see
Table 1
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
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by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
laboratory facilities surveyed are comparable except for
nonacademic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds which provide
staff HTs with the highest hourly wage of $2533 Academic
hospitals with more than 500 beds and referenceindepen-
dent laboratories pay $2533 and $2522 respectively
Academic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds and 100 to 299
beds both pay an average hourly wage of $2414 Clinic-
based histology laboratories pay $2484 an hour and nonaca-
demic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds pay the least at
$2411 The average age of staff HTs is 4211 years
Lead-level HTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of
$2801 ($623) The average age of lead HTs is 4601 years
HT supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3073
($664) and HT managers are paid $4211 ($1355
Figure 7) The average annual wages of HTs by job level are
listed in Table 2 Supervisors and managers are aged 4749
years and 4860 years on average respectively
Overall all HT respondents are paid the highest in
nonacademic hospitals with over 500 beds at $3385 per
hour and least in private industries at $2482 Figure 11
The average age for all HT respondents is 4398 years simi-
lar to the national average (Figure 8)
Anatomic pathology departments pay HTs an average
hourly wage of $2590 while histology departments pay
$2566 Geographically HTs regardless of position level
are paid a significantly higher wage in California and the
lowest in New York Table 5 According to the survey re-
sults HTs have an average of 1424 years of total experi-
ence in the laboratory field and have been in their current
position for 935 years (Figures 9 and 10)
The overall sample sizes (lt30) for occupational levels
were too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay rates
by all facilities and states surveyed Therefore we report data
from only certain facilities For the same reason analysis of
the average age by state for HTs was not performed
Histotechnologists
The mean (SD) hourly wage for staff HTLs is $2682
($623 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff are highest at academic
hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $2807 Academic
1210
1123
1038995
952 935 913887 872 859
824794
754
692
556
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14A
vera
ge Y
ears
Occupational Title
Figure 10 Average years of working in current occupational title For definitions of abbreviations see Table 1
Table 4Average Annual Salaries for Cytotechnologists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Cytotechnologist Hourly Wage
California $4584
Minnesota $3425
Texas $3416
Florida $3333
Pennsylvania $3096
Ohio $3044
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
342 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology342 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
hospitals with over 500 beds pay $2782 and referencein-
dependent laboratories pay $2688 Staff HTLs have an av-
erage age of 4275 years
Lead-level HTLs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of
$3051 ($640) The average age of lead HTs is 4486 years
Supervisor HTLs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3191 ($630 Figure 7) The average age for supervisors is
4818 years Manager HTLs earn a mean (SD) hourly wage
of $4019 ($1346 Figure 7) The average annual wages of
HTLs by job level are listed in Table 2 Survey results indi-
cate that the average age for managers is 4977 years
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities for
leads supervisors managers and directors was not performed
due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level Regardless
of level academic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds and over
500 beds show the highest hourly pay rate at $2963 and
$2943 respectively HTLs earn an average hourly rate of
$2817 at referenceindependent laboratories $2817 at pri-
vate industries and $2705 at pathologistclinical scientist lab-
oratories The average age for all HTL respondents is 4518
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
By department most HTL respondents are found in an-
atomic pathology and histology They are paid average
hourly wages of $2941 and $2774 respectively The high-
est paying state for all HTL levels is California and the low-
est paying state is Michigan Table 6 Overall HTLs have
an average of 1543 years of total experience in the labora-
tory field and have been working in their current occupa-
tional title for an average of 913 years (Figures 9 and 10)
The overall sample sizes (lt30) for the occupational levels
were too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay rates
by all facilities and states surveyed For the same reason anal-
ysis of the average age by state for HTLs was not performed
Laboratory Assistants
On average LA staff members make a mean (SD)
hourly wage of $1645 ($378 Figure 7) Outpatient clinic
laboratories pay the most for staff LAs at $1750 per hour
Academic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds pay the highest at
$3385
$2855
$2655
$2623
$2579
$2545
$2538
$2537
$2503
$2492
$2482
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Physic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
al PathologistClinic scientist laboratory
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Clinic-based histology laboratory
Hospital 300-499 beds
Hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Average Hourly Wage for All HT Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 11 Average hourly wage of all histotechnician (HT) respondents by facility
Table 5Average Annual Salaries for Histotechnicians by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Histotechnician Hourly Wage
California $3081
Arizona $2679
Georgia $2675
Texas $2643
Pennsylvania $2512
Illinois $2481
Tennessee $2462
Florida $2443
Minnesota $2438
Wisconsin $2418
Michigan $2347
North Carolina $2339
Ohio $2301
New York $2247
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
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by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
$1641 per hour and academic hospitals with 300 to 499
beds pay the lowest at $1575 per hour Results of the wage
difference between the other laboratory facilities for staff
LAs do not allow for statistically significant comparisons
Results indicate they have an average age of 4096 years
LA leads earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $1782 ($381
Figure 7) The average annual wages of LAs by job level are
listed in Table 2 On average leads are 4144 years old
Overall all LA respondents are paid the highest in out-
patient clinic laboratories at $1789 per hour and the least in
academic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds at $1690 and aca-
demic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $1661 The average
age for all LA respondents is 4107 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8)
LA respondents are mostly found in the following de-
partments with the corresponding average hourly pay all
multiple departments $1759 phlebotomy $1668 and
specimen processing $1637 Results show that LAs have
an average of 1126 years of total experience working in the
field and have worked in their current position for an aver-
age of 754 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Results of the wage difference between laboratory fa-
cilities and states for LA leads managers and supervisors
do not allow for statistically significant comparisons For
the same reason analysis of the average age by state for
LAs was not performed
Medical Laboratory TechniciansClinical Laboratory
Technicians
The national mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level
MLTsCLTs is $2089 ($454 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff
are highest in government facilities at $2185 per hour and
lowest at academic hospitals with less than 100 beds at
$1989 per hour Figure 12 The average age of staff MLTs
CLTs is 4012 years By state Indiana has the oldest staff at
4381 years with the youngest in Alabama at 3675 years
Figure 13 The overall sample size (lt30) for this occupa-
tional level was too small for meaningful statistical analysis
of pay rates by all facilities surveyed
Lead MLTsCLTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$2355 ($531 Figure 7) Results indicate they have an aver-
age age of 4339 years The mean (SD) hourly wage for
MLTCLT supervisors is $2533 ($650 Figure 7) The av-
erage age for this group is 4523 years MLTCLT managers
earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3175 ($647 Figure 7)
The average annual wages of MLTsCLT by job level are
listed in Table 2 The age of managers averages 4800 years
Community-based facilities show the highest hourly pay
rate at $2239 and academic hospitals with fewer than 100
beds show the lowest at $2030 for all MLTCLTs Figure 14
$2185
$2119
$2118
$2117
$2115
$2114
$2102
$2084
$2076
$2074
$2035
$1990
$1989
$1850 $1900 $1950 $2000 $2050 $2100 $2150 $2200
Government
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos office laboratory
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Public health laboratory
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff MLTCLT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 12 Average hourly wage of staff medical laboratory techniciansclinical laboratory technicians (MLTsCLTs) by facility
Table 6Average Annual Salaries for Histotechnologists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Histotechnologist Hourly Wage
California $3570
New York $3208
Florida $2833
Pennsylvania $2695
Texas $2615
North Carolina $2610
Illinois $2527
Michigan $2282
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
344 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology344 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
438
1
430
0
428
8
425
1
424
9
424
7
415
5
408
4
404
1
403
5
397
4
395
7
394
9
391
9
391
3
387
8
386
4
384
6
383
5
383
2
378
8
375
6
367
5
32
34
36
38
40
42
44
46A
ve
rag
e A
ge
(y)
States
Figure 13 Average ages for staff medical laboratory techniciansclinical laboratory technicians (MLTsCLSs) by state Sample
size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons
$2239
$2186
$2178
$2155
$2151
$2150
$2133
$2130
$2114
$2112
$2099
$2049
$2030
$1900 $1950 $2000 $2050 $2100 $2150 $2200 $2250
Community-based
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonp t
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for all MLTCLT Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 14 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory technicianclinical laboratory technician (MLTCLT) respondents by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
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by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
The average age for all MLTCLT respondents is 4101 years
younger than the national average (Figure 8)
According to survey results the blood bank department
paid MLTsCLTs the highest at an average of $2328 per hour
and allmultiple departments the lowest at $2064 per hour
Figure 15 Geographically MLTsCLTs regardless of posi-
tion level are paid significantly higher wages in California
and lowest in Alabama Table 7 Overall MLTsCLTs have
an average of 1214 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and have been working in their current title for 887
years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities de-
partment and states for leads supervisors managers and
directors was not performed due to the small sample size
(lt30) of each level For the same reason average age by
state was not analyzed
Medical Laboratory ScientistsMedical Technologists
Clinical Laboratory Scientists
Staff-level MLSsMTsCLSs are paid a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $2790 ($678 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff
are highest at government facilities at $2990 per hour
and lowest at physiciansrsquo office laboratories (POLs) at
$2502 per hour Figure 16 The mean age for staff MLSs
MTsCLSs is 4196 years Geographically MLTsCLTs
are the oldest in New Hampshire and the youngest in South
Dakota Figure 17
$2328 $2308
$2260
$2149 $2133 $2129 $2119
$2064
$1900
$1950
$2000
$2050
$2100
$2150
$2200
$2250
$2300
$2350
Ave
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Departments
Figure 15 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) medical laboratory technicianclinical labora-
tory technician (MLTCLT) respondents by department
Table 7Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Technicians
Clinical Laboratory Technicians by State From Highest to
Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory Technician
Clinical Laboratory Technician Hourly Wage
California $2927
Massachusetts $2526
Washington $2460
New York $2449
Maryland $2428
Arizona $2367
Colorado $2305
Minnesota $2265
Pennsylvania $2239
Nebraska $2193
Virginia $2188
Wisconsin $2156
Indiana $2120
Illinois $2120
Ohio $2101
Georgia $2076
Iowa $2074
Texas $2060
Michigan $2055
Kentucky $2041
Tennessee $2020
Missouri $2014
Kansas $1996
North Carolina $1857
Mississippi $1808
South Carolina $1787
Alabama $1775
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
346 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology346 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
MLSMTCLS leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3154 ($735 Figure 7) Academic hospitals with 300 to
499 beds pay a significantly high hourly rate for lead MLSs
MTsCLSs compared with all facilities surveyed at $3335
The facility providing the lowest pay is the POL at $2771 per
hour Figure 18 They have an average age of 4597 years
MLSMTCLS supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly
rate of $3343 ($900 Figure 7) Results indicate that refer-
enceindependent laboratories pay the highest hourly wage
at $3622 whereas POLs pay $2871 per hour Figure 19
This group has an average age of 4834 years
The mean (SD) hourly wage for MLSMTCLS managers
is $3313 ($952 Figure 7) Pay rates for managers are highest
at referenceindependent laboratories at $4463 per hour fol-
lowed by academic hospitals with over 500 beds at $4242
nonacademic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $4130 nonac-
ademic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds at $4041 POLs at
$3653 and academic hospitals with fewer than 100 beds
at $3125 per hour Results indicate that managers have an
average age of 5017 years
MLSMTCLS directors earn a mean (SD) hourly wage
of $3799 ($1519 Figure 7) The average annual wages of
MLSsMTsCLSs by job level are listed in Table 2
Directors have an average age of 5186 years
MLSMTCLS respondents regardless of level are
paid the lowest in blood centers at $2623 per hour and
highest in government facilities at $3279 per hour
Figure 20 The average age for all MLSMTCLS re-
spondents is 4436 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8)
Survey results indicate that the LIS-QA-PI department
pays the highest at $3516 and the generalists department
pays the lowest at $2791 on average per hour Figure 21
The top 10 highest-paying states for all MLSMTCLS
levels are California Nevada Oregon Massachusetts
Connecticut Washington New York Arizona Minnesota
and Colorado Table 8 According to survey results MLSs
MTsCLSs have an average of 1596 years of total experience
in the laboratory field and have been working in their current
occupational title for 1038 years (Figures 9 and 10)
$2990
$2870
$2861
$2848
$2834
$2821
$2816
$2807
$2790
$2784
$2779
$2776
$2752
$2697
$2656
$2635
$2579
$2502
$22 $23 $24 $25 $26 $27 $28 $29 $30
Government
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Private industry
Reference
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Military VA VHA
Nonp t
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Blood center
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Staff MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 16 Average hourly wage of staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
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by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
The overall sample size (lt30) for all occupational lev-
els was too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay
rates by all facilities and departments surveyed For the
same reason average age by state for leads supervisors and
directors was not analyzed
Molecular Biologists
The mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level MBs is
$2745 ($828 Figure 7) According to survey results staff
MBs have an average age of 3841 years
Lead-level MBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3465
($844 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4341 years
MB supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3866 ($1233
Figure 7) The average annual wages of MBs by job level are
listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervisors have an aver-
age age of 4216 years and managers of 3896 years
Most of the MB respondents are found in the molecular
pathology (pathgen) department and are paid an average
hourly wage of $2963 The average age for all MB respon-
dents is 4004 years which is younger than the national av-
erage (Figure 8) According to survey results MBs have
849 total years of experience working in the laboratory
field and an average of 556 years working in their current
occupational title the least number of years of experience
and working in their current title among all the groups sur-
veyed (Figures 9 and 10)
Results regarding the wage differences between
laboratory facilities and states for MBs do not allow for
480
5
467
9
463
9
455
2
454
7
454
0
452
3
450
6
449
8
447
6
443
6
438
9
436
3
436
1
435
0
434
2
431
0
426
8
425
6
424
3
422
8
422
0
420
8
418
8
418
4
417
2
415
7
411
7
408
8
407
0
402
1
401
3
401
2
397
2
396
2
390
6
387
2
377
1
371
2
369
7
360
0
359
3
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50A
ve
rag
e A
ge
(y)
States
Figure 17 Average ages for staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists (MLSsMTs
CLSs) by state Sample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
348 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology348 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
statistically significant comparisons because respondents
in the survey had a small sample size For the same
reason average ages by state of each level were not
analyzed
Pathologistsrsquo Assistants
The mean (SD) national hourly wage for staff-level
PAs is $4330 ($1291 Figure 7) The mean age for staff
PAs is 3783 years
$3335
$3314
$3301
$3282
$3229
$3205
$3197
$3197
$3130
$3035
$3018
$2937
$2914
$2771
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Military VA VHA
No t
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Average Hourly Wage for Lead MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 18 Average hourly wage of lead medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
$3622
$3563
$3558
$3473
$3456
$3354
$3152
$2871
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35 $40
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Supervisor MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 19 Average hourly wage of supervisor medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 349DOI 101093ajcpaqw220349Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Lead PAs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $4781
($827 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4226 years The
mean (SD) hourly wage for PA supervisors is $5158
($1088 Figure 7) The average annual wages of PAs by
job level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervi-
sors have an average age of 4107 years and managers of
4706 years
PA respondents were mostly found in the anatomic pa-
thology departments which pays them an average salary of
$4312 per hour According to survey results PAs are the
youngest laboratory professionals with an average age of
3947 years which is younger than the national average
(Figure 8) Overall PAs have an average of 1058 total years
of experience in the laboratory field and 794 years in their
current title (Figures 9 and 10)
We did not perform analysis of wage data by facility
and state for PAs because the results would provide statisti-
cally insignificant values due to the small sample size For
the same reason average ages by state of each level were
not analyzed
Performance Improvement or Quality Assurance
The mean (SD) hourly wage for PI or QA staff is
$3837 ($913 Figure 7) The average age of staff PI or QA
is 4902 years Manager-level PI or QA staff are paid a
mean (SD) hourly rate of $4225 ($1042 Figure 7) The av-
erage annual wages of PI or QA staff by job level are listed
in Table 2 The mean age for managers is 4674 years
The department where most PI or QA personnel were
found is the LIS-QA-PI This department pays an average
hourly wage of $3378 Results indicate that leads have an
average age of 4593 years supervisors 4877 years and di-
rectors 5670 years The average age for all PI or QA re-
spondents is 4864 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8) According to survey results PI or QA
staff have an average of 1291 years of total experience in
the laboratory field and 692 years working in their current
occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of overall mean hourly wage for leads supervi-
sors and directors as well as average hourly wages paid by
facilities and states for PI or QA staff was not performed due
$3279
$3064
$3002
$2998
$2981
$2929
$2922
$2918
$2908
$2906
$2904
$2878
$2855
$2804
$2801
$2785
$2783
$2775
$2769
$2640
$2623
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Government
Military VA VHA
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Reference
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonp t
Community-based
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Public health laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Private industry
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Blood center
Average Hourly Wage for All MLSMTCLS Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 20 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
350 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology350 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
to the small sample size (lt30) of each level For the same rea-
son average ages by state of each level were not analyzed
Phlebotomists
Staff PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1497
($342 Figure 7) Results indicate that academic hospitals
with over 500 beds pay the highest hourly wage at $1584
and that hospitals with fewer than 100 beds pay the lowest
hourly wage at $1375 Figure 22 The overall sample size
(lt30) for this occupational level was too small for meaning-
ful statistical analysis of pay rates by all institutions sur-
veyed The data indicate that the average age for staff PBTs
is 4179 years
Lead PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1696
($344 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4322 years PBT man-
agers earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $2108 ($701 Figure
7) The average annual wages of PBTs by job level are listed
in Table 2 This group has an average age of 4428 years
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities for
leads supervisors managers and directors was not per-
formed due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level
But overall academic hospitals with over 500 beds pay the
highest hourly wage at $1635 and academic hospitals with
less than 100 beds at $1413 for PBTs Figure 23
Geographically PBTs regardless of position level are paid
a significantly higher wage in Washington State and lowest
in Michigan Table 9
Most PBT respondents are found in the phlebotomy and
allmultiple departments They are paid an average hourly
wage of $1546 and $1527 respectively The average age
for all PBT respondents is 4212 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8) Overall PBTs have an
average of 1160 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and 824 years working in their current title (Figures 9
and 10)
Analysis of the average age for PBT managers and directors
was not performed due to the small sample size For the same
reason analysis of average age by state was not performed
Specialists in Blood Banking
Staff-level SBBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $2851
($946 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4558 years
SBB leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3105
($610 Figure 7) Data indicate that the average age for lead
SBBs is 4242 years SBB supervisors earn a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $3443 ($637 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4924
years The mean (SD) hourly wage for SBB managers is $4505
($996 Figure 7) The average annual wages of SBBs by job
level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that the average age
for managers is 4979 years while directors are at 5171 years
Most SBB respondents are found in the blood bank de-
partment which pays them an average hourly wage of
$3137 The average age for all SBB respondents is 4767
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
$3516
$3211 $3106 $3099 $3031 $3002 $3001 $2981 $2908 $2845 $2834 $2791
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40A
ve
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Figure 21 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by department
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 351DOI 101093ajcpaqw220351Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Results show that SBBs have an average of 1700 years of
total experience working in the field and have been working
in their current title for 872 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility and state as well as
average age by state for SBBs was not performed because
the results would provide statistically insignificant values
For the same reason average ages by state of each level
were not analyzed
Administration
The mean (SD) hourly wage for administration man-
agers is $4315 ($1101 Figure 7) The average age of man-
agers is 5157 years Administration directors earn a mean
(SD) hourly wage of $5910 ($2122 Figure 7) The average
annual wages of administrative personnel by job level are
listed in Table 2 Data indicate that the average age for di-
rectors is 5504 years
Administrative personnel are the oldest group of labora-
tory professionals with an overall average age of 5362
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
Overall administrative personnel have an average of 1606
total years of experience in the laboratory field and 952
years in their current occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was not performed
Laboratory Information Systems
Staff-level LIS personnel are paid a mean (SD) hourly
wage of $3361 ($704 Figure 7) The mean age for LIS
staff is 4820 years
Leads have an average age of 5167 years supervisors
5263 years and managers 5067 years The average age for
all LIS respondents is 4973 years which is older than the
national average (Figure 8) According to survey results
LIS personnel have an average of 1470 years of total expe-
rience in the laboratory field and have been working in their
current title for 859 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was performed
Summary
Compared with the 2013 ASCP wage survey salaries are
up for all staff-level laboratory professionals except PBTs and
PAs who have a ndash40 and ndash650 change in annual hourly
wage respectively Table 10 The annual hourly wages for
leads were also up in 2015 except for CTs (ndash130) and
SBBs (ndash331) Table 11 Supervisorsrsquo annual hourly wages
however are down except for MLTsCLTs PAs and MLSs
MTsCLSs at 1210 583 and 187 respectively
Table 12 Manager- and director-level comparisons were not
conducted due to small sample size LAs and PBTs regardless
of level continue to have lower salaries while PAs and
administration personnel have higher salaries than the rest of
the laboratory professions surveyed
Table 8Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Scientists
Medical TechnologistsClinical Laboratory Scientists by State
From Highest to Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory ScientistMedical
TechnologistClinical Laboratory Scientist Hourly Wage
California $4620
Nevada $3494
Oregon $3324
Massachusetts $3262
Connecticut $3253
Washington $3190
New York $3087
Arizona $3082
Minnesota $3060
Colorado $3054
New Jersey $3020
New Hampshire $2999
Maryland $2933
Georgia $2881
Idaho $2814
Montana $2795
Kansas $2753
New Mexico $2737
Missouri $2735
South Carolina $2729
Pennsylvania $2728
Wisconsin $2725
Florida $2710
Kentucky $2697
Virginia $2697
Indiana $2694
Ohio $2687
Illinois $2683
Texas $2682
Nebraska $2679
Michigan $2615
Maine $2605
Tennessee $2597
Oklahoma $2589
Louisiana $2585
Iowa $2579
West Virginia $2568
North Carolina $2499
Utah $2487
Mississippi $2461
North Dakota $2458
Alabama $2457
Arkansas $2444
South Dakota $2441
Puerto Rico $1526
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
352 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology352 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Although salaries appear to have increased over time
for the overall profession there is not a considerable differ-
ence between the average hourly wages of laboratory pro-
fessionals working as they accumulate more years of
experience in the field Table 13 For example the average
hourly wage for HTs for the first 5 years is $2277 It was
found that HTs received a pay raise after 6 to 10 years of
work experience earning an average of $2525 per hour
However it appears that there is a wage cap around $2800
per hour for HTs with more than 16 years of experience
$1635
$1607
$1575
$1565
$1506
$1498
$1488
$1483
$1413
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600 $1650
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Overall Hourly Wage for PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 23 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) phlebotomist (PBT) respondents by facility
$1584
$1557
$1548
$1476
$1468
$1466
$1465
$1450
$1426
$1375
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonp t
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 22 Average hourly wage of staff phlebotomists (PBTs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 353DOI 101093ajcpaqw220353Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
For MLTsCLTs the average hourly wage is $1889 for the
first 5 years of experience While MLTsCLTs tended to re-
ceive an increased hourly wage for every 5 years of work
experience those working for 36 to 40 years only earn
$718 per hour more than those with 0 to 5 years of experi-
ence On average PBTs earn $1361 per hour for 0 to 5
years of experience with an average of approximately
$100 for every 5 years of experience The survey has also
revealed a potential wage cap around $1800 per hour for
PBTs with more than 20 years of experience
This year we also looked at the average wage of labo-
ratory professionals based on age and found that salaries
continue to increase considerably for every age range except
LAs and PBTs Table 14 MLSsMTsCLSs aged 55 years
and older experience a wage cap at $3282
In addition to analyzing wages this survey also asked
questions to gain an in-depth perspective on the laboratory
workforce The US Department of Laborrsquos Bureau of Labor
Statistics reported that the job outlook for medical and
clinical laboratory technologists and technicians between
2014 and 2024 is expected to grow 16 which is faster
than the average rate1 Figure 8 suggests strategic focus on
recruitment and supports the results of the ASCP 2014
Vacancy Survey (httpajcpascpjournalsorgcontent
1443432fullpdf) on filling the upcoming vacancies
Results show that laboratory professionals are aging and
therefore the field needs to fill the vacancies with
qualified laboratory professionals There is also a need for
recruiting younger laboratory professionals because ac-
cording to the survey results the youngest group are the
PAs with an average age of 3947 years Recruitment
Table 9Average Annual Salaries for Phlebotomists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Phlebotomist Hourly Wage
Washington $1839
Massachusetts $1819
Minnesota $1807
Oregon $1778
Maryland $1720
New York $1639
Virginia $1628
Wisconsin $1610
Montana $1607
Pennsylvania $1586
Illinois $1570
Colorado $1523
Texas $1505
North Carolina $1449
South Carolina $1444
Florida $1428
Indiana $1406
Ohio $1404
Georgia $1377
Missouri $1361
Tennessee $1332
Michigan $1325
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Table 10Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Staff
Between 2013 and 2015a
Staff 2015 2013 Change
CG $3110 $2863 86
CT $3239 $3145 30
MLSMTCLS $2790 $2713 28
LA $1645 $1603 26
MLTCLT $2089 $2049 20
HT $2441 $2396 19
MB $2745 $2696 18
SBB $2851 $2807 15
HTL $2682 $2663 07
PBT $1497 $1560 40
PA $4330 $4632 65
PI or QA $3837 NA NA
LIS $3361 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 11Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Leads
Between 2013 and 2015a
Lead 2015 2013 Change
CG $3551 $3222 1022
HTL $3051 $2876 607
MLTCLT $2355 $2238 522
HT $2801 $2681 448
MLSMTCLS $3154 $3081 236
PBT $1696 $1671 149
CT $3474 $3520 130
SBB $3105 $3211 331
LA $1782 NA NA
MB $3465 NA NA
PA $4781 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 12Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for
Supervisors Between 2013 and 2015a
Supervisor 2015 2013 Change
MLTCLT $2533 $2260 1210
PA $5158 $4874 583
MLSMTCLS $3343 $3282 187
SBB $3443 $3444 ndash004
CT $3695 $3709 ndash038
HTL $3191 $3241 ndash155
HT $3073 $3129 ndash180
CG $3863 $3995 ndash332
MB $3866 NA NA
PBT $2108 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
354 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology354 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
should focus on the following occupational titles CT
HTL MLSMTCLS PI or QA SBB administration and
LIS as their average ages are higher compared with the
national average (Figure 8)
In addition to recruitment retention warrants the same
focus According to Rex Famitangco2 chair of the ASCP
Council of Laboratory Professionals (CLP) ldquoStriving to re-
tain quality staff is a vital part of maintaining a laboratoryrsquos
Table 13Total Years of Experience at Current Occupational Title by Average Hourly Wagea
Time in Current Title y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PA PBT
0-5 $2620 $2833 $2277 $2469 $1516 $1889 $2527 $2621 $4300 $1361
6-10 $3007 $3093 $2525 $2772 $1700 $2089 $2798 $2991 $4489 $1469
11-15 $3304 $3215 $2657 $2952 $1745 $2209 $2979 NA $4693 $1662
16-20 $3593 $3579 $2871 NA NA $2366 $3050 NA NA $1725
21-25 $3718 $3681 $2883 NA NA $2412 $3155 NA NA $1827
26-30 $3835 $3834 $2825 $3279 NA $2512 $3257 NA NA $1810
31-35 NA $3580 NA NA NA $2588 $3308 NA NA NA
36-40 NA $3585 NA NA NA $2607 $3316 NA NA NA
41thorn NA NA NA NA NA $3281 $3281 NA NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PI or QA staff were not included due to its small sample size
Table 14Age by Average Hourly Wagea
Age y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PBT
18-24 NA NA NA NA NA $1760 $2270 NA $1316
25-34 $2823 $2881 $2330 $2446 $1677 $1945 $2545 $2591 $1439
35-44 $3203 $3236 $2575 $2867 $1700 $2085 $2861 $3033 $1508
45-54 $3631 $3449 $2720 $2890 $1704 $2296 $3120 NA $1609
55-64 NA $3703 $2751 $3206 $1794 $2465 $3282 NA $1737
65-74 NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
75thorn NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PAs were not included due to its small sample size
Table 15Percent of Responses per BenefitPerk Offered by Institution
Perks Offered by Institution Total of Responses per Category
Medicalvision benefits 8818
Dental benefits 8469
Pensionretirement benefits 6704
Free or convenient employee parking 6688
Premium pay for overtime holidays and weekends 5947
Paying for continuing education 3957
Paying for tuition 3885
Flexible work hours 2497
Miscellaneous bonuses (eg tied to work company performance etc) 2485
Bonuses not directly tied to work (including holidays and profit-sharing bonuses) 2299
On-call pay 1961
Paying for certifications or qualifications 1720
Monetary bonus (eg sign-on bonus referral bonus miscellaneous bonuses) 1684
Transportation allowances 1174
Paying for professional memberships 1035
Daycare 780
Uniform allowances 700
Laptop or tablet 682
Providing a company phone for you 546
Free or subsidized room and board 086
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 355DOI 101093ajcpaqw220355Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
functionalityrdquo Employee development such as training
continuing education and mentoring can prove beneficial in
retaining staff2 Survey respondents were asked about the
benefits and perks they receive from their institution
and medicaldentalvision pensionretirement overtime
holidayweekends and employee parking were the top
fringe benefits they receive Paying for continuing educa-
tion certifications professional memberships and day care
were among the benefits that are not provided to many labo-
ratory professionals Table 15
Last this survey asked the respondents to provide com-
ments after the completion of the survey We received a total
of 2230 comments and found that 2762 addressed being un-
derpaidunderappreciated 2166 of them addressed the need
for increased wages andraises 1493 provided suggestions
for future surveys 3018 expressed appreciation for the
opportunity this survey provides in giving the laboratory pro-
fessionals a platform to encourage advocacy and 561 were
categorized as ldquoOtherrdquo Institutions are encouraged to take into
consideration laboratory professionalsrsquo compensation and base
their pay on level of education training years of experience
and cost of living as well as making their pay comparable to
other allied health professionals with higher salaries
Corresponding author Edna Garcia MPH 1225 New York Ave
NW Ste 350 Washington DC 20009 ednagarciaascporg
Contributors Carter Ainsworth ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Andrea Bennett MPH
MT (ASCP) ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp Policy
Washington DC Matthew Schulze ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Patricia Tanabe MPA
MLS (ASCP)CM ASCP Board of Certification Chicago IL and
Elizabeth Waibel MPH ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp
Policy Washington DC
Reviewers Mark Bailey MA HTL (ASCP)CM The University
of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Alexandra
Brown MD FASCP ASCP Institute of Science Technology and
Policy Washington DC Lynnette G Chakkaphak MS MT
(ASCP) St Vincentrsquos HealthCare Jacksonville FL Vicki S
Freeman PhD MASCP MLS (ASCP)CM SCCM FACB The
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Jack A Hager
MT (ASCP) SBB Oregon Health and Science University
Portland Rex F Famitangco MS MLS (ASCP)CM QLC MT
(AMT) CLC AHI Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff Carlo Joseph Ledesma MT (ASCP) Rose State
College Midwest City OK and Babatunde Oloyede PhD MLS
(ASCP) Federal Medical Center Durham NC
References
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbookhttpwwwblsgovoohhealthcaremedical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicianshtm Accessed July 182016
2 Famitangco R Investing in employees investing in the futureCrit Values 2016910-12
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
356 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology356 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
United Food and Commercial Workers (711) University
Professional and Technical Employees (671) and United
University Professions (483) The new question added this
yearmdashldquoFrom which budget is your salary paidrdquomdashrevealed
that salaries mainly come from the laboratory general budget
as part of the hospital or organization Figure 6
This year comparison between certified and noncerti-
fied laboratory personnel was not performed because the
low sample size of noncertified compared with certified in-
dividuals provided an inaccurate comparison
Cytogenetic Technologists
The national mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level
CGs is $3110 ($859) Figure 7 Staff CGs are aged 4069
years on average
CG leads earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3551
($729 Figure 7) On average leads are aged 4370 years
CG supervisors are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3863
($945 Figure 7) The average annual wages of CGs by job
level are listed in Table 2 On average supervisor-level
CGs are aged 4606 years
The highest paying type of facility for all CGs is private
industries at an average of $3277 per hour followed by aca-
demic hospitals with more than 500 beds at $3229 and refer-
enceindependent laboratories that pay an hourly wage of
$3160 The average age for all CG respondents is 4212
years which is younger than the national average Figure 8
This survey also looked at average wage by department
Most CG respondents work in the cytogenetics department
and are paid $3249 per hour The highest paying state for
all CG levels is California and the lowest paying state is
North Carolina Table 3 On average a CG has 1395 total
years of experience working in the laboratory field and 995
average years of working in his or her current occupational
title Figure 9 and Figure 10
The sample size (lt30) for each occupational level was
too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay rates by
all facilities and states surveyed For the same reason analy-
sis of the average age by state for CGs was not performed
1495
1119
876
824
754
751
626
505
396
359
337
263
250
239
208
172
156
128
118
106
097
088
061
043
020
010
00 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Physicians office laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Nonprofit
Military VA VHA
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Private industry
Community-based
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Other
Government
Blood center
Education
Reference
Public health laboratory
Clinic-based histology laboratory
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Veterinary
Academic health centersmdashoutpatient
Percentage of Employees
Fa
cil
ity
Ty
pe
Ch
ara
cte
ris
tic
Figure 3 Percentage of respondents by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 337DOI 101093ajcpaqw220337Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
1971
1659
840
663
645
635
555
535
444
366
297
295
265
226
167
116
084
082
079
045
029
000 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000
Generalists
AllMultiple departments
MicrobiologyVirology
Core laboratory
Blood bank
Phlebotomy
Histology
Anatomic pathology
HematologyCoagulation
Chemistry toxicology
Other
Cytogenetics
Cytology
Molecular pathology
LIS-QA-PI
Immunology
Flow cytometry
Specimen processing
Point of care
HLA
Sendouts
Percentage of Employees
Dep
art
men
t
Figure 4 Percentage of respondents by department HLA human leukocyte antigen LIS laboratory information system PI
performance improvement QA quality assurance
2285
2065
1718
1109
720
478
306 295 247 245175 170
114 075
0
5
10
15
20
25
Lic
en
se
d R
esp
on
de
nts
(
)
Licensure StateTerritory
Figure 5 Licensed respondents currently working as a laboratory professional by state (nfrac143598)
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
338 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology338 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
6920
1770
695253 192 110 060
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Laboratorygeneral budgetas part of the
hospital ororganization
I dont know Privatelaboratory
Medical group(pathologists)
Other Government University
Dis
trib
uti
on
(
)
Budget Where Salaries Are Paid
Figure 6 Budget where salaries are paid
$311
0
$323
9
$244
1
$268
2
$164
5
$208
9
$279
0
$274
5
$433
0
$383
7
$149
7 $
285
1
$336
1
$355
1
$347
4
$280
1
$305
1
$178
2
$235
5
$315
4
$346
5 $478
1
$169
6 $
310
5
$386
3
$369
5
$307
3
$319
1
$253
3
$334
3
$386
6 $515
8
$210
8 $344
3
$436
3
$421
1
$401
9
$317
5
$331
3
$422
5
$450
5
$431
5
$379
9
$591
0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Ave
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Occupational Title
Staff
Lead
Supervisor
Manager
Director
Figure 7 Average hourly wage for laboratory staff lead supervisormanager and director positions per occupational title
Sample sizes for some occupational levels were less than 30 and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons For defi-
nitions of abbreviations see Table 1
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 339DOI 101093ajcpaqw220339Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Cytotechnologists
Staff-level CTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3239 ($636 Figure 7) Pay rates per hour for staff are
highest in reference and independent laboratories at
$3355 Academic hospitals with more than 500 beds
and nonacademic hospitals pay $3180 and $3162
respectively The facilities providing the lowest hourly pay
for staff-level CTs are nonacademic hospitals with 0 to 99
beds at $3095 The overall sample size (lt30) for this oc-
cupational level was too small for meaningful statistical
analysis of pay rates by all facilities surveyed Therefore
we report data from only certain facilities According to
Table 2Average Annual Wages by Occupational Title and Levela
Occupational Title
Average Annual Wagesb
Staff Lead Supervisor Manager Director
CG $5956084 $7386766 $8034000 c c
CT $6594283 $7226482 $8616969 $9097138 c
HT $5743858 $5826184 $6987010 $8759371 c
HTL $6091316 $6345144 $7837016 $8359339 c
LA $3421184 $3705832 c c c
LIS $6990646 c c c c
MLTCLT $3973288 $4898192 $5730647 $6603707 c
MLSMTCLS $5738277 $6496662 $7659477 $8326301 $9699018
MB $5421433 $7207803 $8042337 c c
PA $9179712 $9946157 $10728774 c c
PI or QA $7980960 c $8829600 c c
PBT $3114238 $3527514 $4384286 c c
SBB $5929040 $6457922 $7486350 $9370968 c
Administration c c c $8976237 $12283348
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1bSome annual wages listed were made equivalent to a full-time salarycSample size constraints prevented further analysis of wage rate
5362
49734864 4767 4759 4660
4518 4436 43984212 4212
4107 4101 4004 3947
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Ave
rag
e A
ge
(y)
Ocupational Title
Figure 8 Average age of all respondents by occupational title For definitions of abbreviations see Table 1
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
340 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology340 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
survey results staff-level CTs have an average age of
4425 years
Lead CTs earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3474
($524 Figure 7) Their average age is 4754 years The
mean (SD) hourly wage for CT supervisors is $3695
($838 Figure 7) They are on average aged 4947 years
CT managers earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $4363
($812 Figure 7) The average annual wages of CTs by job
level are shown in Table 2 The mean age for managers is
5214 years Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facil-
ities for leads supervisors managers and directors was not
performed due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level
Of the facilities that were analyzed academic hospitals
with 300 to 499 beds show the highest hourly pay rate at
$3534 for all CT respondents regardless of level All CTs
earn an average hourly rate of $3408 at referenceindepen-
dent laboratories $3295 at nonacademic hospitals with 300
to 499 beds $3286 at pathologistclinical scientist laborato-
ries and $3280 at academic hospitals with more than 500
beds The average age for all CT respondents is 4660 years
which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
Most CT respondents work in anatomic pathology and
cytology departments The hourly compensation offered by
these departments is on average $3318 and $3364 respec-
tively Regardless of position level California pays CTs the
highest and Ohio the lowest Table 4 Results indicate that
on average CTs have 1812 total years of experience in the
field and have been in their current position for 1210 years
the most number of years of experience and working in
their current title among all the groups surveyed (Figures 9
and 10)
Analysis of pay rates by all 50 states and the average age by
state for CTs was not performed due to the small sample size
Histotechnicians
The national mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level
HTs is $2441 ($492 Figure 7) Pay rates among the
Table 3Average Annual Salaries for Cytogenetic Technologists by
State From Highest to Lowest Payinga
Cytogenetic Technologist Hourly Wage
California $4379
Massachusetts $3633
Arizona $3571
Minnesota $3296
Tennessee $3082
Virginia $2923
Texas $2769
North Carolina $2419
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
1812
1700
1606 15961543
14701424 1395
12911214
11601126
1058
849
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
To
tal Y
ea
rs o
f E
xp
eri
en
ce
Occupational Title
Figure 9 Average years of total experience in the laboratory field by occupational title For definitions of abbreviations see
Table 1
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 341DOI 101093ajcpaqw220341Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
laboratory facilities surveyed are comparable except for
nonacademic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds which provide
staff HTs with the highest hourly wage of $2533 Academic
hospitals with more than 500 beds and referenceindepen-
dent laboratories pay $2533 and $2522 respectively
Academic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds and 100 to 299
beds both pay an average hourly wage of $2414 Clinic-
based histology laboratories pay $2484 an hour and nonaca-
demic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds pay the least at
$2411 The average age of staff HTs is 4211 years
Lead-level HTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of
$2801 ($623) The average age of lead HTs is 4601 years
HT supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3073
($664) and HT managers are paid $4211 ($1355
Figure 7) The average annual wages of HTs by job level are
listed in Table 2 Supervisors and managers are aged 4749
years and 4860 years on average respectively
Overall all HT respondents are paid the highest in
nonacademic hospitals with over 500 beds at $3385 per
hour and least in private industries at $2482 Figure 11
The average age for all HT respondents is 4398 years simi-
lar to the national average (Figure 8)
Anatomic pathology departments pay HTs an average
hourly wage of $2590 while histology departments pay
$2566 Geographically HTs regardless of position level
are paid a significantly higher wage in California and the
lowest in New York Table 5 According to the survey re-
sults HTs have an average of 1424 years of total experi-
ence in the laboratory field and have been in their current
position for 935 years (Figures 9 and 10)
The overall sample sizes (lt30) for occupational levels
were too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay rates
by all facilities and states surveyed Therefore we report data
from only certain facilities For the same reason analysis of
the average age by state for HTs was not performed
Histotechnologists
The mean (SD) hourly wage for staff HTLs is $2682
($623 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff are highest at academic
hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $2807 Academic
1210
1123
1038995
952 935 913887 872 859
824794
754
692
556
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14A
vera
ge Y
ears
Occupational Title
Figure 10 Average years of working in current occupational title For definitions of abbreviations see Table 1
Table 4Average Annual Salaries for Cytotechnologists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Cytotechnologist Hourly Wage
California $4584
Minnesota $3425
Texas $3416
Florida $3333
Pennsylvania $3096
Ohio $3044
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
342 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology342 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
hospitals with over 500 beds pay $2782 and referencein-
dependent laboratories pay $2688 Staff HTLs have an av-
erage age of 4275 years
Lead-level HTLs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of
$3051 ($640) The average age of lead HTs is 4486 years
Supervisor HTLs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3191 ($630 Figure 7) The average age for supervisors is
4818 years Manager HTLs earn a mean (SD) hourly wage
of $4019 ($1346 Figure 7) The average annual wages of
HTLs by job level are listed in Table 2 Survey results indi-
cate that the average age for managers is 4977 years
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities for
leads supervisors managers and directors was not performed
due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level Regardless
of level academic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds and over
500 beds show the highest hourly pay rate at $2963 and
$2943 respectively HTLs earn an average hourly rate of
$2817 at referenceindependent laboratories $2817 at pri-
vate industries and $2705 at pathologistclinical scientist lab-
oratories The average age for all HTL respondents is 4518
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
By department most HTL respondents are found in an-
atomic pathology and histology They are paid average
hourly wages of $2941 and $2774 respectively The high-
est paying state for all HTL levels is California and the low-
est paying state is Michigan Table 6 Overall HTLs have
an average of 1543 years of total experience in the labora-
tory field and have been working in their current occupa-
tional title for an average of 913 years (Figures 9 and 10)
The overall sample sizes (lt30) for the occupational levels
were too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay rates
by all facilities and states surveyed For the same reason anal-
ysis of the average age by state for HTLs was not performed
Laboratory Assistants
On average LA staff members make a mean (SD)
hourly wage of $1645 ($378 Figure 7) Outpatient clinic
laboratories pay the most for staff LAs at $1750 per hour
Academic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds pay the highest at
$3385
$2855
$2655
$2623
$2579
$2545
$2538
$2537
$2503
$2492
$2482
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Physic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
al PathologistClinic scientist laboratory
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Clinic-based histology laboratory
Hospital 300-499 beds
Hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Average Hourly Wage for All HT Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 11 Average hourly wage of all histotechnician (HT) respondents by facility
Table 5Average Annual Salaries for Histotechnicians by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Histotechnician Hourly Wage
California $3081
Arizona $2679
Georgia $2675
Texas $2643
Pennsylvania $2512
Illinois $2481
Tennessee $2462
Florida $2443
Minnesota $2438
Wisconsin $2418
Michigan $2347
North Carolina $2339
Ohio $2301
New York $2247
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 343DOI 101093ajcpaqw220343Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
$1641 per hour and academic hospitals with 300 to 499
beds pay the lowest at $1575 per hour Results of the wage
difference between the other laboratory facilities for staff
LAs do not allow for statistically significant comparisons
Results indicate they have an average age of 4096 years
LA leads earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $1782 ($381
Figure 7) The average annual wages of LAs by job level are
listed in Table 2 On average leads are 4144 years old
Overall all LA respondents are paid the highest in out-
patient clinic laboratories at $1789 per hour and the least in
academic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds at $1690 and aca-
demic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $1661 The average
age for all LA respondents is 4107 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8)
LA respondents are mostly found in the following de-
partments with the corresponding average hourly pay all
multiple departments $1759 phlebotomy $1668 and
specimen processing $1637 Results show that LAs have
an average of 1126 years of total experience working in the
field and have worked in their current position for an aver-
age of 754 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Results of the wage difference between laboratory fa-
cilities and states for LA leads managers and supervisors
do not allow for statistically significant comparisons For
the same reason analysis of the average age by state for
LAs was not performed
Medical Laboratory TechniciansClinical Laboratory
Technicians
The national mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level
MLTsCLTs is $2089 ($454 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff
are highest in government facilities at $2185 per hour and
lowest at academic hospitals with less than 100 beds at
$1989 per hour Figure 12 The average age of staff MLTs
CLTs is 4012 years By state Indiana has the oldest staff at
4381 years with the youngest in Alabama at 3675 years
Figure 13 The overall sample size (lt30) for this occupa-
tional level was too small for meaningful statistical analysis
of pay rates by all facilities surveyed
Lead MLTsCLTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$2355 ($531 Figure 7) Results indicate they have an aver-
age age of 4339 years The mean (SD) hourly wage for
MLTCLT supervisors is $2533 ($650 Figure 7) The av-
erage age for this group is 4523 years MLTCLT managers
earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3175 ($647 Figure 7)
The average annual wages of MLTsCLT by job level are
listed in Table 2 The age of managers averages 4800 years
Community-based facilities show the highest hourly pay
rate at $2239 and academic hospitals with fewer than 100
beds show the lowest at $2030 for all MLTCLTs Figure 14
$2185
$2119
$2118
$2117
$2115
$2114
$2102
$2084
$2076
$2074
$2035
$1990
$1989
$1850 $1900 $1950 $2000 $2050 $2100 $2150 $2200
Government
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos office laboratory
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Public health laboratory
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff MLTCLT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 12 Average hourly wage of staff medical laboratory techniciansclinical laboratory technicians (MLTsCLTs) by facility
Table 6Average Annual Salaries for Histotechnologists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Histotechnologist Hourly Wage
California $3570
New York $3208
Florida $2833
Pennsylvania $2695
Texas $2615
North Carolina $2610
Illinois $2527
Michigan $2282
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
344 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology344 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
438
1
430
0
428
8
425
1
424
9
424
7
415
5
408
4
404
1
403
5
397
4
395
7
394
9
391
9
391
3
387
8
386
4
384
6
383
5
383
2
378
8
375
6
367
5
32
34
36
38
40
42
44
46A
ve
rag
e A
ge
(y)
States
Figure 13 Average ages for staff medical laboratory techniciansclinical laboratory technicians (MLTsCLSs) by state Sample
size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons
$2239
$2186
$2178
$2155
$2151
$2150
$2133
$2130
$2114
$2112
$2099
$2049
$2030
$1900 $1950 $2000 $2050 $2100 $2150 $2200 $2250
Community-based
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonp t
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for all MLTCLT Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 14 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory technicianclinical laboratory technician (MLTCLT) respondents by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
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by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
The average age for all MLTCLT respondents is 4101 years
younger than the national average (Figure 8)
According to survey results the blood bank department
paid MLTsCLTs the highest at an average of $2328 per hour
and allmultiple departments the lowest at $2064 per hour
Figure 15 Geographically MLTsCLTs regardless of posi-
tion level are paid significantly higher wages in California
and lowest in Alabama Table 7 Overall MLTsCLTs have
an average of 1214 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and have been working in their current title for 887
years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities de-
partment and states for leads supervisors managers and
directors was not performed due to the small sample size
(lt30) of each level For the same reason average age by
state was not analyzed
Medical Laboratory ScientistsMedical Technologists
Clinical Laboratory Scientists
Staff-level MLSsMTsCLSs are paid a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $2790 ($678 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff
are highest at government facilities at $2990 per hour
and lowest at physiciansrsquo office laboratories (POLs) at
$2502 per hour Figure 16 The mean age for staff MLSs
MTsCLSs is 4196 years Geographically MLTsCLTs
are the oldest in New Hampshire and the youngest in South
Dakota Figure 17
$2328 $2308
$2260
$2149 $2133 $2129 $2119
$2064
$1900
$1950
$2000
$2050
$2100
$2150
$2200
$2250
$2300
$2350
Ave
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Departments
Figure 15 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) medical laboratory technicianclinical labora-
tory technician (MLTCLT) respondents by department
Table 7Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Technicians
Clinical Laboratory Technicians by State From Highest to
Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory Technician
Clinical Laboratory Technician Hourly Wage
California $2927
Massachusetts $2526
Washington $2460
New York $2449
Maryland $2428
Arizona $2367
Colorado $2305
Minnesota $2265
Pennsylvania $2239
Nebraska $2193
Virginia $2188
Wisconsin $2156
Indiana $2120
Illinois $2120
Ohio $2101
Georgia $2076
Iowa $2074
Texas $2060
Michigan $2055
Kentucky $2041
Tennessee $2020
Missouri $2014
Kansas $1996
North Carolina $1857
Mississippi $1808
South Carolina $1787
Alabama $1775
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
346 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology346 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
MLSMTCLS leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3154 ($735 Figure 7) Academic hospitals with 300 to
499 beds pay a significantly high hourly rate for lead MLSs
MTsCLSs compared with all facilities surveyed at $3335
The facility providing the lowest pay is the POL at $2771 per
hour Figure 18 They have an average age of 4597 years
MLSMTCLS supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly
rate of $3343 ($900 Figure 7) Results indicate that refer-
enceindependent laboratories pay the highest hourly wage
at $3622 whereas POLs pay $2871 per hour Figure 19
This group has an average age of 4834 years
The mean (SD) hourly wage for MLSMTCLS managers
is $3313 ($952 Figure 7) Pay rates for managers are highest
at referenceindependent laboratories at $4463 per hour fol-
lowed by academic hospitals with over 500 beds at $4242
nonacademic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $4130 nonac-
ademic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds at $4041 POLs at
$3653 and academic hospitals with fewer than 100 beds
at $3125 per hour Results indicate that managers have an
average age of 5017 years
MLSMTCLS directors earn a mean (SD) hourly wage
of $3799 ($1519 Figure 7) The average annual wages of
MLSsMTsCLSs by job level are listed in Table 2
Directors have an average age of 5186 years
MLSMTCLS respondents regardless of level are
paid the lowest in blood centers at $2623 per hour and
highest in government facilities at $3279 per hour
Figure 20 The average age for all MLSMTCLS re-
spondents is 4436 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8)
Survey results indicate that the LIS-QA-PI department
pays the highest at $3516 and the generalists department
pays the lowest at $2791 on average per hour Figure 21
The top 10 highest-paying states for all MLSMTCLS
levels are California Nevada Oregon Massachusetts
Connecticut Washington New York Arizona Minnesota
and Colorado Table 8 According to survey results MLSs
MTsCLSs have an average of 1596 years of total experience
in the laboratory field and have been working in their current
occupational title for 1038 years (Figures 9 and 10)
$2990
$2870
$2861
$2848
$2834
$2821
$2816
$2807
$2790
$2784
$2779
$2776
$2752
$2697
$2656
$2635
$2579
$2502
$22 $23 $24 $25 $26 $27 $28 $29 $30
Government
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Private industry
Reference
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Military VA VHA
Nonp t
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Blood center
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Staff MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 16 Average hourly wage of staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 347DOI 101093ajcpaqw220347Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
The overall sample size (lt30) for all occupational lev-
els was too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay
rates by all facilities and departments surveyed For the
same reason average age by state for leads supervisors and
directors was not analyzed
Molecular Biologists
The mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level MBs is
$2745 ($828 Figure 7) According to survey results staff
MBs have an average age of 3841 years
Lead-level MBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3465
($844 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4341 years
MB supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3866 ($1233
Figure 7) The average annual wages of MBs by job level are
listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervisors have an aver-
age age of 4216 years and managers of 3896 years
Most of the MB respondents are found in the molecular
pathology (pathgen) department and are paid an average
hourly wage of $2963 The average age for all MB respon-
dents is 4004 years which is younger than the national av-
erage (Figure 8) According to survey results MBs have
849 total years of experience working in the laboratory
field and an average of 556 years working in their current
occupational title the least number of years of experience
and working in their current title among all the groups sur-
veyed (Figures 9 and 10)
Results regarding the wage differences between
laboratory facilities and states for MBs do not allow for
480
5
467
9
463
9
455
2
454
7
454
0
452
3
450
6
449
8
447
6
443
6
438
9
436
3
436
1
435
0
434
2
431
0
426
8
425
6
424
3
422
8
422
0
420
8
418
8
418
4
417
2
415
7
411
7
408
8
407
0
402
1
401
3
401
2
397
2
396
2
390
6
387
2
377
1
371
2
369
7
360
0
359
3
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50A
ve
rag
e A
ge
(y)
States
Figure 17 Average ages for staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists (MLSsMTs
CLSs) by state Sample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
348 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology348 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
statistically significant comparisons because respondents
in the survey had a small sample size For the same
reason average ages by state of each level were not
analyzed
Pathologistsrsquo Assistants
The mean (SD) national hourly wage for staff-level
PAs is $4330 ($1291 Figure 7) The mean age for staff
PAs is 3783 years
$3335
$3314
$3301
$3282
$3229
$3205
$3197
$3197
$3130
$3035
$3018
$2937
$2914
$2771
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Military VA VHA
No t
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Average Hourly Wage for Lead MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 18 Average hourly wage of lead medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
$3622
$3563
$3558
$3473
$3456
$3354
$3152
$2871
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35 $40
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Supervisor MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 19 Average hourly wage of supervisor medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 349DOI 101093ajcpaqw220349Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Lead PAs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $4781
($827 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4226 years The
mean (SD) hourly wage for PA supervisors is $5158
($1088 Figure 7) The average annual wages of PAs by
job level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervi-
sors have an average age of 4107 years and managers of
4706 years
PA respondents were mostly found in the anatomic pa-
thology departments which pays them an average salary of
$4312 per hour According to survey results PAs are the
youngest laboratory professionals with an average age of
3947 years which is younger than the national average
(Figure 8) Overall PAs have an average of 1058 total years
of experience in the laboratory field and 794 years in their
current title (Figures 9 and 10)
We did not perform analysis of wage data by facility
and state for PAs because the results would provide statisti-
cally insignificant values due to the small sample size For
the same reason average ages by state of each level were
not analyzed
Performance Improvement or Quality Assurance
The mean (SD) hourly wage for PI or QA staff is
$3837 ($913 Figure 7) The average age of staff PI or QA
is 4902 years Manager-level PI or QA staff are paid a
mean (SD) hourly rate of $4225 ($1042 Figure 7) The av-
erage annual wages of PI or QA staff by job level are listed
in Table 2 The mean age for managers is 4674 years
The department where most PI or QA personnel were
found is the LIS-QA-PI This department pays an average
hourly wage of $3378 Results indicate that leads have an
average age of 4593 years supervisors 4877 years and di-
rectors 5670 years The average age for all PI or QA re-
spondents is 4864 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8) According to survey results PI or QA
staff have an average of 1291 years of total experience in
the laboratory field and 692 years working in their current
occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of overall mean hourly wage for leads supervi-
sors and directors as well as average hourly wages paid by
facilities and states for PI or QA staff was not performed due
$3279
$3064
$3002
$2998
$2981
$2929
$2922
$2918
$2908
$2906
$2904
$2878
$2855
$2804
$2801
$2785
$2783
$2775
$2769
$2640
$2623
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Government
Military VA VHA
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Reference
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonp t
Community-based
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Public health laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Private industry
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Blood center
Average Hourly Wage for All MLSMTCLS Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 20 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
350 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology350 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
to the small sample size (lt30) of each level For the same rea-
son average ages by state of each level were not analyzed
Phlebotomists
Staff PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1497
($342 Figure 7) Results indicate that academic hospitals
with over 500 beds pay the highest hourly wage at $1584
and that hospitals with fewer than 100 beds pay the lowest
hourly wage at $1375 Figure 22 The overall sample size
(lt30) for this occupational level was too small for meaning-
ful statistical analysis of pay rates by all institutions sur-
veyed The data indicate that the average age for staff PBTs
is 4179 years
Lead PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1696
($344 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4322 years PBT man-
agers earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $2108 ($701 Figure
7) The average annual wages of PBTs by job level are listed
in Table 2 This group has an average age of 4428 years
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities for
leads supervisors managers and directors was not per-
formed due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level
But overall academic hospitals with over 500 beds pay the
highest hourly wage at $1635 and academic hospitals with
less than 100 beds at $1413 for PBTs Figure 23
Geographically PBTs regardless of position level are paid
a significantly higher wage in Washington State and lowest
in Michigan Table 9
Most PBT respondents are found in the phlebotomy and
allmultiple departments They are paid an average hourly
wage of $1546 and $1527 respectively The average age
for all PBT respondents is 4212 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8) Overall PBTs have an
average of 1160 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and 824 years working in their current title (Figures 9
and 10)
Analysis of the average age for PBT managers and directors
was not performed due to the small sample size For the same
reason analysis of average age by state was not performed
Specialists in Blood Banking
Staff-level SBBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $2851
($946 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4558 years
SBB leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3105
($610 Figure 7) Data indicate that the average age for lead
SBBs is 4242 years SBB supervisors earn a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $3443 ($637 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4924
years The mean (SD) hourly wage for SBB managers is $4505
($996 Figure 7) The average annual wages of SBBs by job
level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that the average age
for managers is 4979 years while directors are at 5171 years
Most SBB respondents are found in the blood bank de-
partment which pays them an average hourly wage of
$3137 The average age for all SBB respondents is 4767
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
$3516
$3211 $3106 $3099 $3031 $3002 $3001 $2981 $2908 $2845 $2834 $2791
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40A
ve
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Figure 21 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by department
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 351DOI 101093ajcpaqw220351Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Results show that SBBs have an average of 1700 years of
total experience working in the field and have been working
in their current title for 872 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility and state as well as
average age by state for SBBs was not performed because
the results would provide statistically insignificant values
For the same reason average ages by state of each level
were not analyzed
Administration
The mean (SD) hourly wage for administration man-
agers is $4315 ($1101 Figure 7) The average age of man-
agers is 5157 years Administration directors earn a mean
(SD) hourly wage of $5910 ($2122 Figure 7) The average
annual wages of administrative personnel by job level are
listed in Table 2 Data indicate that the average age for di-
rectors is 5504 years
Administrative personnel are the oldest group of labora-
tory professionals with an overall average age of 5362
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
Overall administrative personnel have an average of 1606
total years of experience in the laboratory field and 952
years in their current occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was not performed
Laboratory Information Systems
Staff-level LIS personnel are paid a mean (SD) hourly
wage of $3361 ($704 Figure 7) The mean age for LIS
staff is 4820 years
Leads have an average age of 5167 years supervisors
5263 years and managers 5067 years The average age for
all LIS respondents is 4973 years which is older than the
national average (Figure 8) According to survey results
LIS personnel have an average of 1470 years of total expe-
rience in the laboratory field and have been working in their
current title for 859 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was performed
Summary
Compared with the 2013 ASCP wage survey salaries are
up for all staff-level laboratory professionals except PBTs and
PAs who have a ndash40 and ndash650 change in annual hourly
wage respectively Table 10 The annual hourly wages for
leads were also up in 2015 except for CTs (ndash130) and
SBBs (ndash331) Table 11 Supervisorsrsquo annual hourly wages
however are down except for MLTsCLTs PAs and MLSs
MTsCLSs at 1210 583 and 187 respectively
Table 12 Manager- and director-level comparisons were not
conducted due to small sample size LAs and PBTs regardless
of level continue to have lower salaries while PAs and
administration personnel have higher salaries than the rest of
the laboratory professions surveyed
Table 8Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Scientists
Medical TechnologistsClinical Laboratory Scientists by State
From Highest to Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory ScientistMedical
TechnologistClinical Laboratory Scientist Hourly Wage
California $4620
Nevada $3494
Oregon $3324
Massachusetts $3262
Connecticut $3253
Washington $3190
New York $3087
Arizona $3082
Minnesota $3060
Colorado $3054
New Jersey $3020
New Hampshire $2999
Maryland $2933
Georgia $2881
Idaho $2814
Montana $2795
Kansas $2753
New Mexico $2737
Missouri $2735
South Carolina $2729
Pennsylvania $2728
Wisconsin $2725
Florida $2710
Kentucky $2697
Virginia $2697
Indiana $2694
Ohio $2687
Illinois $2683
Texas $2682
Nebraska $2679
Michigan $2615
Maine $2605
Tennessee $2597
Oklahoma $2589
Louisiana $2585
Iowa $2579
West Virginia $2568
North Carolina $2499
Utah $2487
Mississippi $2461
North Dakota $2458
Alabama $2457
Arkansas $2444
South Dakota $2441
Puerto Rico $1526
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
352 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology352 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Although salaries appear to have increased over time
for the overall profession there is not a considerable differ-
ence between the average hourly wages of laboratory pro-
fessionals working as they accumulate more years of
experience in the field Table 13 For example the average
hourly wage for HTs for the first 5 years is $2277 It was
found that HTs received a pay raise after 6 to 10 years of
work experience earning an average of $2525 per hour
However it appears that there is a wage cap around $2800
per hour for HTs with more than 16 years of experience
$1635
$1607
$1575
$1565
$1506
$1498
$1488
$1483
$1413
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600 $1650
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Overall Hourly Wage for PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 23 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) phlebotomist (PBT) respondents by facility
$1584
$1557
$1548
$1476
$1468
$1466
$1465
$1450
$1426
$1375
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonp t
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 22 Average hourly wage of staff phlebotomists (PBTs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 353DOI 101093ajcpaqw220353Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
For MLTsCLTs the average hourly wage is $1889 for the
first 5 years of experience While MLTsCLTs tended to re-
ceive an increased hourly wage for every 5 years of work
experience those working for 36 to 40 years only earn
$718 per hour more than those with 0 to 5 years of experi-
ence On average PBTs earn $1361 per hour for 0 to 5
years of experience with an average of approximately
$100 for every 5 years of experience The survey has also
revealed a potential wage cap around $1800 per hour for
PBTs with more than 20 years of experience
This year we also looked at the average wage of labo-
ratory professionals based on age and found that salaries
continue to increase considerably for every age range except
LAs and PBTs Table 14 MLSsMTsCLSs aged 55 years
and older experience a wage cap at $3282
In addition to analyzing wages this survey also asked
questions to gain an in-depth perspective on the laboratory
workforce The US Department of Laborrsquos Bureau of Labor
Statistics reported that the job outlook for medical and
clinical laboratory technologists and technicians between
2014 and 2024 is expected to grow 16 which is faster
than the average rate1 Figure 8 suggests strategic focus on
recruitment and supports the results of the ASCP 2014
Vacancy Survey (httpajcpascpjournalsorgcontent
1443432fullpdf) on filling the upcoming vacancies
Results show that laboratory professionals are aging and
therefore the field needs to fill the vacancies with
qualified laboratory professionals There is also a need for
recruiting younger laboratory professionals because ac-
cording to the survey results the youngest group are the
PAs with an average age of 3947 years Recruitment
Table 9Average Annual Salaries for Phlebotomists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Phlebotomist Hourly Wage
Washington $1839
Massachusetts $1819
Minnesota $1807
Oregon $1778
Maryland $1720
New York $1639
Virginia $1628
Wisconsin $1610
Montana $1607
Pennsylvania $1586
Illinois $1570
Colorado $1523
Texas $1505
North Carolina $1449
South Carolina $1444
Florida $1428
Indiana $1406
Ohio $1404
Georgia $1377
Missouri $1361
Tennessee $1332
Michigan $1325
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Table 10Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Staff
Between 2013 and 2015a
Staff 2015 2013 Change
CG $3110 $2863 86
CT $3239 $3145 30
MLSMTCLS $2790 $2713 28
LA $1645 $1603 26
MLTCLT $2089 $2049 20
HT $2441 $2396 19
MB $2745 $2696 18
SBB $2851 $2807 15
HTL $2682 $2663 07
PBT $1497 $1560 40
PA $4330 $4632 65
PI or QA $3837 NA NA
LIS $3361 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 11Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Leads
Between 2013 and 2015a
Lead 2015 2013 Change
CG $3551 $3222 1022
HTL $3051 $2876 607
MLTCLT $2355 $2238 522
HT $2801 $2681 448
MLSMTCLS $3154 $3081 236
PBT $1696 $1671 149
CT $3474 $3520 130
SBB $3105 $3211 331
LA $1782 NA NA
MB $3465 NA NA
PA $4781 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 12Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for
Supervisors Between 2013 and 2015a
Supervisor 2015 2013 Change
MLTCLT $2533 $2260 1210
PA $5158 $4874 583
MLSMTCLS $3343 $3282 187
SBB $3443 $3444 ndash004
CT $3695 $3709 ndash038
HTL $3191 $3241 ndash155
HT $3073 $3129 ndash180
CG $3863 $3995 ndash332
MB $3866 NA NA
PBT $2108 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
354 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology354 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
should focus on the following occupational titles CT
HTL MLSMTCLS PI or QA SBB administration and
LIS as their average ages are higher compared with the
national average (Figure 8)
In addition to recruitment retention warrants the same
focus According to Rex Famitangco2 chair of the ASCP
Council of Laboratory Professionals (CLP) ldquoStriving to re-
tain quality staff is a vital part of maintaining a laboratoryrsquos
Table 13Total Years of Experience at Current Occupational Title by Average Hourly Wagea
Time in Current Title y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PA PBT
0-5 $2620 $2833 $2277 $2469 $1516 $1889 $2527 $2621 $4300 $1361
6-10 $3007 $3093 $2525 $2772 $1700 $2089 $2798 $2991 $4489 $1469
11-15 $3304 $3215 $2657 $2952 $1745 $2209 $2979 NA $4693 $1662
16-20 $3593 $3579 $2871 NA NA $2366 $3050 NA NA $1725
21-25 $3718 $3681 $2883 NA NA $2412 $3155 NA NA $1827
26-30 $3835 $3834 $2825 $3279 NA $2512 $3257 NA NA $1810
31-35 NA $3580 NA NA NA $2588 $3308 NA NA NA
36-40 NA $3585 NA NA NA $2607 $3316 NA NA NA
41thorn NA NA NA NA NA $3281 $3281 NA NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PI or QA staff were not included due to its small sample size
Table 14Age by Average Hourly Wagea
Age y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PBT
18-24 NA NA NA NA NA $1760 $2270 NA $1316
25-34 $2823 $2881 $2330 $2446 $1677 $1945 $2545 $2591 $1439
35-44 $3203 $3236 $2575 $2867 $1700 $2085 $2861 $3033 $1508
45-54 $3631 $3449 $2720 $2890 $1704 $2296 $3120 NA $1609
55-64 NA $3703 $2751 $3206 $1794 $2465 $3282 NA $1737
65-74 NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
75thorn NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PAs were not included due to its small sample size
Table 15Percent of Responses per BenefitPerk Offered by Institution
Perks Offered by Institution Total of Responses per Category
Medicalvision benefits 8818
Dental benefits 8469
Pensionretirement benefits 6704
Free or convenient employee parking 6688
Premium pay for overtime holidays and weekends 5947
Paying for continuing education 3957
Paying for tuition 3885
Flexible work hours 2497
Miscellaneous bonuses (eg tied to work company performance etc) 2485
Bonuses not directly tied to work (including holidays and profit-sharing bonuses) 2299
On-call pay 1961
Paying for certifications or qualifications 1720
Monetary bonus (eg sign-on bonus referral bonus miscellaneous bonuses) 1684
Transportation allowances 1174
Paying for professional memberships 1035
Daycare 780
Uniform allowances 700
Laptop or tablet 682
Providing a company phone for you 546
Free or subsidized room and board 086
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 355DOI 101093ajcpaqw220355Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
functionalityrdquo Employee development such as training
continuing education and mentoring can prove beneficial in
retaining staff2 Survey respondents were asked about the
benefits and perks they receive from their institution
and medicaldentalvision pensionretirement overtime
holidayweekends and employee parking were the top
fringe benefits they receive Paying for continuing educa-
tion certifications professional memberships and day care
were among the benefits that are not provided to many labo-
ratory professionals Table 15
Last this survey asked the respondents to provide com-
ments after the completion of the survey We received a total
of 2230 comments and found that 2762 addressed being un-
derpaidunderappreciated 2166 of them addressed the need
for increased wages andraises 1493 provided suggestions
for future surveys 3018 expressed appreciation for the
opportunity this survey provides in giving the laboratory pro-
fessionals a platform to encourage advocacy and 561 were
categorized as ldquoOtherrdquo Institutions are encouraged to take into
consideration laboratory professionalsrsquo compensation and base
their pay on level of education training years of experience
and cost of living as well as making their pay comparable to
other allied health professionals with higher salaries
Corresponding author Edna Garcia MPH 1225 New York Ave
NW Ste 350 Washington DC 20009 ednagarciaascporg
Contributors Carter Ainsworth ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Andrea Bennett MPH
MT (ASCP) ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp Policy
Washington DC Matthew Schulze ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Patricia Tanabe MPA
MLS (ASCP)CM ASCP Board of Certification Chicago IL and
Elizabeth Waibel MPH ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp
Policy Washington DC
Reviewers Mark Bailey MA HTL (ASCP)CM The University
of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Alexandra
Brown MD FASCP ASCP Institute of Science Technology and
Policy Washington DC Lynnette G Chakkaphak MS MT
(ASCP) St Vincentrsquos HealthCare Jacksonville FL Vicki S
Freeman PhD MASCP MLS (ASCP)CM SCCM FACB The
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Jack A Hager
MT (ASCP) SBB Oregon Health and Science University
Portland Rex F Famitangco MS MLS (ASCP)CM QLC MT
(AMT) CLC AHI Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff Carlo Joseph Ledesma MT (ASCP) Rose State
College Midwest City OK and Babatunde Oloyede PhD MLS
(ASCP) Federal Medical Center Durham NC
References
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbookhttpwwwblsgovoohhealthcaremedical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicianshtm Accessed July 182016
2 Famitangco R Investing in employees investing in the futureCrit Values 2016910-12
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
356 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology356 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
1971
1659
840
663
645
635
555
535
444
366
297
295
265
226
167
116
084
082
079
045
029
000 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000
Generalists
AllMultiple departments
MicrobiologyVirology
Core laboratory
Blood bank
Phlebotomy
Histology
Anatomic pathology
HematologyCoagulation
Chemistry toxicology
Other
Cytogenetics
Cytology
Molecular pathology
LIS-QA-PI
Immunology
Flow cytometry
Specimen processing
Point of care
HLA
Sendouts
Percentage of Employees
Dep
art
men
t
Figure 4 Percentage of respondents by department HLA human leukocyte antigen LIS laboratory information system PI
performance improvement QA quality assurance
2285
2065
1718
1109
720
478
306 295 247 245175 170
114 075
0
5
10
15
20
25
Lic
en
se
d R
esp
on
de
nts
(
)
Licensure StateTerritory
Figure 5 Licensed respondents currently working as a laboratory professional by state (nfrac143598)
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
338 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology338 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
6920
1770
695253 192 110 060
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Laboratorygeneral budgetas part of the
hospital ororganization
I dont know Privatelaboratory
Medical group(pathologists)
Other Government University
Dis
trib
uti
on
(
)
Budget Where Salaries Are Paid
Figure 6 Budget where salaries are paid
$311
0
$323
9
$244
1
$268
2
$164
5
$208
9
$279
0
$274
5
$433
0
$383
7
$149
7 $
285
1
$336
1
$355
1
$347
4
$280
1
$305
1
$178
2
$235
5
$315
4
$346
5 $478
1
$169
6 $
310
5
$386
3
$369
5
$307
3
$319
1
$253
3
$334
3
$386
6 $515
8
$210
8 $344
3
$436
3
$421
1
$401
9
$317
5
$331
3
$422
5
$450
5
$431
5
$379
9
$591
0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Ave
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Occupational Title
Staff
Lead
Supervisor
Manager
Director
Figure 7 Average hourly wage for laboratory staff lead supervisormanager and director positions per occupational title
Sample sizes for some occupational levels were less than 30 and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons For defi-
nitions of abbreviations see Table 1
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 339DOI 101093ajcpaqw220339Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Cytotechnologists
Staff-level CTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3239 ($636 Figure 7) Pay rates per hour for staff are
highest in reference and independent laboratories at
$3355 Academic hospitals with more than 500 beds
and nonacademic hospitals pay $3180 and $3162
respectively The facilities providing the lowest hourly pay
for staff-level CTs are nonacademic hospitals with 0 to 99
beds at $3095 The overall sample size (lt30) for this oc-
cupational level was too small for meaningful statistical
analysis of pay rates by all facilities surveyed Therefore
we report data from only certain facilities According to
Table 2Average Annual Wages by Occupational Title and Levela
Occupational Title
Average Annual Wagesb
Staff Lead Supervisor Manager Director
CG $5956084 $7386766 $8034000 c c
CT $6594283 $7226482 $8616969 $9097138 c
HT $5743858 $5826184 $6987010 $8759371 c
HTL $6091316 $6345144 $7837016 $8359339 c
LA $3421184 $3705832 c c c
LIS $6990646 c c c c
MLTCLT $3973288 $4898192 $5730647 $6603707 c
MLSMTCLS $5738277 $6496662 $7659477 $8326301 $9699018
MB $5421433 $7207803 $8042337 c c
PA $9179712 $9946157 $10728774 c c
PI or QA $7980960 c $8829600 c c
PBT $3114238 $3527514 $4384286 c c
SBB $5929040 $6457922 $7486350 $9370968 c
Administration c c c $8976237 $12283348
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1bSome annual wages listed were made equivalent to a full-time salarycSample size constraints prevented further analysis of wage rate
5362
49734864 4767 4759 4660
4518 4436 43984212 4212
4107 4101 4004 3947
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Ave
rag
e A
ge
(y)
Ocupational Title
Figure 8 Average age of all respondents by occupational title For definitions of abbreviations see Table 1
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
340 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology340 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
survey results staff-level CTs have an average age of
4425 years
Lead CTs earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3474
($524 Figure 7) Their average age is 4754 years The
mean (SD) hourly wage for CT supervisors is $3695
($838 Figure 7) They are on average aged 4947 years
CT managers earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $4363
($812 Figure 7) The average annual wages of CTs by job
level are shown in Table 2 The mean age for managers is
5214 years Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facil-
ities for leads supervisors managers and directors was not
performed due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level
Of the facilities that were analyzed academic hospitals
with 300 to 499 beds show the highest hourly pay rate at
$3534 for all CT respondents regardless of level All CTs
earn an average hourly rate of $3408 at referenceindepen-
dent laboratories $3295 at nonacademic hospitals with 300
to 499 beds $3286 at pathologistclinical scientist laborato-
ries and $3280 at academic hospitals with more than 500
beds The average age for all CT respondents is 4660 years
which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
Most CT respondents work in anatomic pathology and
cytology departments The hourly compensation offered by
these departments is on average $3318 and $3364 respec-
tively Regardless of position level California pays CTs the
highest and Ohio the lowest Table 4 Results indicate that
on average CTs have 1812 total years of experience in the
field and have been in their current position for 1210 years
the most number of years of experience and working in
their current title among all the groups surveyed (Figures 9
and 10)
Analysis of pay rates by all 50 states and the average age by
state for CTs was not performed due to the small sample size
Histotechnicians
The national mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level
HTs is $2441 ($492 Figure 7) Pay rates among the
Table 3Average Annual Salaries for Cytogenetic Technologists by
State From Highest to Lowest Payinga
Cytogenetic Technologist Hourly Wage
California $4379
Massachusetts $3633
Arizona $3571
Minnesota $3296
Tennessee $3082
Virginia $2923
Texas $2769
North Carolina $2419
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
1812
1700
1606 15961543
14701424 1395
12911214
11601126
1058
849
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
To
tal Y
ea
rs o
f E
xp
eri
en
ce
Occupational Title
Figure 9 Average years of total experience in the laboratory field by occupational title For definitions of abbreviations see
Table 1
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 341DOI 101093ajcpaqw220341Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
laboratory facilities surveyed are comparable except for
nonacademic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds which provide
staff HTs with the highest hourly wage of $2533 Academic
hospitals with more than 500 beds and referenceindepen-
dent laboratories pay $2533 and $2522 respectively
Academic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds and 100 to 299
beds both pay an average hourly wage of $2414 Clinic-
based histology laboratories pay $2484 an hour and nonaca-
demic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds pay the least at
$2411 The average age of staff HTs is 4211 years
Lead-level HTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of
$2801 ($623) The average age of lead HTs is 4601 years
HT supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3073
($664) and HT managers are paid $4211 ($1355
Figure 7) The average annual wages of HTs by job level are
listed in Table 2 Supervisors and managers are aged 4749
years and 4860 years on average respectively
Overall all HT respondents are paid the highest in
nonacademic hospitals with over 500 beds at $3385 per
hour and least in private industries at $2482 Figure 11
The average age for all HT respondents is 4398 years simi-
lar to the national average (Figure 8)
Anatomic pathology departments pay HTs an average
hourly wage of $2590 while histology departments pay
$2566 Geographically HTs regardless of position level
are paid a significantly higher wage in California and the
lowest in New York Table 5 According to the survey re-
sults HTs have an average of 1424 years of total experi-
ence in the laboratory field and have been in their current
position for 935 years (Figures 9 and 10)
The overall sample sizes (lt30) for occupational levels
were too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay rates
by all facilities and states surveyed Therefore we report data
from only certain facilities For the same reason analysis of
the average age by state for HTs was not performed
Histotechnologists
The mean (SD) hourly wage for staff HTLs is $2682
($623 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff are highest at academic
hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $2807 Academic
1210
1123
1038995
952 935 913887 872 859
824794
754
692
556
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14A
vera
ge Y
ears
Occupational Title
Figure 10 Average years of working in current occupational title For definitions of abbreviations see Table 1
Table 4Average Annual Salaries for Cytotechnologists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Cytotechnologist Hourly Wage
California $4584
Minnesota $3425
Texas $3416
Florida $3333
Pennsylvania $3096
Ohio $3044
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
342 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology342 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
hospitals with over 500 beds pay $2782 and referencein-
dependent laboratories pay $2688 Staff HTLs have an av-
erage age of 4275 years
Lead-level HTLs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of
$3051 ($640) The average age of lead HTs is 4486 years
Supervisor HTLs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3191 ($630 Figure 7) The average age for supervisors is
4818 years Manager HTLs earn a mean (SD) hourly wage
of $4019 ($1346 Figure 7) The average annual wages of
HTLs by job level are listed in Table 2 Survey results indi-
cate that the average age for managers is 4977 years
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities for
leads supervisors managers and directors was not performed
due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level Regardless
of level academic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds and over
500 beds show the highest hourly pay rate at $2963 and
$2943 respectively HTLs earn an average hourly rate of
$2817 at referenceindependent laboratories $2817 at pri-
vate industries and $2705 at pathologistclinical scientist lab-
oratories The average age for all HTL respondents is 4518
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
By department most HTL respondents are found in an-
atomic pathology and histology They are paid average
hourly wages of $2941 and $2774 respectively The high-
est paying state for all HTL levels is California and the low-
est paying state is Michigan Table 6 Overall HTLs have
an average of 1543 years of total experience in the labora-
tory field and have been working in their current occupa-
tional title for an average of 913 years (Figures 9 and 10)
The overall sample sizes (lt30) for the occupational levels
were too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay rates
by all facilities and states surveyed For the same reason anal-
ysis of the average age by state for HTLs was not performed
Laboratory Assistants
On average LA staff members make a mean (SD)
hourly wage of $1645 ($378 Figure 7) Outpatient clinic
laboratories pay the most for staff LAs at $1750 per hour
Academic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds pay the highest at
$3385
$2855
$2655
$2623
$2579
$2545
$2538
$2537
$2503
$2492
$2482
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Physic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
al PathologistClinic scientist laboratory
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Clinic-based histology laboratory
Hospital 300-499 beds
Hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Average Hourly Wage for All HT Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 11 Average hourly wage of all histotechnician (HT) respondents by facility
Table 5Average Annual Salaries for Histotechnicians by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Histotechnician Hourly Wage
California $3081
Arizona $2679
Georgia $2675
Texas $2643
Pennsylvania $2512
Illinois $2481
Tennessee $2462
Florida $2443
Minnesota $2438
Wisconsin $2418
Michigan $2347
North Carolina $2339
Ohio $2301
New York $2247
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 343DOI 101093ajcpaqw220343Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
$1641 per hour and academic hospitals with 300 to 499
beds pay the lowest at $1575 per hour Results of the wage
difference between the other laboratory facilities for staff
LAs do not allow for statistically significant comparisons
Results indicate they have an average age of 4096 years
LA leads earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $1782 ($381
Figure 7) The average annual wages of LAs by job level are
listed in Table 2 On average leads are 4144 years old
Overall all LA respondents are paid the highest in out-
patient clinic laboratories at $1789 per hour and the least in
academic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds at $1690 and aca-
demic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $1661 The average
age for all LA respondents is 4107 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8)
LA respondents are mostly found in the following de-
partments with the corresponding average hourly pay all
multiple departments $1759 phlebotomy $1668 and
specimen processing $1637 Results show that LAs have
an average of 1126 years of total experience working in the
field and have worked in their current position for an aver-
age of 754 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Results of the wage difference between laboratory fa-
cilities and states for LA leads managers and supervisors
do not allow for statistically significant comparisons For
the same reason analysis of the average age by state for
LAs was not performed
Medical Laboratory TechniciansClinical Laboratory
Technicians
The national mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level
MLTsCLTs is $2089 ($454 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff
are highest in government facilities at $2185 per hour and
lowest at academic hospitals with less than 100 beds at
$1989 per hour Figure 12 The average age of staff MLTs
CLTs is 4012 years By state Indiana has the oldest staff at
4381 years with the youngest in Alabama at 3675 years
Figure 13 The overall sample size (lt30) for this occupa-
tional level was too small for meaningful statistical analysis
of pay rates by all facilities surveyed
Lead MLTsCLTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$2355 ($531 Figure 7) Results indicate they have an aver-
age age of 4339 years The mean (SD) hourly wage for
MLTCLT supervisors is $2533 ($650 Figure 7) The av-
erage age for this group is 4523 years MLTCLT managers
earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3175 ($647 Figure 7)
The average annual wages of MLTsCLT by job level are
listed in Table 2 The age of managers averages 4800 years
Community-based facilities show the highest hourly pay
rate at $2239 and academic hospitals with fewer than 100
beds show the lowest at $2030 for all MLTCLTs Figure 14
$2185
$2119
$2118
$2117
$2115
$2114
$2102
$2084
$2076
$2074
$2035
$1990
$1989
$1850 $1900 $1950 $2000 $2050 $2100 $2150 $2200
Government
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos office laboratory
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Public health laboratory
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff MLTCLT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 12 Average hourly wage of staff medical laboratory techniciansclinical laboratory technicians (MLTsCLTs) by facility
Table 6Average Annual Salaries for Histotechnologists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Histotechnologist Hourly Wage
California $3570
New York $3208
Florida $2833
Pennsylvania $2695
Texas $2615
North Carolina $2610
Illinois $2527
Michigan $2282
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
344 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology344 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
438
1
430
0
428
8
425
1
424
9
424
7
415
5
408
4
404
1
403
5
397
4
395
7
394
9
391
9
391
3
387
8
386
4
384
6
383
5
383
2
378
8
375
6
367
5
32
34
36
38
40
42
44
46A
ve
rag
e A
ge
(y)
States
Figure 13 Average ages for staff medical laboratory techniciansclinical laboratory technicians (MLTsCLSs) by state Sample
size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons
$2239
$2186
$2178
$2155
$2151
$2150
$2133
$2130
$2114
$2112
$2099
$2049
$2030
$1900 $1950 $2000 $2050 $2100 $2150 $2200 $2250
Community-based
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonp t
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for all MLTCLT Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 14 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory technicianclinical laboratory technician (MLTCLT) respondents by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
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by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
The average age for all MLTCLT respondents is 4101 years
younger than the national average (Figure 8)
According to survey results the blood bank department
paid MLTsCLTs the highest at an average of $2328 per hour
and allmultiple departments the lowest at $2064 per hour
Figure 15 Geographically MLTsCLTs regardless of posi-
tion level are paid significantly higher wages in California
and lowest in Alabama Table 7 Overall MLTsCLTs have
an average of 1214 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and have been working in their current title for 887
years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities de-
partment and states for leads supervisors managers and
directors was not performed due to the small sample size
(lt30) of each level For the same reason average age by
state was not analyzed
Medical Laboratory ScientistsMedical Technologists
Clinical Laboratory Scientists
Staff-level MLSsMTsCLSs are paid a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $2790 ($678 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff
are highest at government facilities at $2990 per hour
and lowest at physiciansrsquo office laboratories (POLs) at
$2502 per hour Figure 16 The mean age for staff MLSs
MTsCLSs is 4196 years Geographically MLTsCLTs
are the oldest in New Hampshire and the youngest in South
Dakota Figure 17
$2328 $2308
$2260
$2149 $2133 $2129 $2119
$2064
$1900
$1950
$2000
$2050
$2100
$2150
$2200
$2250
$2300
$2350
Ave
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Departments
Figure 15 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) medical laboratory technicianclinical labora-
tory technician (MLTCLT) respondents by department
Table 7Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Technicians
Clinical Laboratory Technicians by State From Highest to
Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory Technician
Clinical Laboratory Technician Hourly Wage
California $2927
Massachusetts $2526
Washington $2460
New York $2449
Maryland $2428
Arizona $2367
Colorado $2305
Minnesota $2265
Pennsylvania $2239
Nebraska $2193
Virginia $2188
Wisconsin $2156
Indiana $2120
Illinois $2120
Ohio $2101
Georgia $2076
Iowa $2074
Texas $2060
Michigan $2055
Kentucky $2041
Tennessee $2020
Missouri $2014
Kansas $1996
North Carolina $1857
Mississippi $1808
South Carolina $1787
Alabama $1775
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
346 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology346 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
MLSMTCLS leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3154 ($735 Figure 7) Academic hospitals with 300 to
499 beds pay a significantly high hourly rate for lead MLSs
MTsCLSs compared with all facilities surveyed at $3335
The facility providing the lowest pay is the POL at $2771 per
hour Figure 18 They have an average age of 4597 years
MLSMTCLS supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly
rate of $3343 ($900 Figure 7) Results indicate that refer-
enceindependent laboratories pay the highest hourly wage
at $3622 whereas POLs pay $2871 per hour Figure 19
This group has an average age of 4834 years
The mean (SD) hourly wage for MLSMTCLS managers
is $3313 ($952 Figure 7) Pay rates for managers are highest
at referenceindependent laboratories at $4463 per hour fol-
lowed by academic hospitals with over 500 beds at $4242
nonacademic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $4130 nonac-
ademic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds at $4041 POLs at
$3653 and academic hospitals with fewer than 100 beds
at $3125 per hour Results indicate that managers have an
average age of 5017 years
MLSMTCLS directors earn a mean (SD) hourly wage
of $3799 ($1519 Figure 7) The average annual wages of
MLSsMTsCLSs by job level are listed in Table 2
Directors have an average age of 5186 years
MLSMTCLS respondents regardless of level are
paid the lowest in blood centers at $2623 per hour and
highest in government facilities at $3279 per hour
Figure 20 The average age for all MLSMTCLS re-
spondents is 4436 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8)
Survey results indicate that the LIS-QA-PI department
pays the highest at $3516 and the generalists department
pays the lowest at $2791 on average per hour Figure 21
The top 10 highest-paying states for all MLSMTCLS
levels are California Nevada Oregon Massachusetts
Connecticut Washington New York Arizona Minnesota
and Colorado Table 8 According to survey results MLSs
MTsCLSs have an average of 1596 years of total experience
in the laboratory field and have been working in their current
occupational title for 1038 years (Figures 9 and 10)
$2990
$2870
$2861
$2848
$2834
$2821
$2816
$2807
$2790
$2784
$2779
$2776
$2752
$2697
$2656
$2635
$2579
$2502
$22 $23 $24 $25 $26 $27 $28 $29 $30
Government
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Private industry
Reference
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Military VA VHA
Nonp t
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Blood center
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Staff MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 16 Average hourly wage of staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 347DOI 101093ajcpaqw220347Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
The overall sample size (lt30) for all occupational lev-
els was too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay
rates by all facilities and departments surveyed For the
same reason average age by state for leads supervisors and
directors was not analyzed
Molecular Biologists
The mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level MBs is
$2745 ($828 Figure 7) According to survey results staff
MBs have an average age of 3841 years
Lead-level MBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3465
($844 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4341 years
MB supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3866 ($1233
Figure 7) The average annual wages of MBs by job level are
listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervisors have an aver-
age age of 4216 years and managers of 3896 years
Most of the MB respondents are found in the molecular
pathology (pathgen) department and are paid an average
hourly wage of $2963 The average age for all MB respon-
dents is 4004 years which is younger than the national av-
erage (Figure 8) According to survey results MBs have
849 total years of experience working in the laboratory
field and an average of 556 years working in their current
occupational title the least number of years of experience
and working in their current title among all the groups sur-
veyed (Figures 9 and 10)
Results regarding the wage differences between
laboratory facilities and states for MBs do not allow for
480
5
467
9
463
9
455
2
454
7
454
0
452
3
450
6
449
8
447
6
443
6
438
9
436
3
436
1
435
0
434
2
431
0
426
8
425
6
424
3
422
8
422
0
420
8
418
8
418
4
417
2
415
7
411
7
408
8
407
0
402
1
401
3
401
2
397
2
396
2
390
6
387
2
377
1
371
2
369
7
360
0
359
3
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50A
ve
rag
e A
ge
(y)
States
Figure 17 Average ages for staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists (MLSsMTs
CLSs) by state Sample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
348 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology348 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
statistically significant comparisons because respondents
in the survey had a small sample size For the same
reason average ages by state of each level were not
analyzed
Pathologistsrsquo Assistants
The mean (SD) national hourly wage for staff-level
PAs is $4330 ($1291 Figure 7) The mean age for staff
PAs is 3783 years
$3335
$3314
$3301
$3282
$3229
$3205
$3197
$3197
$3130
$3035
$3018
$2937
$2914
$2771
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Military VA VHA
No t
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Average Hourly Wage for Lead MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 18 Average hourly wage of lead medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
$3622
$3563
$3558
$3473
$3456
$3354
$3152
$2871
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35 $40
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Supervisor MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 19 Average hourly wage of supervisor medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 349DOI 101093ajcpaqw220349Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Lead PAs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $4781
($827 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4226 years The
mean (SD) hourly wage for PA supervisors is $5158
($1088 Figure 7) The average annual wages of PAs by
job level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervi-
sors have an average age of 4107 years and managers of
4706 years
PA respondents were mostly found in the anatomic pa-
thology departments which pays them an average salary of
$4312 per hour According to survey results PAs are the
youngest laboratory professionals with an average age of
3947 years which is younger than the national average
(Figure 8) Overall PAs have an average of 1058 total years
of experience in the laboratory field and 794 years in their
current title (Figures 9 and 10)
We did not perform analysis of wage data by facility
and state for PAs because the results would provide statisti-
cally insignificant values due to the small sample size For
the same reason average ages by state of each level were
not analyzed
Performance Improvement or Quality Assurance
The mean (SD) hourly wage for PI or QA staff is
$3837 ($913 Figure 7) The average age of staff PI or QA
is 4902 years Manager-level PI or QA staff are paid a
mean (SD) hourly rate of $4225 ($1042 Figure 7) The av-
erage annual wages of PI or QA staff by job level are listed
in Table 2 The mean age for managers is 4674 years
The department where most PI or QA personnel were
found is the LIS-QA-PI This department pays an average
hourly wage of $3378 Results indicate that leads have an
average age of 4593 years supervisors 4877 years and di-
rectors 5670 years The average age for all PI or QA re-
spondents is 4864 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8) According to survey results PI or QA
staff have an average of 1291 years of total experience in
the laboratory field and 692 years working in their current
occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of overall mean hourly wage for leads supervi-
sors and directors as well as average hourly wages paid by
facilities and states for PI or QA staff was not performed due
$3279
$3064
$3002
$2998
$2981
$2929
$2922
$2918
$2908
$2906
$2904
$2878
$2855
$2804
$2801
$2785
$2783
$2775
$2769
$2640
$2623
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Government
Military VA VHA
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Reference
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonp t
Community-based
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Public health laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Private industry
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Blood center
Average Hourly Wage for All MLSMTCLS Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 20 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
350 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology350 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
to the small sample size (lt30) of each level For the same rea-
son average ages by state of each level were not analyzed
Phlebotomists
Staff PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1497
($342 Figure 7) Results indicate that academic hospitals
with over 500 beds pay the highest hourly wage at $1584
and that hospitals with fewer than 100 beds pay the lowest
hourly wage at $1375 Figure 22 The overall sample size
(lt30) for this occupational level was too small for meaning-
ful statistical analysis of pay rates by all institutions sur-
veyed The data indicate that the average age for staff PBTs
is 4179 years
Lead PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1696
($344 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4322 years PBT man-
agers earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $2108 ($701 Figure
7) The average annual wages of PBTs by job level are listed
in Table 2 This group has an average age of 4428 years
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities for
leads supervisors managers and directors was not per-
formed due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level
But overall academic hospitals with over 500 beds pay the
highest hourly wage at $1635 and academic hospitals with
less than 100 beds at $1413 for PBTs Figure 23
Geographically PBTs regardless of position level are paid
a significantly higher wage in Washington State and lowest
in Michigan Table 9
Most PBT respondents are found in the phlebotomy and
allmultiple departments They are paid an average hourly
wage of $1546 and $1527 respectively The average age
for all PBT respondents is 4212 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8) Overall PBTs have an
average of 1160 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and 824 years working in their current title (Figures 9
and 10)
Analysis of the average age for PBT managers and directors
was not performed due to the small sample size For the same
reason analysis of average age by state was not performed
Specialists in Blood Banking
Staff-level SBBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $2851
($946 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4558 years
SBB leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3105
($610 Figure 7) Data indicate that the average age for lead
SBBs is 4242 years SBB supervisors earn a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $3443 ($637 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4924
years The mean (SD) hourly wage for SBB managers is $4505
($996 Figure 7) The average annual wages of SBBs by job
level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that the average age
for managers is 4979 years while directors are at 5171 years
Most SBB respondents are found in the blood bank de-
partment which pays them an average hourly wage of
$3137 The average age for all SBB respondents is 4767
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
$3516
$3211 $3106 $3099 $3031 $3002 $3001 $2981 $2908 $2845 $2834 $2791
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40A
ve
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Figure 21 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by department
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 351DOI 101093ajcpaqw220351Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Results show that SBBs have an average of 1700 years of
total experience working in the field and have been working
in their current title for 872 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility and state as well as
average age by state for SBBs was not performed because
the results would provide statistically insignificant values
For the same reason average ages by state of each level
were not analyzed
Administration
The mean (SD) hourly wage for administration man-
agers is $4315 ($1101 Figure 7) The average age of man-
agers is 5157 years Administration directors earn a mean
(SD) hourly wage of $5910 ($2122 Figure 7) The average
annual wages of administrative personnel by job level are
listed in Table 2 Data indicate that the average age for di-
rectors is 5504 years
Administrative personnel are the oldest group of labora-
tory professionals with an overall average age of 5362
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
Overall administrative personnel have an average of 1606
total years of experience in the laboratory field and 952
years in their current occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was not performed
Laboratory Information Systems
Staff-level LIS personnel are paid a mean (SD) hourly
wage of $3361 ($704 Figure 7) The mean age for LIS
staff is 4820 years
Leads have an average age of 5167 years supervisors
5263 years and managers 5067 years The average age for
all LIS respondents is 4973 years which is older than the
national average (Figure 8) According to survey results
LIS personnel have an average of 1470 years of total expe-
rience in the laboratory field and have been working in their
current title for 859 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was performed
Summary
Compared with the 2013 ASCP wage survey salaries are
up for all staff-level laboratory professionals except PBTs and
PAs who have a ndash40 and ndash650 change in annual hourly
wage respectively Table 10 The annual hourly wages for
leads were also up in 2015 except for CTs (ndash130) and
SBBs (ndash331) Table 11 Supervisorsrsquo annual hourly wages
however are down except for MLTsCLTs PAs and MLSs
MTsCLSs at 1210 583 and 187 respectively
Table 12 Manager- and director-level comparisons were not
conducted due to small sample size LAs and PBTs regardless
of level continue to have lower salaries while PAs and
administration personnel have higher salaries than the rest of
the laboratory professions surveyed
Table 8Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Scientists
Medical TechnologistsClinical Laboratory Scientists by State
From Highest to Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory ScientistMedical
TechnologistClinical Laboratory Scientist Hourly Wage
California $4620
Nevada $3494
Oregon $3324
Massachusetts $3262
Connecticut $3253
Washington $3190
New York $3087
Arizona $3082
Minnesota $3060
Colorado $3054
New Jersey $3020
New Hampshire $2999
Maryland $2933
Georgia $2881
Idaho $2814
Montana $2795
Kansas $2753
New Mexico $2737
Missouri $2735
South Carolina $2729
Pennsylvania $2728
Wisconsin $2725
Florida $2710
Kentucky $2697
Virginia $2697
Indiana $2694
Ohio $2687
Illinois $2683
Texas $2682
Nebraska $2679
Michigan $2615
Maine $2605
Tennessee $2597
Oklahoma $2589
Louisiana $2585
Iowa $2579
West Virginia $2568
North Carolina $2499
Utah $2487
Mississippi $2461
North Dakota $2458
Alabama $2457
Arkansas $2444
South Dakota $2441
Puerto Rico $1526
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
352 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology352 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Although salaries appear to have increased over time
for the overall profession there is not a considerable differ-
ence between the average hourly wages of laboratory pro-
fessionals working as they accumulate more years of
experience in the field Table 13 For example the average
hourly wage for HTs for the first 5 years is $2277 It was
found that HTs received a pay raise after 6 to 10 years of
work experience earning an average of $2525 per hour
However it appears that there is a wage cap around $2800
per hour for HTs with more than 16 years of experience
$1635
$1607
$1575
$1565
$1506
$1498
$1488
$1483
$1413
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600 $1650
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Overall Hourly Wage for PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 23 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) phlebotomist (PBT) respondents by facility
$1584
$1557
$1548
$1476
$1468
$1466
$1465
$1450
$1426
$1375
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonp t
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 22 Average hourly wage of staff phlebotomists (PBTs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 353DOI 101093ajcpaqw220353Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
For MLTsCLTs the average hourly wage is $1889 for the
first 5 years of experience While MLTsCLTs tended to re-
ceive an increased hourly wage for every 5 years of work
experience those working for 36 to 40 years only earn
$718 per hour more than those with 0 to 5 years of experi-
ence On average PBTs earn $1361 per hour for 0 to 5
years of experience with an average of approximately
$100 for every 5 years of experience The survey has also
revealed a potential wage cap around $1800 per hour for
PBTs with more than 20 years of experience
This year we also looked at the average wage of labo-
ratory professionals based on age and found that salaries
continue to increase considerably for every age range except
LAs and PBTs Table 14 MLSsMTsCLSs aged 55 years
and older experience a wage cap at $3282
In addition to analyzing wages this survey also asked
questions to gain an in-depth perspective on the laboratory
workforce The US Department of Laborrsquos Bureau of Labor
Statistics reported that the job outlook for medical and
clinical laboratory technologists and technicians between
2014 and 2024 is expected to grow 16 which is faster
than the average rate1 Figure 8 suggests strategic focus on
recruitment and supports the results of the ASCP 2014
Vacancy Survey (httpajcpascpjournalsorgcontent
1443432fullpdf) on filling the upcoming vacancies
Results show that laboratory professionals are aging and
therefore the field needs to fill the vacancies with
qualified laboratory professionals There is also a need for
recruiting younger laboratory professionals because ac-
cording to the survey results the youngest group are the
PAs with an average age of 3947 years Recruitment
Table 9Average Annual Salaries for Phlebotomists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Phlebotomist Hourly Wage
Washington $1839
Massachusetts $1819
Minnesota $1807
Oregon $1778
Maryland $1720
New York $1639
Virginia $1628
Wisconsin $1610
Montana $1607
Pennsylvania $1586
Illinois $1570
Colorado $1523
Texas $1505
North Carolina $1449
South Carolina $1444
Florida $1428
Indiana $1406
Ohio $1404
Georgia $1377
Missouri $1361
Tennessee $1332
Michigan $1325
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Table 10Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Staff
Between 2013 and 2015a
Staff 2015 2013 Change
CG $3110 $2863 86
CT $3239 $3145 30
MLSMTCLS $2790 $2713 28
LA $1645 $1603 26
MLTCLT $2089 $2049 20
HT $2441 $2396 19
MB $2745 $2696 18
SBB $2851 $2807 15
HTL $2682 $2663 07
PBT $1497 $1560 40
PA $4330 $4632 65
PI or QA $3837 NA NA
LIS $3361 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 11Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Leads
Between 2013 and 2015a
Lead 2015 2013 Change
CG $3551 $3222 1022
HTL $3051 $2876 607
MLTCLT $2355 $2238 522
HT $2801 $2681 448
MLSMTCLS $3154 $3081 236
PBT $1696 $1671 149
CT $3474 $3520 130
SBB $3105 $3211 331
LA $1782 NA NA
MB $3465 NA NA
PA $4781 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 12Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for
Supervisors Between 2013 and 2015a
Supervisor 2015 2013 Change
MLTCLT $2533 $2260 1210
PA $5158 $4874 583
MLSMTCLS $3343 $3282 187
SBB $3443 $3444 ndash004
CT $3695 $3709 ndash038
HTL $3191 $3241 ndash155
HT $3073 $3129 ndash180
CG $3863 $3995 ndash332
MB $3866 NA NA
PBT $2108 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
354 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology354 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
should focus on the following occupational titles CT
HTL MLSMTCLS PI or QA SBB administration and
LIS as their average ages are higher compared with the
national average (Figure 8)
In addition to recruitment retention warrants the same
focus According to Rex Famitangco2 chair of the ASCP
Council of Laboratory Professionals (CLP) ldquoStriving to re-
tain quality staff is a vital part of maintaining a laboratoryrsquos
Table 13Total Years of Experience at Current Occupational Title by Average Hourly Wagea
Time in Current Title y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PA PBT
0-5 $2620 $2833 $2277 $2469 $1516 $1889 $2527 $2621 $4300 $1361
6-10 $3007 $3093 $2525 $2772 $1700 $2089 $2798 $2991 $4489 $1469
11-15 $3304 $3215 $2657 $2952 $1745 $2209 $2979 NA $4693 $1662
16-20 $3593 $3579 $2871 NA NA $2366 $3050 NA NA $1725
21-25 $3718 $3681 $2883 NA NA $2412 $3155 NA NA $1827
26-30 $3835 $3834 $2825 $3279 NA $2512 $3257 NA NA $1810
31-35 NA $3580 NA NA NA $2588 $3308 NA NA NA
36-40 NA $3585 NA NA NA $2607 $3316 NA NA NA
41thorn NA NA NA NA NA $3281 $3281 NA NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PI or QA staff were not included due to its small sample size
Table 14Age by Average Hourly Wagea
Age y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PBT
18-24 NA NA NA NA NA $1760 $2270 NA $1316
25-34 $2823 $2881 $2330 $2446 $1677 $1945 $2545 $2591 $1439
35-44 $3203 $3236 $2575 $2867 $1700 $2085 $2861 $3033 $1508
45-54 $3631 $3449 $2720 $2890 $1704 $2296 $3120 NA $1609
55-64 NA $3703 $2751 $3206 $1794 $2465 $3282 NA $1737
65-74 NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
75thorn NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PAs were not included due to its small sample size
Table 15Percent of Responses per BenefitPerk Offered by Institution
Perks Offered by Institution Total of Responses per Category
Medicalvision benefits 8818
Dental benefits 8469
Pensionretirement benefits 6704
Free or convenient employee parking 6688
Premium pay for overtime holidays and weekends 5947
Paying for continuing education 3957
Paying for tuition 3885
Flexible work hours 2497
Miscellaneous bonuses (eg tied to work company performance etc) 2485
Bonuses not directly tied to work (including holidays and profit-sharing bonuses) 2299
On-call pay 1961
Paying for certifications or qualifications 1720
Monetary bonus (eg sign-on bonus referral bonus miscellaneous bonuses) 1684
Transportation allowances 1174
Paying for professional memberships 1035
Daycare 780
Uniform allowances 700
Laptop or tablet 682
Providing a company phone for you 546
Free or subsidized room and board 086
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 355DOI 101093ajcpaqw220355Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
functionalityrdquo Employee development such as training
continuing education and mentoring can prove beneficial in
retaining staff2 Survey respondents were asked about the
benefits and perks they receive from their institution
and medicaldentalvision pensionretirement overtime
holidayweekends and employee parking were the top
fringe benefits they receive Paying for continuing educa-
tion certifications professional memberships and day care
were among the benefits that are not provided to many labo-
ratory professionals Table 15
Last this survey asked the respondents to provide com-
ments after the completion of the survey We received a total
of 2230 comments and found that 2762 addressed being un-
derpaidunderappreciated 2166 of them addressed the need
for increased wages andraises 1493 provided suggestions
for future surveys 3018 expressed appreciation for the
opportunity this survey provides in giving the laboratory pro-
fessionals a platform to encourage advocacy and 561 were
categorized as ldquoOtherrdquo Institutions are encouraged to take into
consideration laboratory professionalsrsquo compensation and base
their pay on level of education training years of experience
and cost of living as well as making their pay comparable to
other allied health professionals with higher salaries
Corresponding author Edna Garcia MPH 1225 New York Ave
NW Ste 350 Washington DC 20009 ednagarciaascporg
Contributors Carter Ainsworth ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Andrea Bennett MPH
MT (ASCP) ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp Policy
Washington DC Matthew Schulze ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Patricia Tanabe MPA
MLS (ASCP)CM ASCP Board of Certification Chicago IL and
Elizabeth Waibel MPH ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp
Policy Washington DC
Reviewers Mark Bailey MA HTL (ASCP)CM The University
of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Alexandra
Brown MD FASCP ASCP Institute of Science Technology and
Policy Washington DC Lynnette G Chakkaphak MS MT
(ASCP) St Vincentrsquos HealthCare Jacksonville FL Vicki S
Freeman PhD MASCP MLS (ASCP)CM SCCM FACB The
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Jack A Hager
MT (ASCP) SBB Oregon Health and Science University
Portland Rex F Famitangco MS MLS (ASCP)CM QLC MT
(AMT) CLC AHI Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff Carlo Joseph Ledesma MT (ASCP) Rose State
College Midwest City OK and Babatunde Oloyede PhD MLS
(ASCP) Federal Medical Center Durham NC
References
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbookhttpwwwblsgovoohhealthcaremedical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicianshtm Accessed July 182016
2 Famitangco R Investing in employees investing in the futureCrit Values 2016910-12
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
356 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology356 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
6920
1770
695253 192 110 060
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Laboratorygeneral budgetas part of the
hospital ororganization
I dont know Privatelaboratory
Medical group(pathologists)
Other Government University
Dis
trib
uti
on
(
)
Budget Where Salaries Are Paid
Figure 6 Budget where salaries are paid
$311
0
$323
9
$244
1
$268
2
$164
5
$208
9
$279
0
$274
5
$433
0
$383
7
$149
7 $
285
1
$336
1
$355
1
$347
4
$280
1
$305
1
$178
2
$235
5
$315
4
$346
5 $478
1
$169
6 $
310
5
$386
3
$369
5
$307
3
$319
1
$253
3
$334
3
$386
6 $515
8
$210
8 $344
3
$436
3
$421
1
$401
9
$317
5
$331
3
$422
5
$450
5
$431
5
$379
9
$591
0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Ave
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Occupational Title
Staff
Lead
Supervisor
Manager
Director
Figure 7 Average hourly wage for laboratory staff lead supervisormanager and director positions per occupational title
Sample sizes for some occupational levels were less than 30 and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons For defi-
nitions of abbreviations see Table 1
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 339DOI 101093ajcpaqw220339Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Cytotechnologists
Staff-level CTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3239 ($636 Figure 7) Pay rates per hour for staff are
highest in reference and independent laboratories at
$3355 Academic hospitals with more than 500 beds
and nonacademic hospitals pay $3180 and $3162
respectively The facilities providing the lowest hourly pay
for staff-level CTs are nonacademic hospitals with 0 to 99
beds at $3095 The overall sample size (lt30) for this oc-
cupational level was too small for meaningful statistical
analysis of pay rates by all facilities surveyed Therefore
we report data from only certain facilities According to
Table 2Average Annual Wages by Occupational Title and Levela
Occupational Title
Average Annual Wagesb
Staff Lead Supervisor Manager Director
CG $5956084 $7386766 $8034000 c c
CT $6594283 $7226482 $8616969 $9097138 c
HT $5743858 $5826184 $6987010 $8759371 c
HTL $6091316 $6345144 $7837016 $8359339 c
LA $3421184 $3705832 c c c
LIS $6990646 c c c c
MLTCLT $3973288 $4898192 $5730647 $6603707 c
MLSMTCLS $5738277 $6496662 $7659477 $8326301 $9699018
MB $5421433 $7207803 $8042337 c c
PA $9179712 $9946157 $10728774 c c
PI or QA $7980960 c $8829600 c c
PBT $3114238 $3527514 $4384286 c c
SBB $5929040 $6457922 $7486350 $9370968 c
Administration c c c $8976237 $12283348
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1bSome annual wages listed were made equivalent to a full-time salarycSample size constraints prevented further analysis of wage rate
5362
49734864 4767 4759 4660
4518 4436 43984212 4212
4107 4101 4004 3947
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Ave
rag
e A
ge
(y)
Ocupational Title
Figure 8 Average age of all respondents by occupational title For definitions of abbreviations see Table 1
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
340 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology340 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
survey results staff-level CTs have an average age of
4425 years
Lead CTs earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3474
($524 Figure 7) Their average age is 4754 years The
mean (SD) hourly wage for CT supervisors is $3695
($838 Figure 7) They are on average aged 4947 years
CT managers earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $4363
($812 Figure 7) The average annual wages of CTs by job
level are shown in Table 2 The mean age for managers is
5214 years Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facil-
ities for leads supervisors managers and directors was not
performed due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level
Of the facilities that were analyzed academic hospitals
with 300 to 499 beds show the highest hourly pay rate at
$3534 for all CT respondents regardless of level All CTs
earn an average hourly rate of $3408 at referenceindepen-
dent laboratories $3295 at nonacademic hospitals with 300
to 499 beds $3286 at pathologistclinical scientist laborato-
ries and $3280 at academic hospitals with more than 500
beds The average age for all CT respondents is 4660 years
which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
Most CT respondents work in anatomic pathology and
cytology departments The hourly compensation offered by
these departments is on average $3318 and $3364 respec-
tively Regardless of position level California pays CTs the
highest and Ohio the lowest Table 4 Results indicate that
on average CTs have 1812 total years of experience in the
field and have been in their current position for 1210 years
the most number of years of experience and working in
their current title among all the groups surveyed (Figures 9
and 10)
Analysis of pay rates by all 50 states and the average age by
state for CTs was not performed due to the small sample size
Histotechnicians
The national mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level
HTs is $2441 ($492 Figure 7) Pay rates among the
Table 3Average Annual Salaries for Cytogenetic Technologists by
State From Highest to Lowest Payinga
Cytogenetic Technologist Hourly Wage
California $4379
Massachusetts $3633
Arizona $3571
Minnesota $3296
Tennessee $3082
Virginia $2923
Texas $2769
North Carolina $2419
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
1812
1700
1606 15961543
14701424 1395
12911214
11601126
1058
849
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
To
tal Y
ea
rs o
f E
xp
eri
en
ce
Occupational Title
Figure 9 Average years of total experience in the laboratory field by occupational title For definitions of abbreviations see
Table 1
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 341DOI 101093ajcpaqw220341Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
laboratory facilities surveyed are comparable except for
nonacademic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds which provide
staff HTs with the highest hourly wage of $2533 Academic
hospitals with more than 500 beds and referenceindepen-
dent laboratories pay $2533 and $2522 respectively
Academic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds and 100 to 299
beds both pay an average hourly wage of $2414 Clinic-
based histology laboratories pay $2484 an hour and nonaca-
demic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds pay the least at
$2411 The average age of staff HTs is 4211 years
Lead-level HTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of
$2801 ($623) The average age of lead HTs is 4601 years
HT supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3073
($664) and HT managers are paid $4211 ($1355
Figure 7) The average annual wages of HTs by job level are
listed in Table 2 Supervisors and managers are aged 4749
years and 4860 years on average respectively
Overall all HT respondents are paid the highest in
nonacademic hospitals with over 500 beds at $3385 per
hour and least in private industries at $2482 Figure 11
The average age for all HT respondents is 4398 years simi-
lar to the national average (Figure 8)
Anatomic pathology departments pay HTs an average
hourly wage of $2590 while histology departments pay
$2566 Geographically HTs regardless of position level
are paid a significantly higher wage in California and the
lowest in New York Table 5 According to the survey re-
sults HTs have an average of 1424 years of total experi-
ence in the laboratory field and have been in their current
position for 935 years (Figures 9 and 10)
The overall sample sizes (lt30) for occupational levels
were too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay rates
by all facilities and states surveyed Therefore we report data
from only certain facilities For the same reason analysis of
the average age by state for HTs was not performed
Histotechnologists
The mean (SD) hourly wage for staff HTLs is $2682
($623 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff are highest at academic
hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $2807 Academic
1210
1123
1038995
952 935 913887 872 859
824794
754
692
556
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14A
vera
ge Y
ears
Occupational Title
Figure 10 Average years of working in current occupational title For definitions of abbreviations see Table 1
Table 4Average Annual Salaries for Cytotechnologists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Cytotechnologist Hourly Wage
California $4584
Minnesota $3425
Texas $3416
Florida $3333
Pennsylvania $3096
Ohio $3044
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
342 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology342 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
hospitals with over 500 beds pay $2782 and referencein-
dependent laboratories pay $2688 Staff HTLs have an av-
erage age of 4275 years
Lead-level HTLs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of
$3051 ($640) The average age of lead HTs is 4486 years
Supervisor HTLs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3191 ($630 Figure 7) The average age for supervisors is
4818 years Manager HTLs earn a mean (SD) hourly wage
of $4019 ($1346 Figure 7) The average annual wages of
HTLs by job level are listed in Table 2 Survey results indi-
cate that the average age for managers is 4977 years
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities for
leads supervisors managers and directors was not performed
due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level Regardless
of level academic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds and over
500 beds show the highest hourly pay rate at $2963 and
$2943 respectively HTLs earn an average hourly rate of
$2817 at referenceindependent laboratories $2817 at pri-
vate industries and $2705 at pathologistclinical scientist lab-
oratories The average age for all HTL respondents is 4518
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
By department most HTL respondents are found in an-
atomic pathology and histology They are paid average
hourly wages of $2941 and $2774 respectively The high-
est paying state for all HTL levels is California and the low-
est paying state is Michigan Table 6 Overall HTLs have
an average of 1543 years of total experience in the labora-
tory field and have been working in their current occupa-
tional title for an average of 913 years (Figures 9 and 10)
The overall sample sizes (lt30) for the occupational levels
were too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay rates
by all facilities and states surveyed For the same reason anal-
ysis of the average age by state for HTLs was not performed
Laboratory Assistants
On average LA staff members make a mean (SD)
hourly wage of $1645 ($378 Figure 7) Outpatient clinic
laboratories pay the most for staff LAs at $1750 per hour
Academic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds pay the highest at
$3385
$2855
$2655
$2623
$2579
$2545
$2538
$2537
$2503
$2492
$2482
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Physic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
al PathologistClinic scientist laboratory
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Clinic-based histology laboratory
Hospital 300-499 beds
Hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Average Hourly Wage for All HT Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 11 Average hourly wage of all histotechnician (HT) respondents by facility
Table 5Average Annual Salaries for Histotechnicians by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Histotechnician Hourly Wage
California $3081
Arizona $2679
Georgia $2675
Texas $2643
Pennsylvania $2512
Illinois $2481
Tennessee $2462
Florida $2443
Minnesota $2438
Wisconsin $2418
Michigan $2347
North Carolina $2339
Ohio $2301
New York $2247
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 343DOI 101093ajcpaqw220343Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
$1641 per hour and academic hospitals with 300 to 499
beds pay the lowest at $1575 per hour Results of the wage
difference between the other laboratory facilities for staff
LAs do not allow for statistically significant comparisons
Results indicate they have an average age of 4096 years
LA leads earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $1782 ($381
Figure 7) The average annual wages of LAs by job level are
listed in Table 2 On average leads are 4144 years old
Overall all LA respondents are paid the highest in out-
patient clinic laboratories at $1789 per hour and the least in
academic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds at $1690 and aca-
demic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $1661 The average
age for all LA respondents is 4107 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8)
LA respondents are mostly found in the following de-
partments with the corresponding average hourly pay all
multiple departments $1759 phlebotomy $1668 and
specimen processing $1637 Results show that LAs have
an average of 1126 years of total experience working in the
field and have worked in their current position for an aver-
age of 754 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Results of the wage difference between laboratory fa-
cilities and states for LA leads managers and supervisors
do not allow for statistically significant comparisons For
the same reason analysis of the average age by state for
LAs was not performed
Medical Laboratory TechniciansClinical Laboratory
Technicians
The national mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level
MLTsCLTs is $2089 ($454 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff
are highest in government facilities at $2185 per hour and
lowest at academic hospitals with less than 100 beds at
$1989 per hour Figure 12 The average age of staff MLTs
CLTs is 4012 years By state Indiana has the oldest staff at
4381 years with the youngest in Alabama at 3675 years
Figure 13 The overall sample size (lt30) for this occupa-
tional level was too small for meaningful statistical analysis
of pay rates by all facilities surveyed
Lead MLTsCLTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$2355 ($531 Figure 7) Results indicate they have an aver-
age age of 4339 years The mean (SD) hourly wage for
MLTCLT supervisors is $2533 ($650 Figure 7) The av-
erage age for this group is 4523 years MLTCLT managers
earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3175 ($647 Figure 7)
The average annual wages of MLTsCLT by job level are
listed in Table 2 The age of managers averages 4800 years
Community-based facilities show the highest hourly pay
rate at $2239 and academic hospitals with fewer than 100
beds show the lowest at $2030 for all MLTCLTs Figure 14
$2185
$2119
$2118
$2117
$2115
$2114
$2102
$2084
$2076
$2074
$2035
$1990
$1989
$1850 $1900 $1950 $2000 $2050 $2100 $2150 $2200
Government
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos office laboratory
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Public health laboratory
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff MLTCLT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 12 Average hourly wage of staff medical laboratory techniciansclinical laboratory technicians (MLTsCLTs) by facility
Table 6Average Annual Salaries for Histotechnologists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Histotechnologist Hourly Wage
California $3570
New York $3208
Florida $2833
Pennsylvania $2695
Texas $2615
North Carolina $2610
Illinois $2527
Michigan $2282
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
344 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology344 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
438
1
430
0
428
8
425
1
424
9
424
7
415
5
408
4
404
1
403
5
397
4
395
7
394
9
391
9
391
3
387
8
386
4
384
6
383
5
383
2
378
8
375
6
367
5
32
34
36
38
40
42
44
46A
ve
rag
e A
ge
(y)
States
Figure 13 Average ages for staff medical laboratory techniciansclinical laboratory technicians (MLTsCLSs) by state Sample
size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons
$2239
$2186
$2178
$2155
$2151
$2150
$2133
$2130
$2114
$2112
$2099
$2049
$2030
$1900 $1950 $2000 $2050 $2100 $2150 $2200 $2250
Community-based
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonp t
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for all MLTCLT Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 14 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory technicianclinical laboratory technician (MLTCLT) respondents by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
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by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
The average age for all MLTCLT respondents is 4101 years
younger than the national average (Figure 8)
According to survey results the blood bank department
paid MLTsCLTs the highest at an average of $2328 per hour
and allmultiple departments the lowest at $2064 per hour
Figure 15 Geographically MLTsCLTs regardless of posi-
tion level are paid significantly higher wages in California
and lowest in Alabama Table 7 Overall MLTsCLTs have
an average of 1214 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and have been working in their current title for 887
years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities de-
partment and states for leads supervisors managers and
directors was not performed due to the small sample size
(lt30) of each level For the same reason average age by
state was not analyzed
Medical Laboratory ScientistsMedical Technologists
Clinical Laboratory Scientists
Staff-level MLSsMTsCLSs are paid a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $2790 ($678 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff
are highest at government facilities at $2990 per hour
and lowest at physiciansrsquo office laboratories (POLs) at
$2502 per hour Figure 16 The mean age for staff MLSs
MTsCLSs is 4196 years Geographically MLTsCLTs
are the oldest in New Hampshire and the youngest in South
Dakota Figure 17
$2328 $2308
$2260
$2149 $2133 $2129 $2119
$2064
$1900
$1950
$2000
$2050
$2100
$2150
$2200
$2250
$2300
$2350
Ave
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Departments
Figure 15 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) medical laboratory technicianclinical labora-
tory technician (MLTCLT) respondents by department
Table 7Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Technicians
Clinical Laboratory Technicians by State From Highest to
Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory Technician
Clinical Laboratory Technician Hourly Wage
California $2927
Massachusetts $2526
Washington $2460
New York $2449
Maryland $2428
Arizona $2367
Colorado $2305
Minnesota $2265
Pennsylvania $2239
Nebraska $2193
Virginia $2188
Wisconsin $2156
Indiana $2120
Illinois $2120
Ohio $2101
Georgia $2076
Iowa $2074
Texas $2060
Michigan $2055
Kentucky $2041
Tennessee $2020
Missouri $2014
Kansas $1996
North Carolina $1857
Mississippi $1808
South Carolina $1787
Alabama $1775
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
346 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology346 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
MLSMTCLS leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3154 ($735 Figure 7) Academic hospitals with 300 to
499 beds pay a significantly high hourly rate for lead MLSs
MTsCLSs compared with all facilities surveyed at $3335
The facility providing the lowest pay is the POL at $2771 per
hour Figure 18 They have an average age of 4597 years
MLSMTCLS supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly
rate of $3343 ($900 Figure 7) Results indicate that refer-
enceindependent laboratories pay the highest hourly wage
at $3622 whereas POLs pay $2871 per hour Figure 19
This group has an average age of 4834 years
The mean (SD) hourly wage for MLSMTCLS managers
is $3313 ($952 Figure 7) Pay rates for managers are highest
at referenceindependent laboratories at $4463 per hour fol-
lowed by academic hospitals with over 500 beds at $4242
nonacademic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $4130 nonac-
ademic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds at $4041 POLs at
$3653 and academic hospitals with fewer than 100 beds
at $3125 per hour Results indicate that managers have an
average age of 5017 years
MLSMTCLS directors earn a mean (SD) hourly wage
of $3799 ($1519 Figure 7) The average annual wages of
MLSsMTsCLSs by job level are listed in Table 2
Directors have an average age of 5186 years
MLSMTCLS respondents regardless of level are
paid the lowest in blood centers at $2623 per hour and
highest in government facilities at $3279 per hour
Figure 20 The average age for all MLSMTCLS re-
spondents is 4436 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8)
Survey results indicate that the LIS-QA-PI department
pays the highest at $3516 and the generalists department
pays the lowest at $2791 on average per hour Figure 21
The top 10 highest-paying states for all MLSMTCLS
levels are California Nevada Oregon Massachusetts
Connecticut Washington New York Arizona Minnesota
and Colorado Table 8 According to survey results MLSs
MTsCLSs have an average of 1596 years of total experience
in the laboratory field and have been working in their current
occupational title for 1038 years (Figures 9 and 10)
$2990
$2870
$2861
$2848
$2834
$2821
$2816
$2807
$2790
$2784
$2779
$2776
$2752
$2697
$2656
$2635
$2579
$2502
$22 $23 $24 $25 $26 $27 $28 $29 $30
Government
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Private industry
Reference
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Military VA VHA
Nonp t
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Blood center
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Staff MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 16 Average hourly wage of staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 347DOI 101093ajcpaqw220347Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
The overall sample size (lt30) for all occupational lev-
els was too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay
rates by all facilities and departments surveyed For the
same reason average age by state for leads supervisors and
directors was not analyzed
Molecular Biologists
The mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level MBs is
$2745 ($828 Figure 7) According to survey results staff
MBs have an average age of 3841 years
Lead-level MBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3465
($844 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4341 years
MB supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3866 ($1233
Figure 7) The average annual wages of MBs by job level are
listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervisors have an aver-
age age of 4216 years and managers of 3896 years
Most of the MB respondents are found in the molecular
pathology (pathgen) department and are paid an average
hourly wage of $2963 The average age for all MB respon-
dents is 4004 years which is younger than the national av-
erage (Figure 8) According to survey results MBs have
849 total years of experience working in the laboratory
field and an average of 556 years working in their current
occupational title the least number of years of experience
and working in their current title among all the groups sur-
veyed (Figures 9 and 10)
Results regarding the wage differences between
laboratory facilities and states for MBs do not allow for
480
5
467
9
463
9
455
2
454
7
454
0
452
3
450
6
449
8
447
6
443
6
438
9
436
3
436
1
435
0
434
2
431
0
426
8
425
6
424
3
422
8
422
0
420
8
418
8
418
4
417
2
415
7
411
7
408
8
407
0
402
1
401
3
401
2
397
2
396
2
390
6
387
2
377
1
371
2
369
7
360
0
359
3
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50A
ve
rag
e A
ge
(y)
States
Figure 17 Average ages for staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists (MLSsMTs
CLSs) by state Sample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
348 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology348 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
statistically significant comparisons because respondents
in the survey had a small sample size For the same
reason average ages by state of each level were not
analyzed
Pathologistsrsquo Assistants
The mean (SD) national hourly wage for staff-level
PAs is $4330 ($1291 Figure 7) The mean age for staff
PAs is 3783 years
$3335
$3314
$3301
$3282
$3229
$3205
$3197
$3197
$3130
$3035
$3018
$2937
$2914
$2771
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Military VA VHA
No t
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Average Hourly Wage for Lead MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 18 Average hourly wage of lead medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
$3622
$3563
$3558
$3473
$3456
$3354
$3152
$2871
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35 $40
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Supervisor MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 19 Average hourly wage of supervisor medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
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by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Lead PAs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $4781
($827 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4226 years The
mean (SD) hourly wage for PA supervisors is $5158
($1088 Figure 7) The average annual wages of PAs by
job level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervi-
sors have an average age of 4107 years and managers of
4706 years
PA respondents were mostly found in the anatomic pa-
thology departments which pays them an average salary of
$4312 per hour According to survey results PAs are the
youngest laboratory professionals with an average age of
3947 years which is younger than the national average
(Figure 8) Overall PAs have an average of 1058 total years
of experience in the laboratory field and 794 years in their
current title (Figures 9 and 10)
We did not perform analysis of wage data by facility
and state for PAs because the results would provide statisti-
cally insignificant values due to the small sample size For
the same reason average ages by state of each level were
not analyzed
Performance Improvement or Quality Assurance
The mean (SD) hourly wage for PI or QA staff is
$3837 ($913 Figure 7) The average age of staff PI or QA
is 4902 years Manager-level PI or QA staff are paid a
mean (SD) hourly rate of $4225 ($1042 Figure 7) The av-
erage annual wages of PI or QA staff by job level are listed
in Table 2 The mean age for managers is 4674 years
The department where most PI or QA personnel were
found is the LIS-QA-PI This department pays an average
hourly wage of $3378 Results indicate that leads have an
average age of 4593 years supervisors 4877 years and di-
rectors 5670 years The average age for all PI or QA re-
spondents is 4864 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8) According to survey results PI or QA
staff have an average of 1291 years of total experience in
the laboratory field and 692 years working in their current
occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of overall mean hourly wage for leads supervi-
sors and directors as well as average hourly wages paid by
facilities and states for PI or QA staff was not performed due
$3279
$3064
$3002
$2998
$2981
$2929
$2922
$2918
$2908
$2906
$2904
$2878
$2855
$2804
$2801
$2785
$2783
$2775
$2769
$2640
$2623
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Government
Military VA VHA
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Reference
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonp t
Community-based
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Public health laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Private industry
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Blood center
Average Hourly Wage for All MLSMTCLS Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 20 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
350 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology350 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
to the small sample size (lt30) of each level For the same rea-
son average ages by state of each level were not analyzed
Phlebotomists
Staff PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1497
($342 Figure 7) Results indicate that academic hospitals
with over 500 beds pay the highest hourly wage at $1584
and that hospitals with fewer than 100 beds pay the lowest
hourly wage at $1375 Figure 22 The overall sample size
(lt30) for this occupational level was too small for meaning-
ful statistical analysis of pay rates by all institutions sur-
veyed The data indicate that the average age for staff PBTs
is 4179 years
Lead PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1696
($344 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4322 years PBT man-
agers earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $2108 ($701 Figure
7) The average annual wages of PBTs by job level are listed
in Table 2 This group has an average age of 4428 years
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities for
leads supervisors managers and directors was not per-
formed due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level
But overall academic hospitals with over 500 beds pay the
highest hourly wage at $1635 and academic hospitals with
less than 100 beds at $1413 for PBTs Figure 23
Geographically PBTs regardless of position level are paid
a significantly higher wage in Washington State and lowest
in Michigan Table 9
Most PBT respondents are found in the phlebotomy and
allmultiple departments They are paid an average hourly
wage of $1546 and $1527 respectively The average age
for all PBT respondents is 4212 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8) Overall PBTs have an
average of 1160 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and 824 years working in their current title (Figures 9
and 10)
Analysis of the average age for PBT managers and directors
was not performed due to the small sample size For the same
reason analysis of average age by state was not performed
Specialists in Blood Banking
Staff-level SBBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $2851
($946 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4558 years
SBB leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3105
($610 Figure 7) Data indicate that the average age for lead
SBBs is 4242 years SBB supervisors earn a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $3443 ($637 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4924
years The mean (SD) hourly wage for SBB managers is $4505
($996 Figure 7) The average annual wages of SBBs by job
level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that the average age
for managers is 4979 years while directors are at 5171 years
Most SBB respondents are found in the blood bank de-
partment which pays them an average hourly wage of
$3137 The average age for all SBB respondents is 4767
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
$3516
$3211 $3106 $3099 $3031 $3002 $3001 $2981 $2908 $2845 $2834 $2791
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40A
ve
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Figure 21 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by department
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 351DOI 101093ajcpaqw220351Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Results show that SBBs have an average of 1700 years of
total experience working in the field and have been working
in their current title for 872 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility and state as well as
average age by state for SBBs was not performed because
the results would provide statistically insignificant values
For the same reason average ages by state of each level
were not analyzed
Administration
The mean (SD) hourly wage for administration man-
agers is $4315 ($1101 Figure 7) The average age of man-
agers is 5157 years Administration directors earn a mean
(SD) hourly wage of $5910 ($2122 Figure 7) The average
annual wages of administrative personnel by job level are
listed in Table 2 Data indicate that the average age for di-
rectors is 5504 years
Administrative personnel are the oldest group of labora-
tory professionals with an overall average age of 5362
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
Overall administrative personnel have an average of 1606
total years of experience in the laboratory field and 952
years in their current occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was not performed
Laboratory Information Systems
Staff-level LIS personnel are paid a mean (SD) hourly
wage of $3361 ($704 Figure 7) The mean age for LIS
staff is 4820 years
Leads have an average age of 5167 years supervisors
5263 years and managers 5067 years The average age for
all LIS respondents is 4973 years which is older than the
national average (Figure 8) According to survey results
LIS personnel have an average of 1470 years of total expe-
rience in the laboratory field and have been working in their
current title for 859 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was performed
Summary
Compared with the 2013 ASCP wage survey salaries are
up for all staff-level laboratory professionals except PBTs and
PAs who have a ndash40 and ndash650 change in annual hourly
wage respectively Table 10 The annual hourly wages for
leads were also up in 2015 except for CTs (ndash130) and
SBBs (ndash331) Table 11 Supervisorsrsquo annual hourly wages
however are down except for MLTsCLTs PAs and MLSs
MTsCLSs at 1210 583 and 187 respectively
Table 12 Manager- and director-level comparisons were not
conducted due to small sample size LAs and PBTs regardless
of level continue to have lower salaries while PAs and
administration personnel have higher salaries than the rest of
the laboratory professions surveyed
Table 8Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Scientists
Medical TechnologistsClinical Laboratory Scientists by State
From Highest to Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory ScientistMedical
TechnologistClinical Laboratory Scientist Hourly Wage
California $4620
Nevada $3494
Oregon $3324
Massachusetts $3262
Connecticut $3253
Washington $3190
New York $3087
Arizona $3082
Minnesota $3060
Colorado $3054
New Jersey $3020
New Hampshire $2999
Maryland $2933
Georgia $2881
Idaho $2814
Montana $2795
Kansas $2753
New Mexico $2737
Missouri $2735
South Carolina $2729
Pennsylvania $2728
Wisconsin $2725
Florida $2710
Kentucky $2697
Virginia $2697
Indiana $2694
Ohio $2687
Illinois $2683
Texas $2682
Nebraska $2679
Michigan $2615
Maine $2605
Tennessee $2597
Oklahoma $2589
Louisiana $2585
Iowa $2579
West Virginia $2568
North Carolina $2499
Utah $2487
Mississippi $2461
North Dakota $2458
Alabama $2457
Arkansas $2444
South Dakota $2441
Puerto Rico $1526
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
352 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology352 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Although salaries appear to have increased over time
for the overall profession there is not a considerable differ-
ence between the average hourly wages of laboratory pro-
fessionals working as they accumulate more years of
experience in the field Table 13 For example the average
hourly wage for HTs for the first 5 years is $2277 It was
found that HTs received a pay raise after 6 to 10 years of
work experience earning an average of $2525 per hour
However it appears that there is a wage cap around $2800
per hour for HTs with more than 16 years of experience
$1635
$1607
$1575
$1565
$1506
$1498
$1488
$1483
$1413
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600 $1650
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Overall Hourly Wage for PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 23 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) phlebotomist (PBT) respondents by facility
$1584
$1557
$1548
$1476
$1468
$1466
$1465
$1450
$1426
$1375
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonp t
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 22 Average hourly wage of staff phlebotomists (PBTs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 353DOI 101093ajcpaqw220353Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
For MLTsCLTs the average hourly wage is $1889 for the
first 5 years of experience While MLTsCLTs tended to re-
ceive an increased hourly wage for every 5 years of work
experience those working for 36 to 40 years only earn
$718 per hour more than those with 0 to 5 years of experi-
ence On average PBTs earn $1361 per hour for 0 to 5
years of experience with an average of approximately
$100 for every 5 years of experience The survey has also
revealed a potential wage cap around $1800 per hour for
PBTs with more than 20 years of experience
This year we also looked at the average wage of labo-
ratory professionals based on age and found that salaries
continue to increase considerably for every age range except
LAs and PBTs Table 14 MLSsMTsCLSs aged 55 years
and older experience a wage cap at $3282
In addition to analyzing wages this survey also asked
questions to gain an in-depth perspective on the laboratory
workforce The US Department of Laborrsquos Bureau of Labor
Statistics reported that the job outlook for medical and
clinical laboratory technologists and technicians between
2014 and 2024 is expected to grow 16 which is faster
than the average rate1 Figure 8 suggests strategic focus on
recruitment and supports the results of the ASCP 2014
Vacancy Survey (httpajcpascpjournalsorgcontent
1443432fullpdf) on filling the upcoming vacancies
Results show that laboratory professionals are aging and
therefore the field needs to fill the vacancies with
qualified laboratory professionals There is also a need for
recruiting younger laboratory professionals because ac-
cording to the survey results the youngest group are the
PAs with an average age of 3947 years Recruitment
Table 9Average Annual Salaries for Phlebotomists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Phlebotomist Hourly Wage
Washington $1839
Massachusetts $1819
Minnesota $1807
Oregon $1778
Maryland $1720
New York $1639
Virginia $1628
Wisconsin $1610
Montana $1607
Pennsylvania $1586
Illinois $1570
Colorado $1523
Texas $1505
North Carolina $1449
South Carolina $1444
Florida $1428
Indiana $1406
Ohio $1404
Georgia $1377
Missouri $1361
Tennessee $1332
Michigan $1325
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Table 10Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Staff
Between 2013 and 2015a
Staff 2015 2013 Change
CG $3110 $2863 86
CT $3239 $3145 30
MLSMTCLS $2790 $2713 28
LA $1645 $1603 26
MLTCLT $2089 $2049 20
HT $2441 $2396 19
MB $2745 $2696 18
SBB $2851 $2807 15
HTL $2682 $2663 07
PBT $1497 $1560 40
PA $4330 $4632 65
PI or QA $3837 NA NA
LIS $3361 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 11Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Leads
Between 2013 and 2015a
Lead 2015 2013 Change
CG $3551 $3222 1022
HTL $3051 $2876 607
MLTCLT $2355 $2238 522
HT $2801 $2681 448
MLSMTCLS $3154 $3081 236
PBT $1696 $1671 149
CT $3474 $3520 130
SBB $3105 $3211 331
LA $1782 NA NA
MB $3465 NA NA
PA $4781 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 12Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for
Supervisors Between 2013 and 2015a
Supervisor 2015 2013 Change
MLTCLT $2533 $2260 1210
PA $5158 $4874 583
MLSMTCLS $3343 $3282 187
SBB $3443 $3444 ndash004
CT $3695 $3709 ndash038
HTL $3191 $3241 ndash155
HT $3073 $3129 ndash180
CG $3863 $3995 ndash332
MB $3866 NA NA
PBT $2108 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
354 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology354 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
should focus on the following occupational titles CT
HTL MLSMTCLS PI or QA SBB administration and
LIS as their average ages are higher compared with the
national average (Figure 8)
In addition to recruitment retention warrants the same
focus According to Rex Famitangco2 chair of the ASCP
Council of Laboratory Professionals (CLP) ldquoStriving to re-
tain quality staff is a vital part of maintaining a laboratoryrsquos
Table 13Total Years of Experience at Current Occupational Title by Average Hourly Wagea
Time in Current Title y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PA PBT
0-5 $2620 $2833 $2277 $2469 $1516 $1889 $2527 $2621 $4300 $1361
6-10 $3007 $3093 $2525 $2772 $1700 $2089 $2798 $2991 $4489 $1469
11-15 $3304 $3215 $2657 $2952 $1745 $2209 $2979 NA $4693 $1662
16-20 $3593 $3579 $2871 NA NA $2366 $3050 NA NA $1725
21-25 $3718 $3681 $2883 NA NA $2412 $3155 NA NA $1827
26-30 $3835 $3834 $2825 $3279 NA $2512 $3257 NA NA $1810
31-35 NA $3580 NA NA NA $2588 $3308 NA NA NA
36-40 NA $3585 NA NA NA $2607 $3316 NA NA NA
41thorn NA NA NA NA NA $3281 $3281 NA NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PI or QA staff were not included due to its small sample size
Table 14Age by Average Hourly Wagea
Age y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PBT
18-24 NA NA NA NA NA $1760 $2270 NA $1316
25-34 $2823 $2881 $2330 $2446 $1677 $1945 $2545 $2591 $1439
35-44 $3203 $3236 $2575 $2867 $1700 $2085 $2861 $3033 $1508
45-54 $3631 $3449 $2720 $2890 $1704 $2296 $3120 NA $1609
55-64 NA $3703 $2751 $3206 $1794 $2465 $3282 NA $1737
65-74 NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
75thorn NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PAs were not included due to its small sample size
Table 15Percent of Responses per BenefitPerk Offered by Institution
Perks Offered by Institution Total of Responses per Category
Medicalvision benefits 8818
Dental benefits 8469
Pensionretirement benefits 6704
Free or convenient employee parking 6688
Premium pay for overtime holidays and weekends 5947
Paying for continuing education 3957
Paying for tuition 3885
Flexible work hours 2497
Miscellaneous bonuses (eg tied to work company performance etc) 2485
Bonuses not directly tied to work (including holidays and profit-sharing bonuses) 2299
On-call pay 1961
Paying for certifications or qualifications 1720
Monetary bonus (eg sign-on bonus referral bonus miscellaneous bonuses) 1684
Transportation allowances 1174
Paying for professional memberships 1035
Daycare 780
Uniform allowances 700
Laptop or tablet 682
Providing a company phone for you 546
Free or subsidized room and board 086
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 355DOI 101093ajcpaqw220355Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
functionalityrdquo Employee development such as training
continuing education and mentoring can prove beneficial in
retaining staff2 Survey respondents were asked about the
benefits and perks they receive from their institution
and medicaldentalvision pensionretirement overtime
holidayweekends and employee parking were the top
fringe benefits they receive Paying for continuing educa-
tion certifications professional memberships and day care
were among the benefits that are not provided to many labo-
ratory professionals Table 15
Last this survey asked the respondents to provide com-
ments after the completion of the survey We received a total
of 2230 comments and found that 2762 addressed being un-
derpaidunderappreciated 2166 of them addressed the need
for increased wages andraises 1493 provided suggestions
for future surveys 3018 expressed appreciation for the
opportunity this survey provides in giving the laboratory pro-
fessionals a platform to encourage advocacy and 561 were
categorized as ldquoOtherrdquo Institutions are encouraged to take into
consideration laboratory professionalsrsquo compensation and base
their pay on level of education training years of experience
and cost of living as well as making their pay comparable to
other allied health professionals with higher salaries
Corresponding author Edna Garcia MPH 1225 New York Ave
NW Ste 350 Washington DC 20009 ednagarciaascporg
Contributors Carter Ainsworth ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Andrea Bennett MPH
MT (ASCP) ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp Policy
Washington DC Matthew Schulze ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Patricia Tanabe MPA
MLS (ASCP)CM ASCP Board of Certification Chicago IL and
Elizabeth Waibel MPH ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp
Policy Washington DC
Reviewers Mark Bailey MA HTL (ASCP)CM The University
of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Alexandra
Brown MD FASCP ASCP Institute of Science Technology and
Policy Washington DC Lynnette G Chakkaphak MS MT
(ASCP) St Vincentrsquos HealthCare Jacksonville FL Vicki S
Freeman PhD MASCP MLS (ASCP)CM SCCM FACB The
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Jack A Hager
MT (ASCP) SBB Oregon Health and Science University
Portland Rex F Famitangco MS MLS (ASCP)CM QLC MT
(AMT) CLC AHI Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff Carlo Joseph Ledesma MT (ASCP) Rose State
College Midwest City OK and Babatunde Oloyede PhD MLS
(ASCP) Federal Medical Center Durham NC
References
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbookhttpwwwblsgovoohhealthcaremedical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicianshtm Accessed July 182016
2 Famitangco R Investing in employees investing in the futureCrit Values 2016910-12
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
356 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology356 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Cytotechnologists
Staff-level CTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3239 ($636 Figure 7) Pay rates per hour for staff are
highest in reference and independent laboratories at
$3355 Academic hospitals with more than 500 beds
and nonacademic hospitals pay $3180 and $3162
respectively The facilities providing the lowest hourly pay
for staff-level CTs are nonacademic hospitals with 0 to 99
beds at $3095 The overall sample size (lt30) for this oc-
cupational level was too small for meaningful statistical
analysis of pay rates by all facilities surveyed Therefore
we report data from only certain facilities According to
Table 2Average Annual Wages by Occupational Title and Levela
Occupational Title
Average Annual Wagesb
Staff Lead Supervisor Manager Director
CG $5956084 $7386766 $8034000 c c
CT $6594283 $7226482 $8616969 $9097138 c
HT $5743858 $5826184 $6987010 $8759371 c
HTL $6091316 $6345144 $7837016 $8359339 c
LA $3421184 $3705832 c c c
LIS $6990646 c c c c
MLTCLT $3973288 $4898192 $5730647 $6603707 c
MLSMTCLS $5738277 $6496662 $7659477 $8326301 $9699018
MB $5421433 $7207803 $8042337 c c
PA $9179712 $9946157 $10728774 c c
PI or QA $7980960 c $8829600 c c
PBT $3114238 $3527514 $4384286 c c
SBB $5929040 $6457922 $7486350 $9370968 c
Administration c c c $8976237 $12283348
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1bSome annual wages listed were made equivalent to a full-time salarycSample size constraints prevented further analysis of wage rate
5362
49734864 4767 4759 4660
4518 4436 43984212 4212
4107 4101 4004 3947
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Ave
rag
e A
ge
(y)
Ocupational Title
Figure 8 Average age of all respondents by occupational title For definitions of abbreviations see Table 1
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
340 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology340 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
survey results staff-level CTs have an average age of
4425 years
Lead CTs earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3474
($524 Figure 7) Their average age is 4754 years The
mean (SD) hourly wage for CT supervisors is $3695
($838 Figure 7) They are on average aged 4947 years
CT managers earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $4363
($812 Figure 7) The average annual wages of CTs by job
level are shown in Table 2 The mean age for managers is
5214 years Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facil-
ities for leads supervisors managers and directors was not
performed due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level
Of the facilities that were analyzed academic hospitals
with 300 to 499 beds show the highest hourly pay rate at
$3534 for all CT respondents regardless of level All CTs
earn an average hourly rate of $3408 at referenceindepen-
dent laboratories $3295 at nonacademic hospitals with 300
to 499 beds $3286 at pathologistclinical scientist laborato-
ries and $3280 at academic hospitals with more than 500
beds The average age for all CT respondents is 4660 years
which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
Most CT respondents work in anatomic pathology and
cytology departments The hourly compensation offered by
these departments is on average $3318 and $3364 respec-
tively Regardless of position level California pays CTs the
highest and Ohio the lowest Table 4 Results indicate that
on average CTs have 1812 total years of experience in the
field and have been in their current position for 1210 years
the most number of years of experience and working in
their current title among all the groups surveyed (Figures 9
and 10)
Analysis of pay rates by all 50 states and the average age by
state for CTs was not performed due to the small sample size
Histotechnicians
The national mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level
HTs is $2441 ($492 Figure 7) Pay rates among the
Table 3Average Annual Salaries for Cytogenetic Technologists by
State From Highest to Lowest Payinga
Cytogenetic Technologist Hourly Wage
California $4379
Massachusetts $3633
Arizona $3571
Minnesota $3296
Tennessee $3082
Virginia $2923
Texas $2769
North Carolina $2419
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
1812
1700
1606 15961543
14701424 1395
12911214
11601126
1058
849
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
To
tal Y
ea
rs o
f E
xp
eri
en
ce
Occupational Title
Figure 9 Average years of total experience in the laboratory field by occupational title For definitions of abbreviations see
Table 1
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 341DOI 101093ajcpaqw220341Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
laboratory facilities surveyed are comparable except for
nonacademic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds which provide
staff HTs with the highest hourly wage of $2533 Academic
hospitals with more than 500 beds and referenceindepen-
dent laboratories pay $2533 and $2522 respectively
Academic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds and 100 to 299
beds both pay an average hourly wage of $2414 Clinic-
based histology laboratories pay $2484 an hour and nonaca-
demic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds pay the least at
$2411 The average age of staff HTs is 4211 years
Lead-level HTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of
$2801 ($623) The average age of lead HTs is 4601 years
HT supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3073
($664) and HT managers are paid $4211 ($1355
Figure 7) The average annual wages of HTs by job level are
listed in Table 2 Supervisors and managers are aged 4749
years and 4860 years on average respectively
Overall all HT respondents are paid the highest in
nonacademic hospitals with over 500 beds at $3385 per
hour and least in private industries at $2482 Figure 11
The average age for all HT respondents is 4398 years simi-
lar to the national average (Figure 8)
Anatomic pathology departments pay HTs an average
hourly wage of $2590 while histology departments pay
$2566 Geographically HTs regardless of position level
are paid a significantly higher wage in California and the
lowest in New York Table 5 According to the survey re-
sults HTs have an average of 1424 years of total experi-
ence in the laboratory field and have been in their current
position for 935 years (Figures 9 and 10)
The overall sample sizes (lt30) for occupational levels
were too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay rates
by all facilities and states surveyed Therefore we report data
from only certain facilities For the same reason analysis of
the average age by state for HTs was not performed
Histotechnologists
The mean (SD) hourly wage for staff HTLs is $2682
($623 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff are highest at academic
hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $2807 Academic
1210
1123
1038995
952 935 913887 872 859
824794
754
692
556
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14A
vera
ge Y
ears
Occupational Title
Figure 10 Average years of working in current occupational title For definitions of abbreviations see Table 1
Table 4Average Annual Salaries for Cytotechnologists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Cytotechnologist Hourly Wage
California $4584
Minnesota $3425
Texas $3416
Florida $3333
Pennsylvania $3096
Ohio $3044
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
342 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology342 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
hospitals with over 500 beds pay $2782 and referencein-
dependent laboratories pay $2688 Staff HTLs have an av-
erage age of 4275 years
Lead-level HTLs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of
$3051 ($640) The average age of lead HTs is 4486 years
Supervisor HTLs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3191 ($630 Figure 7) The average age for supervisors is
4818 years Manager HTLs earn a mean (SD) hourly wage
of $4019 ($1346 Figure 7) The average annual wages of
HTLs by job level are listed in Table 2 Survey results indi-
cate that the average age for managers is 4977 years
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities for
leads supervisors managers and directors was not performed
due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level Regardless
of level academic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds and over
500 beds show the highest hourly pay rate at $2963 and
$2943 respectively HTLs earn an average hourly rate of
$2817 at referenceindependent laboratories $2817 at pri-
vate industries and $2705 at pathologistclinical scientist lab-
oratories The average age for all HTL respondents is 4518
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
By department most HTL respondents are found in an-
atomic pathology and histology They are paid average
hourly wages of $2941 and $2774 respectively The high-
est paying state for all HTL levels is California and the low-
est paying state is Michigan Table 6 Overall HTLs have
an average of 1543 years of total experience in the labora-
tory field and have been working in their current occupa-
tional title for an average of 913 years (Figures 9 and 10)
The overall sample sizes (lt30) for the occupational levels
were too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay rates
by all facilities and states surveyed For the same reason anal-
ysis of the average age by state for HTLs was not performed
Laboratory Assistants
On average LA staff members make a mean (SD)
hourly wage of $1645 ($378 Figure 7) Outpatient clinic
laboratories pay the most for staff LAs at $1750 per hour
Academic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds pay the highest at
$3385
$2855
$2655
$2623
$2579
$2545
$2538
$2537
$2503
$2492
$2482
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Physic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
al PathologistClinic scientist laboratory
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Clinic-based histology laboratory
Hospital 300-499 beds
Hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Average Hourly Wage for All HT Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 11 Average hourly wage of all histotechnician (HT) respondents by facility
Table 5Average Annual Salaries for Histotechnicians by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Histotechnician Hourly Wage
California $3081
Arizona $2679
Georgia $2675
Texas $2643
Pennsylvania $2512
Illinois $2481
Tennessee $2462
Florida $2443
Minnesota $2438
Wisconsin $2418
Michigan $2347
North Carolina $2339
Ohio $2301
New York $2247
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 343DOI 101093ajcpaqw220343Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
$1641 per hour and academic hospitals with 300 to 499
beds pay the lowest at $1575 per hour Results of the wage
difference between the other laboratory facilities for staff
LAs do not allow for statistically significant comparisons
Results indicate they have an average age of 4096 years
LA leads earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $1782 ($381
Figure 7) The average annual wages of LAs by job level are
listed in Table 2 On average leads are 4144 years old
Overall all LA respondents are paid the highest in out-
patient clinic laboratories at $1789 per hour and the least in
academic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds at $1690 and aca-
demic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $1661 The average
age for all LA respondents is 4107 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8)
LA respondents are mostly found in the following de-
partments with the corresponding average hourly pay all
multiple departments $1759 phlebotomy $1668 and
specimen processing $1637 Results show that LAs have
an average of 1126 years of total experience working in the
field and have worked in their current position for an aver-
age of 754 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Results of the wage difference between laboratory fa-
cilities and states for LA leads managers and supervisors
do not allow for statistically significant comparisons For
the same reason analysis of the average age by state for
LAs was not performed
Medical Laboratory TechniciansClinical Laboratory
Technicians
The national mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level
MLTsCLTs is $2089 ($454 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff
are highest in government facilities at $2185 per hour and
lowest at academic hospitals with less than 100 beds at
$1989 per hour Figure 12 The average age of staff MLTs
CLTs is 4012 years By state Indiana has the oldest staff at
4381 years with the youngest in Alabama at 3675 years
Figure 13 The overall sample size (lt30) for this occupa-
tional level was too small for meaningful statistical analysis
of pay rates by all facilities surveyed
Lead MLTsCLTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$2355 ($531 Figure 7) Results indicate they have an aver-
age age of 4339 years The mean (SD) hourly wage for
MLTCLT supervisors is $2533 ($650 Figure 7) The av-
erage age for this group is 4523 years MLTCLT managers
earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3175 ($647 Figure 7)
The average annual wages of MLTsCLT by job level are
listed in Table 2 The age of managers averages 4800 years
Community-based facilities show the highest hourly pay
rate at $2239 and academic hospitals with fewer than 100
beds show the lowest at $2030 for all MLTCLTs Figure 14
$2185
$2119
$2118
$2117
$2115
$2114
$2102
$2084
$2076
$2074
$2035
$1990
$1989
$1850 $1900 $1950 $2000 $2050 $2100 $2150 $2200
Government
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos office laboratory
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Public health laboratory
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff MLTCLT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 12 Average hourly wage of staff medical laboratory techniciansclinical laboratory technicians (MLTsCLTs) by facility
Table 6Average Annual Salaries for Histotechnologists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Histotechnologist Hourly Wage
California $3570
New York $3208
Florida $2833
Pennsylvania $2695
Texas $2615
North Carolina $2610
Illinois $2527
Michigan $2282
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
344 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology344 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
438
1
430
0
428
8
425
1
424
9
424
7
415
5
408
4
404
1
403
5
397
4
395
7
394
9
391
9
391
3
387
8
386
4
384
6
383
5
383
2
378
8
375
6
367
5
32
34
36
38
40
42
44
46A
ve
rag
e A
ge
(y)
States
Figure 13 Average ages for staff medical laboratory techniciansclinical laboratory technicians (MLTsCLSs) by state Sample
size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons
$2239
$2186
$2178
$2155
$2151
$2150
$2133
$2130
$2114
$2112
$2099
$2049
$2030
$1900 $1950 $2000 $2050 $2100 $2150 $2200 $2250
Community-based
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonp t
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for all MLTCLT Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 14 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory technicianclinical laboratory technician (MLTCLT) respondents by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 345DOI 101093ajcpaqw220345Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
The average age for all MLTCLT respondents is 4101 years
younger than the national average (Figure 8)
According to survey results the blood bank department
paid MLTsCLTs the highest at an average of $2328 per hour
and allmultiple departments the lowest at $2064 per hour
Figure 15 Geographically MLTsCLTs regardless of posi-
tion level are paid significantly higher wages in California
and lowest in Alabama Table 7 Overall MLTsCLTs have
an average of 1214 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and have been working in their current title for 887
years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities de-
partment and states for leads supervisors managers and
directors was not performed due to the small sample size
(lt30) of each level For the same reason average age by
state was not analyzed
Medical Laboratory ScientistsMedical Technologists
Clinical Laboratory Scientists
Staff-level MLSsMTsCLSs are paid a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $2790 ($678 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff
are highest at government facilities at $2990 per hour
and lowest at physiciansrsquo office laboratories (POLs) at
$2502 per hour Figure 16 The mean age for staff MLSs
MTsCLSs is 4196 years Geographically MLTsCLTs
are the oldest in New Hampshire and the youngest in South
Dakota Figure 17
$2328 $2308
$2260
$2149 $2133 $2129 $2119
$2064
$1900
$1950
$2000
$2050
$2100
$2150
$2200
$2250
$2300
$2350
Ave
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Departments
Figure 15 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) medical laboratory technicianclinical labora-
tory technician (MLTCLT) respondents by department
Table 7Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Technicians
Clinical Laboratory Technicians by State From Highest to
Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory Technician
Clinical Laboratory Technician Hourly Wage
California $2927
Massachusetts $2526
Washington $2460
New York $2449
Maryland $2428
Arizona $2367
Colorado $2305
Minnesota $2265
Pennsylvania $2239
Nebraska $2193
Virginia $2188
Wisconsin $2156
Indiana $2120
Illinois $2120
Ohio $2101
Georgia $2076
Iowa $2074
Texas $2060
Michigan $2055
Kentucky $2041
Tennessee $2020
Missouri $2014
Kansas $1996
North Carolina $1857
Mississippi $1808
South Carolina $1787
Alabama $1775
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
346 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology346 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
MLSMTCLS leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3154 ($735 Figure 7) Academic hospitals with 300 to
499 beds pay a significantly high hourly rate for lead MLSs
MTsCLSs compared with all facilities surveyed at $3335
The facility providing the lowest pay is the POL at $2771 per
hour Figure 18 They have an average age of 4597 years
MLSMTCLS supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly
rate of $3343 ($900 Figure 7) Results indicate that refer-
enceindependent laboratories pay the highest hourly wage
at $3622 whereas POLs pay $2871 per hour Figure 19
This group has an average age of 4834 years
The mean (SD) hourly wage for MLSMTCLS managers
is $3313 ($952 Figure 7) Pay rates for managers are highest
at referenceindependent laboratories at $4463 per hour fol-
lowed by academic hospitals with over 500 beds at $4242
nonacademic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $4130 nonac-
ademic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds at $4041 POLs at
$3653 and academic hospitals with fewer than 100 beds
at $3125 per hour Results indicate that managers have an
average age of 5017 years
MLSMTCLS directors earn a mean (SD) hourly wage
of $3799 ($1519 Figure 7) The average annual wages of
MLSsMTsCLSs by job level are listed in Table 2
Directors have an average age of 5186 years
MLSMTCLS respondents regardless of level are
paid the lowest in blood centers at $2623 per hour and
highest in government facilities at $3279 per hour
Figure 20 The average age for all MLSMTCLS re-
spondents is 4436 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8)
Survey results indicate that the LIS-QA-PI department
pays the highest at $3516 and the generalists department
pays the lowest at $2791 on average per hour Figure 21
The top 10 highest-paying states for all MLSMTCLS
levels are California Nevada Oregon Massachusetts
Connecticut Washington New York Arizona Minnesota
and Colorado Table 8 According to survey results MLSs
MTsCLSs have an average of 1596 years of total experience
in the laboratory field and have been working in their current
occupational title for 1038 years (Figures 9 and 10)
$2990
$2870
$2861
$2848
$2834
$2821
$2816
$2807
$2790
$2784
$2779
$2776
$2752
$2697
$2656
$2635
$2579
$2502
$22 $23 $24 $25 $26 $27 $28 $29 $30
Government
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Private industry
Reference
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Military VA VHA
Nonp t
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Blood center
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Staff MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 16 Average hourly wage of staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 347DOI 101093ajcpaqw220347Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
The overall sample size (lt30) for all occupational lev-
els was too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay
rates by all facilities and departments surveyed For the
same reason average age by state for leads supervisors and
directors was not analyzed
Molecular Biologists
The mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level MBs is
$2745 ($828 Figure 7) According to survey results staff
MBs have an average age of 3841 years
Lead-level MBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3465
($844 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4341 years
MB supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3866 ($1233
Figure 7) The average annual wages of MBs by job level are
listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervisors have an aver-
age age of 4216 years and managers of 3896 years
Most of the MB respondents are found in the molecular
pathology (pathgen) department and are paid an average
hourly wage of $2963 The average age for all MB respon-
dents is 4004 years which is younger than the national av-
erage (Figure 8) According to survey results MBs have
849 total years of experience working in the laboratory
field and an average of 556 years working in their current
occupational title the least number of years of experience
and working in their current title among all the groups sur-
veyed (Figures 9 and 10)
Results regarding the wage differences between
laboratory facilities and states for MBs do not allow for
480
5
467
9
463
9
455
2
454
7
454
0
452
3
450
6
449
8
447
6
443
6
438
9
436
3
436
1
435
0
434
2
431
0
426
8
425
6
424
3
422
8
422
0
420
8
418
8
418
4
417
2
415
7
411
7
408
8
407
0
402
1
401
3
401
2
397
2
396
2
390
6
387
2
377
1
371
2
369
7
360
0
359
3
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50A
ve
rag
e A
ge
(y)
States
Figure 17 Average ages for staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists (MLSsMTs
CLSs) by state Sample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
348 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology348 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
statistically significant comparisons because respondents
in the survey had a small sample size For the same
reason average ages by state of each level were not
analyzed
Pathologistsrsquo Assistants
The mean (SD) national hourly wage for staff-level
PAs is $4330 ($1291 Figure 7) The mean age for staff
PAs is 3783 years
$3335
$3314
$3301
$3282
$3229
$3205
$3197
$3197
$3130
$3035
$3018
$2937
$2914
$2771
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Military VA VHA
No t
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Average Hourly Wage for Lead MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 18 Average hourly wage of lead medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
$3622
$3563
$3558
$3473
$3456
$3354
$3152
$2871
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35 $40
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Supervisor MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 19 Average hourly wage of supervisor medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 349DOI 101093ajcpaqw220349Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Lead PAs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $4781
($827 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4226 years The
mean (SD) hourly wage for PA supervisors is $5158
($1088 Figure 7) The average annual wages of PAs by
job level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervi-
sors have an average age of 4107 years and managers of
4706 years
PA respondents were mostly found in the anatomic pa-
thology departments which pays them an average salary of
$4312 per hour According to survey results PAs are the
youngest laboratory professionals with an average age of
3947 years which is younger than the national average
(Figure 8) Overall PAs have an average of 1058 total years
of experience in the laboratory field and 794 years in their
current title (Figures 9 and 10)
We did not perform analysis of wage data by facility
and state for PAs because the results would provide statisti-
cally insignificant values due to the small sample size For
the same reason average ages by state of each level were
not analyzed
Performance Improvement or Quality Assurance
The mean (SD) hourly wage for PI or QA staff is
$3837 ($913 Figure 7) The average age of staff PI or QA
is 4902 years Manager-level PI or QA staff are paid a
mean (SD) hourly rate of $4225 ($1042 Figure 7) The av-
erage annual wages of PI or QA staff by job level are listed
in Table 2 The mean age for managers is 4674 years
The department where most PI or QA personnel were
found is the LIS-QA-PI This department pays an average
hourly wage of $3378 Results indicate that leads have an
average age of 4593 years supervisors 4877 years and di-
rectors 5670 years The average age for all PI or QA re-
spondents is 4864 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8) According to survey results PI or QA
staff have an average of 1291 years of total experience in
the laboratory field and 692 years working in their current
occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of overall mean hourly wage for leads supervi-
sors and directors as well as average hourly wages paid by
facilities and states for PI or QA staff was not performed due
$3279
$3064
$3002
$2998
$2981
$2929
$2922
$2918
$2908
$2906
$2904
$2878
$2855
$2804
$2801
$2785
$2783
$2775
$2769
$2640
$2623
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Government
Military VA VHA
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Reference
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonp t
Community-based
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Public health laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Private industry
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Blood center
Average Hourly Wage for All MLSMTCLS Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 20 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
350 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology350 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
to the small sample size (lt30) of each level For the same rea-
son average ages by state of each level were not analyzed
Phlebotomists
Staff PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1497
($342 Figure 7) Results indicate that academic hospitals
with over 500 beds pay the highest hourly wage at $1584
and that hospitals with fewer than 100 beds pay the lowest
hourly wage at $1375 Figure 22 The overall sample size
(lt30) for this occupational level was too small for meaning-
ful statistical analysis of pay rates by all institutions sur-
veyed The data indicate that the average age for staff PBTs
is 4179 years
Lead PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1696
($344 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4322 years PBT man-
agers earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $2108 ($701 Figure
7) The average annual wages of PBTs by job level are listed
in Table 2 This group has an average age of 4428 years
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities for
leads supervisors managers and directors was not per-
formed due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level
But overall academic hospitals with over 500 beds pay the
highest hourly wage at $1635 and academic hospitals with
less than 100 beds at $1413 for PBTs Figure 23
Geographically PBTs regardless of position level are paid
a significantly higher wage in Washington State and lowest
in Michigan Table 9
Most PBT respondents are found in the phlebotomy and
allmultiple departments They are paid an average hourly
wage of $1546 and $1527 respectively The average age
for all PBT respondents is 4212 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8) Overall PBTs have an
average of 1160 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and 824 years working in their current title (Figures 9
and 10)
Analysis of the average age for PBT managers and directors
was not performed due to the small sample size For the same
reason analysis of average age by state was not performed
Specialists in Blood Banking
Staff-level SBBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $2851
($946 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4558 years
SBB leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3105
($610 Figure 7) Data indicate that the average age for lead
SBBs is 4242 years SBB supervisors earn a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $3443 ($637 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4924
years The mean (SD) hourly wage for SBB managers is $4505
($996 Figure 7) The average annual wages of SBBs by job
level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that the average age
for managers is 4979 years while directors are at 5171 years
Most SBB respondents are found in the blood bank de-
partment which pays them an average hourly wage of
$3137 The average age for all SBB respondents is 4767
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
$3516
$3211 $3106 $3099 $3031 $3002 $3001 $2981 $2908 $2845 $2834 $2791
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40A
ve
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Figure 21 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by department
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
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by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Results show that SBBs have an average of 1700 years of
total experience working in the field and have been working
in their current title for 872 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility and state as well as
average age by state for SBBs was not performed because
the results would provide statistically insignificant values
For the same reason average ages by state of each level
were not analyzed
Administration
The mean (SD) hourly wage for administration man-
agers is $4315 ($1101 Figure 7) The average age of man-
agers is 5157 years Administration directors earn a mean
(SD) hourly wage of $5910 ($2122 Figure 7) The average
annual wages of administrative personnel by job level are
listed in Table 2 Data indicate that the average age for di-
rectors is 5504 years
Administrative personnel are the oldest group of labora-
tory professionals with an overall average age of 5362
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
Overall administrative personnel have an average of 1606
total years of experience in the laboratory field and 952
years in their current occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was not performed
Laboratory Information Systems
Staff-level LIS personnel are paid a mean (SD) hourly
wage of $3361 ($704 Figure 7) The mean age for LIS
staff is 4820 years
Leads have an average age of 5167 years supervisors
5263 years and managers 5067 years The average age for
all LIS respondents is 4973 years which is older than the
national average (Figure 8) According to survey results
LIS personnel have an average of 1470 years of total expe-
rience in the laboratory field and have been working in their
current title for 859 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was performed
Summary
Compared with the 2013 ASCP wage survey salaries are
up for all staff-level laboratory professionals except PBTs and
PAs who have a ndash40 and ndash650 change in annual hourly
wage respectively Table 10 The annual hourly wages for
leads were also up in 2015 except for CTs (ndash130) and
SBBs (ndash331) Table 11 Supervisorsrsquo annual hourly wages
however are down except for MLTsCLTs PAs and MLSs
MTsCLSs at 1210 583 and 187 respectively
Table 12 Manager- and director-level comparisons were not
conducted due to small sample size LAs and PBTs regardless
of level continue to have lower salaries while PAs and
administration personnel have higher salaries than the rest of
the laboratory professions surveyed
Table 8Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Scientists
Medical TechnologistsClinical Laboratory Scientists by State
From Highest to Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory ScientistMedical
TechnologistClinical Laboratory Scientist Hourly Wage
California $4620
Nevada $3494
Oregon $3324
Massachusetts $3262
Connecticut $3253
Washington $3190
New York $3087
Arizona $3082
Minnesota $3060
Colorado $3054
New Jersey $3020
New Hampshire $2999
Maryland $2933
Georgia $2881
Idaho $2814
Montana $2795
Kansas $2753
New Mexico $2737
Missouri $2735
South Carolina $2729
Pennsylvania $2728
Wisconsin $2725
Florida $2710
Kentucky $2697
Virginia $2697
Indiana $2694
Ohio $2687
Illinois $2683
Texas $2682
Nebraska $2679
Michigan $2615
Maine $2605
Tennessee $2597
Oklahoma $2589
Louisiana $2585
Iowa $2579
West Virginia $2568
North Carolina $2499
Utah $2487
Mississippi $2461
North Dakota $2458
Alabama $2457
Arkansas $2444
South Dakota $2441
Puerto Rico $1526
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
352 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology352 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Although salaries appear to have increased over time
for the overall profession there is not a considerable differ-
ence between the average hourly wages of laboratory pro-
fessionals working as they accumulate more years of
experience in the field Table 13 For example the average
hourly wage for HTs for the first 5 years is $2277 It was
found that HTs received a pay raise after 6 to 10 years of
work experience earning an average of $2525 per hour
However it appears that there is a wage cap around $2800
per hour for HTs with more than 16 years of experience
$1635
$1607
$1575
$1565
$1506
$1498
$1488
$1483
$1413
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600 $1650
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Overall Hourly Wage for PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 23 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) phlebotomist (PBT) respondents by facility
$1584
$1557
$1548
$1476
$1468
$1466
$1465
$1450
$1426
$1375
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonp t
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 22 Average hourly wage of staff phlebotomists (PBTs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
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by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
For MLTsCLTs the average hourly wage is $1889 for the
first 5 years of experience While MLTsCLTs tended to re-
ceive an increased hourly wage for every 5 years of work
experience those working for 36 to 40 years only earn
$718 per hour more than those with 0 to 5 years of experi-
ence On average PBTs earn $1361 per hour for 0 to 5
years of experience with an average of approximately
$100 for every 5 years of experience The survey has also
revealed a potential wage cap around $1800 per hour for
PBTs with more than 20 years of experience
This year we also looked at the average wage of labo-
ratory professionals based on age and found that salaries
continue to increase considerably for every age range except
LAs and PBTs Table 14 MLSsMTsCLSs aged 55 years
and older experience a wage cap at $3282
In addition to analyzing wages this survey also asked
questions to gain an in-depth perspective on the laboratory
workforce The US Department of Laborrsquos Bureau of Labor
Statistics reported that the job outlook for medical and
clinical laboratory technologists and technicians between
2014 and 2024 is expected to grow 16 which is faster
than the average rate1 Figure 8 suggests strategic focus on
recruitment and supports the results of the ASCP 2014
Vacancy Survey (httpajcpascpjournalsorgcontent
1443432fullpdf) on filling the upcoming vacancies
Results show that laboratory professionals are aging and
therefore the field needs to fill the vacancies with
qualified laboratory professionals There is also a need for
recruiting younger laboratory professionals because ac-
cording to the survey results the youngest group are the
PAs with an average age of 3947 years Recruitment
Table 9Average Annual Salaries for Phlebotomists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Phlebotomist Hourly Wage
Washington $1839
Massachusetts $1819
Minnesota $1807
Oregon $1778
Maryland $1720
New York $1639
Virginia $1628
Wisconsin $1610
Montana $1607
Pennsylvania $1586
Illinois $1570
Colorado $1523
Texas $1505
North Carolina $1449
South Carolina $1444
Florida $1428
Indiana $1406
Ohio $1404
Georgia $1377
Missouri $1361
Tennessee $1332
Michigan $1325
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Table 10Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Staff
Between 2013 and 2015a
Staff 2015 2013 Change
CG $3110 $2863 86
CT $3239 $3145 30
MLSMTCLS $2790 $2713 28
LA $1645 $1603 26
MLTCLT $2089 $2049 20
HT $2441 $2396 19
MB $2745 $2696 18
SBB $2851 $2807 15
HTL $2682 $2663 07
PBT $1497 $1560 40
PA $4330 $4632 65
PI or QA $3837 NA NA
LIS $3361 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 11Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Leads
Between 2013 and 2015a
Lead 2015 2013 Change
CG $3551 $3222 1022
HTL $3051 $2876 607
MLTCLT $2355 $2238 522
HT $2801 $2681 448
MLSMTCLS $3154 $3081 236
PBT $1696 $1671 149
CT $3474 $3520 130
SBB $3105 $3211 331
LA $1782 NA NA
MB $3465 NA NA
PA $4781 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 12Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for
Supervisors Between 2013 and 2015a
Supervisor 2015 2013 Change
MLTCLT $2533 $2260 1210
PA $5158 $4874 583
MLSMTCLS $3343 $3282 187
SBB $3443 $3444 ndash004
CT $3695 $3709 ndash038
HTL $3191 $3241 ndash155
HT $3073 $3129 ndash180
CG $3863 $3995 ndash332
MB $3866 NA NA
PBT $2108 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
354 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology354 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
should focus on the following occupational titles CT
HTL MLSMTCLS PI or QA SBB administration and
LIS as their average ages are higher compared with the
national average (Figure 8)
In addition to recruitment retention warrants the same
focus According to Rex Famitangco2 chair of the ASCP
Council of Laboratory Professionals (CLP) ldquoStriving to re-
tain quality staff is a vital part of maintaining a laboratoryrsquos
Table 13Total Years of Experience at Current Occupational Title by Average Hourly Wagea
Time in Current Title y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PA PBT
0-5 $2620 $2833 $2277 $2469 $1516 $1889 $2527 $2621 $4300 $1361
6-10 $3007 $3093 $2525 $2772 $1700 $2089 $2798 $2991 $4489 $1469
11-15 $3304 $3215 $2657 $2952 $1745 $2209 $2979 NA $4693 $1662
16-20 $3593 $3579 $2871 NA NA $2366 $3050 NA NA $1725
21-25 $3718 $3681 $2883 NA NA $2412 $3155 NA NA $1827
26-30 $3835 $3834 $2825 $3279 NA $2512 $3257 NA NA $1810
31-35 NA $3580 NA NA NA $2588 $3308 NA NA NA
36-40 NA $3585 NA NA NA $2607 $3316 NA NA NA
41thorn NA NA NA NA NA $3281 $3281 NA NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PI or QA staff were not included due to its small sample size
Table 14Age by Average Hourly Wagea
Age y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PBT
18-24 NA NA NA NA NA $1760 $2270 NA $1316
25-34 $2823 $2881 $2330 $2446 $1677 $1945 $2545 $2591 $1439
35-44 $3203 $3236 $2575 $2867 $1700 $2085 $2861 $3033 $1508
45-54 $3631 $3449 $2720 $2890 $1704 $2296 $3120 NA $1609
55-64 NA $3703 $2751 $3206 $1794 $2465 $3282 NA $1737
65-74 NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
75thorn NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PAs were not included due to its small sample size
Table 15Percent of Responses per BenefitPerk Offered by Institution
Perks Offered by Institution Total of Responses per Category
Medicalvision benefits 8818
Dental benefits 8469
Pensionretirement benefits 6704
Free or convenient employee parking 6688
Premium pay for overtime holidays and weekends 5947
Paying for continuing education 3957
Paying for tuition 3885
Flexible work hours 2497
Miscellaneous bonuses (eg tied to work company performance etc) 2485
Bonuses not directly tied to work (including holidays and profit-sharing bonuses) 2299
On-call pay 1961
Paying for certifications or qualifications 1720
Monetary bonus (eg sign-on bonus referral bonus miscellaneous bonuses) 1684
Transportation allowances 1174
Paying for professional memberships 1035
Daycare 780
Uniform allowances 700
Laptop or tablet 682
Providing a company phone for you 546
Free or subsidized room and board 086
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 355DOI 101093ajcpaqw220355Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
functionalityrdquo Employee development such as training
continuing education and mentoring can prove beneficial in
retaining staff2 Survey respondents were asked about the
benefits and perks they receive from their institution
and medicaldentalvision pensionretirement overtime
holidayweekends and employee parking were the top
fringe benefits they receive Paying for continuing educa-
tion certifications professional memberships and day care
were among the benefits that are not provided to many labo-
ratory professionals Table 15
Last this survey asked the respondents to provide com-
ments after the completion of the survey We received a total
of 2230 comments and found that 2762 addressed being un-
derpaidunderappreciated 2166 of them addressed the need
for increased wages andraises 1493 provided suggestions
for future surveys 3018 expressed appreciation for the
opportunity this survey provides in giving the laboratory pro-
fessionals a platform to encourage advocacy and 561 were
categorized as ldquoOtherrdquo Institutions are encouraged to take into
consideration laboratory professionalsrsquo compensation and base
their pay on level of education training years of experience
and cost of living as well as making their pay comparable to
other allied health professionals with higher salaries
Corresponding author Edna Garcia MPH 1225 New York Ave
NW Ste 350 Washington DC 20009 ednagarciaascporg
Contributors Carter Ainsworth ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Andrea Bennett MPH
MT (ASCP) ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp Policy
Washington DC Matthew Schulze ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Patricia Tanabe MPA
MLS (ASCP)CM ASCP Board of Certification Chicago IL and
Elizabeth Waibel MPH ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp
Policy Washington DC
Reviewers Mark Bailey MA HTL (ASCP)CM The University
of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Alexandra
Brown MD FASCP ASCP Institute of Science Technology and
Policy Washington DC Lynnette G Chakkaphak MS MT
(ASCP) St Vincentrsquos HealthCare Jacksonville FL Vicki S
Freeman PhD MASCP MLS (ASCP)CM SCCM FACB The
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Jack A Hager
MT (ASCP) SBB Oregon Health and Science University
Portland Rex F Famitangco MS MLS (ASCP)CM QLC MT
(AMT) CLC AHI Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff Carlo Joseph Ledesma MT (ASCP) Rose State
College Midwest City OK and Babatunde Oloyede PhD MLS
(ASCP) Federal Medical Center Durham NC
References
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbookhttpwwwblsgovoohhealthcaremedical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicianshtm Accessed July 182016
2 Famitangco R Investing in employees investing in the futureCrit Values 2016910-12
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
356 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology356 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
survey results staff-level CTs have an average age of
4425 years
Lead CTs earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3474
($524 Figure 7) Their average age is 4754 years The
mean (SD) hourly wage for CT supervisors is $3695
($838 Figure 7) They are on average aged 4947 years
CT managers earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $4363
($812 Figure 7) The average annual wages of CTs by job
level are shown in Table 2 The mean age for managers is
5214 years Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facil-
ities for leads supervisors managers and directors was not
performed due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level
Of the facilities that were analyzed academic hospitals
with 300 to 499 beds show the highest hourly pay rate at
$3534 for all CT respondents regardless of level All CTs
earn an average hourly rate of $3408 at referenceindepen-
dent laboratories $3295 at nonacademic hospitals with 300
to 499 beds $3286 at pathologistclinical scientist laborato-
ries and $3280 at academic hospitals with more than 500
beds The average age for all CT respondents is 4660 years
which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
Most CT respondents work in anatomic pathology and
cytology departments The hourly compensation offered by
these departments is on average $3318 and $3364 respec-
tively Regardless of position level California pays CTs the
highest and Ohio the lowest Table 4 Results indicate that
on average CTs have 1812 total years of experience in the
field and have been in their current position for 1210 years
the most number of years of experience and working in
their current title among all the groups surveyed (Figures 9
and 10)
Analysis of pay rates by all 50 states and the average age by
state for CTs was not performed due to the small sample size
Histotechnicians
The national mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level
HTs is $2441 ($492 Figure 7) Pay rates among the
Table 3Average Annual Salaries for Cytogenetic Technologists by
State From Highest to Lowest Payinga
Cytogenetic Technologist Hourly Wage
California $4379
Massachusetts $3633
Arizona $3571
Minnesota $3296
Tennessee $3082
Virginia $2923
Texas $2769
North Carolina $2419
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
1812
1700
1606 15961543
14701424 1395
12911214
11601126
1058
849
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
To
tal Y
ea
rs o
f E
xp
eri
en
ce
Occupational Title
Figure 9 Average years of total experience in the laboratory field by occupational title For definitions of abbreviations see
Table 1
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by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
laboratory facilities surveyed are comparable except for
nonacademic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds which provide
staff HTs with the highest hourly wage of $2533 Academic
hospitals with more than 500 beds and referenceindepen-
dent laboratories pay $2533 and $2522 respectively
Academic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds and 100 to 299
beds both pay an average hourly wage of $2414 Clinic-
based histology laboratories pay $2484 an hour and nonaca-
demic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds pay the least at
$2411 The average age of staff HTs is 4211 years
Lead-level HTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of
$2801 ($623) The average age of lead HTs is 4601 years
HT supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3073
($664) and HT managers are paid $4211 ($1355
Figure 7) The average annual wages of HTs by job level are
listed in Table 2 Supervisors and managers are aged 4749
years and 4860 years on average respectively
Overall all HT respondents are paid the highest in
nonacademic hospitals with over 500 beds at $3385 per
hour and least in private industries at $2482 Figure 11
The average age for all HT respondents is 4398 years simi-
lar to the national average (Figure 8)
Anatomic pathology departments pay HTs an average
hourly wage of $2590 while histology departments pay
$2566 Geographically HTs regardless of position level
are paid a significantly higher wage in California and the
lowest in New York Table 5 According to the survey re-
sults HTs have an average of 1424 years of total experi-
ence in the laboratory field and have been in their current
position for 935 years (Figures 9 and 10)
The overall sample sizes (lt30) for occupational levels
were too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay rates
by all facilities and states surveyed Therefore we report data
from only certain facilities For the same reason analysis of
the average age by state for HTs was not performed
Histotechnologists
The mean (SD) hourly wage for staff HTLs is $2682
($623 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff are highest at academic
hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $2807 Academic
1210
1123
1038995
952 935 913887 872 859
824794
754
692
556
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14A
vera
ge Y
ears
Occupational Title
Figure 10 Average years of working in current occupational title For definitions of abbreviations see Table 1
Table 4Average Annual Salaries for Cytotechnologists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Cytotechnologist Hourly Wage
California $4584
Minnesota $3425
Texas $3416
Florida $3333
Pennsylvania $3096
Ohio $3044
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
342 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology342 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
hospitals with over 500 beds pay $2782 and referencein-
dependent laboratories pay $2688 Staff HTLs have an av-
erage age of 4275 years
Lead-level HTLs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of
$3051 ($640) The average age of lead HTs is 4486 years
Supervisor HTLs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3191 ($630 Figure 7) The average age for supervisors is
4818 years Manager HTLs earn a mean (SD) hourly wage
of $4019 ($1346 Figure 7) The average annual wages of
HTLs by job level are listed in Table 2 Survey results indi-
cate that the average age for managers is 4977 years
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities for
leads supervisors managers and directors was not performed
due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level Regardless
of level academic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds and over
500 beds show the highest hourly pay rate at $2963 and
$2943 respectively HTLs earn an average hourly rate of
$2817 at referenceindependent laboratories $2817 at pri-
vate industries and $2705 at pathologistclinical scientist lab-
oratories The average age for all HTL respondents is 4518
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
By department most HTL respondents are found in an-
atomic pathology and histology They are paid average
hourly wages of $2941 and $2774 respectively The high-
est paying state for all HTL levels is California and the low-
est paying state is Michigan Table 6 Overall HTLs have
an average of 1543 years of total experience in the labora-
tory field and have been working in their current occupa-
tional title for an average of 913 years (Figures 9 and 10)
The overall sample sizes (lt30) for the occupational levels
were too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay rates
by all facilities and states surveyed For the same reason anal-
ysis of the average age by state for HTLs was not performed
Laboratory Assistants
On average LA staff members make a mean (SD)
hourly wage of $1645 ($378 Figure 7) Outpatient clinic
laboratories pay the most for staff LAs at $1750 per hour
Academic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds pay the highest at
$3385
$2855
$2655
$2623
$2579
$2545
$2538
$2537
$2503
$2492
$2482
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Physic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
al PathologistClinic scientist laboratory
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Clinic-based histology laboratory
Hospital 300-499 beds
Hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Average Hourly Wage for All HT Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 11 Average hourly wage of all histotechnician (HT) respondents by facility
Table 5Average Annual Salaries for Histotechnicians by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Histotechnician Hourly Wage
California $3081
Arizona $2679
Georgia $2675
Texas $2643
Pennsylvania $2512
Illinois $2481
Tennessee $2462
Florida $2443
Minnesota $2438
Wisconsin $2418
Michigan $2347
North Carolina $2339
Ohio $2301
New York $2247
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 343DOI 101093ajcpaqw220343Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
$1641 per hour and academic hospitals with 300 to 499
beds pay the lowest at $1575 per hour Results of the wage
difference between the other laboratory facilities for staff
LAs do not allow for statistically significant comparisons
Results indicate they have an average age of 4096 years
LA leads earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $1782 ($381
Figure 7) The average annual wages of LAs by job level are
listed in Table 2 On average leads are 4144 years old
Overall all LA respondents are paid the highest in out-
patient clinic laboratories at $1789 per hour and the least in
academic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds at $1690 and aca-
demic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $1661 The average
age for all LA respondents is 4107 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8)
LA respondents are mostly found in the following de-
partments with the corresponding average hourly pay all
multiple departments $1759 phlebotomy $1668 and
specimen processing $1637 Results show that LAs have
an average of 1126 years of total experience working in the
field and have worked in their current position for an aver-
age of 754 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Results of the wage difference between laboratory fa-
cilities and states for LA leads managers and supervisors
do not allow for statistically significant comparisons For
the same reason analysis of the average age by state for
LAs was not performed
Medical Laboratory TechniciansClinical Laboratory
Technicians
The national mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level
MLTsCLTs is $2089 ($454 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff
are highest in government facilities at $2185 per hour and
lowest at academic hospitals with less than 100 beds at
$1989 per hour Figure 12 The average age of staff MLTs
CLTs is 4012 years By state Indiana has the oldest staff at
4381 years with the youngest in Alabama at 3675 years
Figure 13 The overall sample size (lt30) for this occupa-
tional level was too small for meaningful statistical analysis
of pay rates by all facilities surveyed
Lead MLTsCLTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$2355 ($531 Figure 7) Results indicate they have an aver-
age age of 4339 years The mean (SD) hourly wage for
MLTCLT supervisors is $2533 ($650 Figure 7) The av-
erage age for this group is 4523 years MLTCLT managers
earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3175 ($647 Figure 7)
The average annual wages of MLTsCLT by job level are
listed in Table 2 The age of managers averages 4800 years
Community-based facilities show the highest hourly pay
rate at $2239 and academic hospitals with fewer than 100
beds show the lowest at $2030 for all MLTCLTs Figure 14
$2185
$2119
$2118
$2117
$2115
$2114
$2102
$2084
$2076
$2074
$2035
$1990
$1989
$1850 $1900 $1950 $2000 $2050 $2100 $2150 $2200
Government
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos office laboratory
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Public health laboratory
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff MLTCLT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 12 Average hourly wage of staff medical laboratory techniciansclinical laboratory technicians (MLTsCLTs) by facility
Table 6Average Annual Salaries for Histotechnologists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Histotechnologist Hourly Wage
California $3570
New York $3208
Florida $2833
Pennsylvania $2695
Texas $2615
North Carolina $2610
Illinois $2527
Michigan $2282
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
344 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology344 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
438
1
430
0
428
8
425
1
424
9
424
7
415
5
408
4
404
1
403
5
397
4
395
7
394
9
391
9
391
3
387
8
386
4
384
6
383
5
383
2
378
8
375
6
367
5
32
34
36
38
40
42
44
46A
ve
rag
e A
ge
(y)
States
Figure 13 Average ages for staff medical laboratory techniciansclinical laboratory technicians (MLTsCLSs) by state Sample
size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons
$2239
$2186
$2178
$2155
$2151
$2150
$2133
$2130
$2114
$2112
$2099
$2049
$2030
$1900 $1950 $2000 $2050 $2100 $2150 $2200 $2250
Community-based
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonp t
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for all MLTCLT Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 14 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory technicianclinical laboratory technician (MLTCLT) respondents by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 345DOI 101093ajcpaqw220345Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
The average age for all MLTCLT respondents is 4101 years
younger than the national average (Figure 8)
According to survey results the blood bank department
paid MLTsCLTs the highest at an average of $2328 per hour
and allmultiple departments the lowest at $2064 per hour
Figure 15 Geographically MLTsCLTs regardless of posi-
tion level are paid significantly higher wages in California
and lowest in Alabama Table 7 Overall MLTsCLTs have
an average of 1214 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and have been working in their current title for 887
years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities de-
partment and states for leads supervisors managers and
directors was not performed due to the small sample size
(lt30) of each level For the same reason average age by
state was not analyzed
Medical Laboratory ScientistsMedical Technologists
Clinical Laboratory Scientists
Staff-level MLSsMTsCLSs are paid a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $2790 ($678 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff
are highest at government facilities at $2990 per hour
and lowest at physiciansrsquo office laboratories (POLs) at
$2502 per hour Figure 16 The mean age for staff MLSs
MTsCLSs is 4196 years Geographically MLTsCLTs
are the oldest in New Hampshire and the youngest in South
Dakota Figure 17
$2328 $2308
$2260
$2149 $2133 $2129 $2119
$2064
$1900
$1950
$2000
$2050
$2100
$2150
$2200
$2250
$2300
$2350
Ave
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Departments
Figure 15 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) medical laboratory technicianclinical labora-
tory technician (MLTCLT) respondents by department
Table 7Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Technicians
Clinical Laboratory Technicians by State From Highest to
Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory Technician
Clinical Laboratory Technician Hourly Wage
California $2927
Massachusetts $2526
Washington $2460
New York $2449
Maryland $2428
Arizona $2367
Colorado $2305
Minnesota $2265
Pennsylvania $2239
Nebraska $2193
Virginia $2188
Wisconsin $2156
Indiana $2120
Illinois $2120
Ohio $2101
Georgia $2076
Iowa $2074
Texas $2060
Michigan $2055
Kentucky $2041
Tennessee $2020
Missouri $2014
Kansas $1996
North Carolina $1857
Mississippi $1808
South Carolina $1787
Alabama $1775
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
346 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology346 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
MLSMTCLS leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3154 ($735 Figure 7) Academic hospitals with 300 to
499 beds pay a significantly high hourly rate for lead MLSs
MTsCLSs compared with all facilities surveyed at $3335
The facility providing the lowest pay is the POL at $2771 per
hour Figure 18 They have an average age of 4597 years
MLSMTCLS supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly
rate of $3343 ($900 Figure 7) Results indicate that refer-
enceindependent laboratories pay the highest hourly wage
at $3622 whereas POLs pay $2871 per hour Figure 19
This group has an average age of 4834 years
The mean (SD) hourly wage for MLSMTCLS managers
is $3313 ($952 Figure 7) Pay rates for managers are highest
at referenceindependent laboratories at $4463 per hour fol-
lowed by academic hospitals with over 500 beds at $4242
nonacademic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $4130 nonac-
ademic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds at $4041 POLs at
$3653 and academic hospitals with fewer than 100 beds
at $3125 per hour Results indicate that managers have an
average age of 5017 years
MLSMTCLS directors earn a mean (SD) hourly wage
of $3799 ($1519 Figure 7) The average annual wages of
MLSsMTsCLSs by job level are listed in Table 2
Directors have an average age of 5186 years
MLSMTCLS respondents regardless of level are
paid the lowest in blood centers at $2623 per hour and
highest in government facilities at $3279 per hour
Figure 20 The average age for all MLSMTCLS re-
spondents is 4436 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8)
Survey results indicate that the LIS-QA-PI department
pays the highest at $3516 and the generalists department
pays the lowest at $2791 on average per hour Figure 21
The top 10 highest-paying states for all MLSMTCLS
levels are California Nevada Oregon Massachusetts
Connecticut Washington New York Arizona Minnesota
and Colorado Table 8 According to survey results MLSs
MTsCLSs have an average of 1596 years of total experience
in the laboratory field and have been working in their current
occupational title for 1038 years (Figures 9 and 10)
$2990
$2870
$2861
$2848
$2834
$2821
$2816
$2807
$2790
$2784
$2779
$2776
$2752
$2697
$2656
$2635
$2579
$2502
$22 $23 $24 $25 $26 $27 $28 $29 $30
Government
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Private industry
Reference
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Military VA VHA
Nonp t
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Blood center
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Staff MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 16 Average hourly wage of staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 347DOI 101093ajcpaqw220347Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
The overall sample size (lt30) for all occupational lev-
els was too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay
rates by all facilities and departments surveyed For the
same reason average age by state for leads supervisors and
directors was not analyzed
Molecular Biologists
The mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level MBs is
$2745 ($828 Figure 7) According to survey results staff
MBs have an average age of 3841 years
Lead-level MBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3465
($844 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4341 years
MB supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3866 ($1233
Figure 7) The average annual wages of MBs by job level are
listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervisors have an aver-
age age of 4216 years and managers of 3896 years
Most of the MB respondents are found in the molecular
pathology (pathgen) department and are paid an average
hourly wage of $2963 The average age for all MB respon-
dents is 4004 years which is younger than the national av-
erage (Figure 8) According to survey results MBs have
849 total years of experience working in the laboratory
field and an average of 556 years working in their current
occupational title the least number of years of experience
and working in their current title among all the groups sur-
veyed (Figures 9 and 10)
Results regarding the wage differences between
laboratory facilities and states for MBs do not allow for
480
5
467
9
463
9
455
2
454
7
454
0
452
3
450
6
449
8
447
6
443
6
438
9
436
3
436
1
435
0
434
2
431
0
426
8
425
6
424
3
422
8
422
0
420
8
418
8
418
4
417
2
415
7
411
7
408
8
407
0
402
1
401
3
401
2
397
2
396
2
390
6
387
2
377
1
371
2
369
7
360
0
359
3
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50A
ve
rag
e A
ge
(y)
States
Figure 17 Average ages for staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists (MLSsMTs
CLSs) by state Sample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
348 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology348 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
statistically significant comparisons because respondents
in the survey had a small sample size For the same
reason average ages by state of each level were not
analyzed
Pathologistsrsquo Assistants
The mean (SD) national hourly wage for staff-level
PAs is $4330 ($1291 Figure 7) The mean age for staff
PAs is 3783 years
$3335
$3314
$3301
$3282
$3229
$3205
$3197
$3197
$3130
$3035
$3018
$2937
$2914
$2771
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Military VA VHA
No t
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Average Hourly Wage for Lead MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 18 Average hourly wage of lead medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
$3622
$3563
$3558
$3473
$3456
$3354
$3152
$2871
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35 $40
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Supervisor MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 19 Average hourly wage of supervisor medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 349DOI 101093ajcpaqw220349Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Lead PAs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $4781
($827 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4226 years The
mean (SD) hourly wage for PA supervisors is $5158
($1088 Figure 7) The average annual wages of PAs by
job level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervi-
sors have an average age of 4107 years and managers of
4706 years
PA respondents were mostly found in the anatomic pa-
thology departments which pays them an average salary of
$4312 per hour According to survey results PAs are the
youngest laboratory professionals with an average age of
3947 years which is younger than the national average
(Figure 8) Overall PAs have an average of 1058 total years
of experience in the laboratory field and 794 years in their
current title (Figures 9 and 10)
We did not perform analysis of wage data by facility
and state for PAs because the results would provide statisti-
cally insignificant values due to the small sample size For
the same reason average ages by state of each level were
not analyzed
Performance Improvement or Quality Assurance
The mean (SD) hourly wage for PI or QA staff is
$3837 ($913 Figure 7) The average age of staff PI or QA
is 4902 years Manager-level PI or QA staff are paid a
mean (SD) hourly rate of $4225 ($1042 Figure 7) The av-
erage annual wages of PI or QA staff by job level are listed
in Table 2 The mean age for managers is 4674 years
The department where most PI or QA personnel were
found is the LIS-QA-PI This department pays an average
hourly wage of $3378 Results indicate that leads have an
average age of 4593 years supervisors 4877 years and di-
rectors 5670 years The average age for all PI or QA re-
spondents is 4864 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8) According to survey results PI or QA
staff have an average of 1291 years of total experience in
the laboratory field and 692 years working in their current
occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of overall mean hourly wage for leads supervi-
sors and directors as well as average hourly wages paid by
facilities and states for PI or QA staff was not performed due
$3279
$3064
$3002
$2998
$2981
$2929
$2922
$2918
$2908
$2906
$2904
$2878
$2855
$2804
$2801
$2785
$2783
$2775
$2769
$2640
$2623
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Government
Military VA VHA
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Reference
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonp t
Community-based
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Public health laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Private industry
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Blood center
Average Hourly Wage for All MLSMTCLS Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 20 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
350 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology350 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
to the small sample size (lt30) of each level For the same rea-
son average ages by state of each level were not analyzed
Phlebotomists
Staff PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1497
($342 Figure 7) Results indicate that academic hospitals
with over 500 beds pay the highest hourly wage at $1584
and that hospitals with fewer than 100 beds pay the lowest
hourly wage at $1375 Figure 22 The overall sample size
(lt30) for this occupational level was too small for meaning-
ful statistical analysis of pay rates by all institutions sur-
veyed The data indicate that the average age for staff PBTs
is 4179 years
Lead PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1696
($344 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4322 years PBT man-
agers earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $2108 ($701 Figure
7) The average annual wages of PBTs by job level are listed
in Table 2 This group has an average age of 4428 years
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities for
leads supervisors managers and directors was not per-
formed due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level
But overall academic hospitals with over 500 beds pay the
highest hourly wage at $1635 and academic hospitals with
less than 100 beds at $1413 for PBTs Figure 23
Geographically PBTs regardless of position level are paid
a significantly higher wage in Washington State and lowest
in Michigan Table 9
Most PBT respondents are found in the phlebotomy and
allmultiple departments They are paid an average hourly
wage of $1546 and $1527 respectively The average age
for all PBT respondents is 4212 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8) Overall PBTs have an
average of 1160 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and 824 years working in their current title (Figures 9
and 10)
Analysis of the average age for PBT managers and directors
was not performed due to the small sample size For the same
reason analysis of average age by state was not performed
Specialists in Blood Banking
Staff-level SBBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $2851
($946 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4558 years
SBB leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3105
($610 Figure 7) Data indicate that the average age for lead
SBBs is 4242 years SBB supervisors earn a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $3443 ($637 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4924
years The mean (SD) hourly wage for SBB managers is $4505
($996 Figure 7) The average annual wages of SBBs by job
level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that the average age
for managers is 4979 years while directors are at 5171 years
Most SBB respondents are found in the blood bank de-
partment which pays them an average hourly wage of
$3137 The average age for all SBB respondents is 4767
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
$3516
$3211 $3106 $3099 $3031 $3002 $3001 $2981 $2908 $2845 $2834 $2791
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40A
ve
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Figure 21 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by department
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 351DOI 101093ajcpaqw220351Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Results show that SBBs have an average of 1700 years of
total experience working in the field and have been working
in their current title for 872 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility and state as well as
average age by state for SBBs was not performed because
the results would provide statistically insignificant values
For the same reason average ages by state of each level
were not analyzed
Administration
The mean (SD) hourly wage for administration man-
agers is $4315 ($1101 Figure 7) The average age of man-
agers is 5157 years Administration directors earn a mean
(SD) hourly wage of $5910 ($2122 Figure 7) The average
annual wages of administrative personnel by job level are
listed in Table 2 Data indicate that the average age for di-
rectors is 5504 years
Administrative personnel are the oldest group of labora-
tory professionals with an overall average age of 5362
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
Overall administrative personnel have an average of 1606
total years of experience in the laboratory field and 952
years in their current occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was not performed
Laboratory Information Systems
Staff-level LIS personnel are paid a mean (SD) hourly
wage of $3361 ($704 Figure 7) The mean age for LIS
staff is 4820 years
Leads have an average age of 5167 years supervisors
5263 years and managers 5067 years The average age for
all LIS respondents is 4973 years which is older than the
national average (Figure 8) According to survey results
LIS personnel have an average of 1470 years of total expe-
rience in the laboratory field and have been working in their
current title for 859 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was performed
Summary
Compared with the 2013 ASCP wage survey salaries are
up for all staff-level laboratory professionals except PBTs and
PAs who have a ndash40 and ndash650 change in annual hourly
wage respectively Table 10 The annual hourly wages for
leads were also up in 2015 except for CTs (ndash130) and
SBBs (ndash331) Table 11 Supervisorsrsquo annual hourly wages
however are down except for MLTsCLTs PAs and MLSs
MTsCLSs at 1210 583 and 187 respectively
Table 12 Manager- and director-level comparisons were not
conducted due to small sample size LAs and PBTs regardless
of level continue to have lower salaries while PAs and
administration personnel have higher salaries than the rest of
the laboratory professions surveyed
Table 8Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Scientists
Medical TechnologistsClinical Laboratory Scientists by State
From Highest to Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory ScientistMedical
TechnologistClinical Laboratory Scientist Hourly Wage
California $4620
Nevada $3494
Oregon $3324
Massachusetts $3262
Connecticut $3253
Washington $3190
New York $3087
Arizona $3082
Minnesota $3060
Colorado $3054
New Jersey $3020
New Hampshire $2999
Maryland $2933
Georgia $2881
Idaho $2814
Montana $2795
Kansas $2753
New Mexico $2737
Missouri $2735
South Carolina $2729
Pennsylvania $2728
Wisconsin $2725
Florida $2710
Kentucky $2697
Virginia $2697
Indiana $2694
Ohio $2687
Illinois $2683
Texas $2682
Nebraska $2679
Michigan $2615
Maine $2605
Tennessee $2597
Oklahoma $2589
Louisiana $2585
Iowa $2579
West Virginia $2568
North Carolina $2499
Utah $2487
Mississippi $2461
North Dakota $2458
Alabama $2457
Arkansas $2444
South Dakota $2441
Puerto Rico $1526
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
352 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology352 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Although salaries appear to have increased over time
for the overall profession there is not a considerable differ-
ence between the average hourly wages of laboratory pro-
fessionals working as they accumulate more years of
experience in the field Table 13 For example the average
hourly wage for HTs for the first 5 years is $2277 It was
found that HTs received a pay raise after 6 to 10 years of
work experience earning an average of $2525 per hour
However it appears that there is a wage cap around $2800
per hour for HTs with more than 16 years of experience
$1635
$1607
$1575
$1565
$1506
$1498
$1488
$1483
$1413
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600 $1650
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Overall Hourly Wage for PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 23 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) phlebotomist (PBT) respondents by facility
$1584
$1557
$1548
$1476
$1468
$1466
$1465
$1450
$1426
$1375
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonp t
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 22 Average hourly wage of staff phlebotomists (PBTs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 353DOI 101093ajcpaqw220353Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
For MLTsCLTs the average hourly wage is $1889 for the
first 5 years of experience While MLTsCLTs tended to re-
ceive an increased hourly wage for every 5 years of work
experience those working for 36 to 40 years only earn
$718 per hour more than those with 0 to 5 years of experi-
ence On average PBTs earn $1361 per hour for 0 to 5
years of experience with an average of approximately
$100 for every 5 years of experience The survey has also
revealed a potential wage cap around $1800 per hour for
PBTs with more than 20 years of experience
This year we also looked at the average wage of labo-
ratory professionals based on age and found that salaries
continue to increase considerably for every age range except
LAs and PBTs Table 14 MLSsMTsCLSs aged 55 years
and older experience a wage cap at $3282
In addition to analyzing wages this survey also asked
questions to gain an in-depth perspective on the laboratory
workforce The US Department of Laborrsquos Bureau of Labor
Statistics reported that the job outlook for medical and
clinical laboratory technologists and technicians between
2014 and 2024 is expected to grow 16 which is faster
than the average rate1 Figure 8 suggests strategic focus on
recruitment and supports the results of the ASCP 2014
Vacancy Survey (httpajcpascpjournalsorgcontent
1443432fullpdf) on filling the upcoming vacancies
Results show that laboratory professionals are aging and
therefore the field needs to fill the vacancies with
qualified laboratory professionals There is also a need for
recruiting younger laboratory professionals because ac-
cording to the survey results the youngest group are the
PAs with an average age of 3947 years Recruitment
Table 9Average Annual Salaries for Phlebotomists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Phlebotomist Hourly Wage
Washington $1839
Massachusetts $1819
Minnesota $1807
Oregon $1778
Maryland $1720
New York $1639
Virginia $1628
Wisconsin $1610
Montana $1607
Pennsylvania $1586
Illinois $1570
Colorado $1523
Texas $1505
North Carolina $1449
South Carolina $1444
Florida $1428
Indiana $1406
Ohio $1404
Georgia $1377
Missouri $1361
Tennessee $1332
Michigan $1325
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Table 10Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Staff
Between 2013 and 2015a
Staff 2015 2013 Change
CG $3110 $2863 86
CT $3239 $3145 30
MLSMTCLS $2790 $2713 28
LA $1645 $1603 26
MLTCLT $2089 $2049 20
HT $2441 $2396 19
MB $2745 $2696 18
SBB $2851 $2807 15
HTL $2682 $2663 07
PBT $1497 $1560 40
PA $4330 $4632 65
PI or QA $3837 NA NA
LIS $3361 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 11Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Leads
Between 2013 and 2015a
Lead 2015 2013 Change
CG $3551 $3222 1022
HTL $3051 $2876 607
MLTCLT $2355 $2238 522
HT $2801 $2681 448
MLSMTCLS $3154 $3081 236
PBT $1696 $1671 149
CT $3474 $3520 130
SBB $3105 $3211 331
LA $1782 NA NA
MB $3465 NA NA
PA $4781 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 12Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for
Supervisors Between 2013 and 2015a
Supervisor 2015 2013 Change
MLTCLT $2533 $2260 1210
PA $5158 $4874 583
MLSMTCLS $3343 $3282 187
SBB $3443 $3444 ndash004
CT $3695 $3709 ndash038
HTL $3191 $3241 ndash155
HT $3073 $3129 ndash180
CG $3863 $3995 ndash332
MB $3866 NA NA
PBT $2108 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
354 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology354 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
should focus on the following occupational titles CT
HTL MLSMTCLS PI or QA SBB administration and
LIS as their average ages are higher compared with the
national average (Figure 8)
In addition to recruitment retention warrants the same
focus According to Rex Famitangco2 chair of the ASCP
Council of Laboratory Professionals (CLP) ldquoStriving to re-
tain quality staff is a vital part of maintaining a laboratoryrsquos
Table 13Total Years of Experience at Current Occupational Title by Average Hourly Wagea
Time in Current Title y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PA PBT
0-5 $2620 $2833 $2277 $2469 $1516 $1889 $2527 $2621 $4300 $1361
6-10 $3007 $3093 $2525 $2772 $1700 $2089 $2798 $2991 $4489 $1469
11-15 $3304 $3215 $2657 $2952 $1745 $2209 $2979 NA $4693 $1662
16-20 $3593 $3579 $2871 NA NA $2366 $3050 NA NA $1725
21-25 $3718 $3681 $2883 NA NA $2412 $3155 NA NA $1827
26-30 $3835 $3834 $2825 $3279 NA $2512 $3257 NA NA $1810
31-35 NA $3580 NA NA NA $2588 $3308 NA NA NA
36-40 NA $3585 NA NA NA $2607 $3316 NA NA NA
41thorn NA NA NA NA NA $3281 $3281 NA NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PI or QA staff were not included due to its small sample size
Table 14Age by Average Hourly Wagea
Age y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PBT
18-24 NA NA NA NA NA $1760 $2270 NA $1316
25-34 $2823 $2881 $2330 $2446 $1677 $1945 $2545 $2591 $1439
35-44 $3203 $3236 $2575 $2867 $1700 $2085 $2861 $3033 $1508
45-54 $3631 $3449 $2720 $2890 $1704 $2296 $3120 NA $1609
55-64 NA $3703 $2751 $3206 $1794 $2465 $3282 NA $1737
65-74 NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
75thorn NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PAs were not included due to its small sample size
Table 15Percent of Responses per BenefitPerk Offered by Institution
Perks Offered by Institution Total of Responses per Category
Medicalvision benefits 8818
Dental benefits 8469
Pensionretirement benefits 6704
Free or convenient employee parking 6688
Premium pay for overtime holidays and weekends 5947
Paying for continuing education 3957
Paying for tuition 3885
Flexible work hours 2497
Miscellaneous bonuses (eg tied to work company performance etc) 2485
Bonuses not directly tied to work (including holidays and profit-sharing bonuses) 2299
On-call pay 1961
Paying for certifications or qualifications 1720
Monetary bonus (eg sign-on bonus referral bonus miscellaneous bonuses) 1684
Transportation allowances 1174
Paying for professional memberships 1035
Daycare 780
Uniform allowances 700
Laptop or tablet 682
Providing a company phone for you 546
Free or subsidized room and board 086
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 355DOI 101093ajcpaqw220355Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
functionalityrdquo Employee development such as training
continuing education and mentoring can prove beneficial in
retaining staff2 Survey respondents were asked about the
benefits and perks they receive from their institution
and medicaldentalvision pensionretirement overtime
holidayweekends and employee parking were the top
fringe benefits they receive Paying for continuing educa-
tion certifications professional memberships and day care
were among the benefits that are not provided to many labo-
ratory professionals Table 15
Last this survey asked the respondents to provide com-
ments after the completion of the survey We received a total
of 2230 comments and found that 2762 addressed being un-
derpaidunderappreciated 2166 of them addressed the need
for increased wages andraises 1493 provided suggestions
for future surveys 3018 expressed appreciation for the
opportunity this survey provides in giving the laboratory pro-
fessionals a platform to encourage advocacy and 561 were
categorized as ldquoOtherrdquo Institutions are encouraged to take into
consideration laboratory professionalsrsquo compensation and base
their pay on level of education training years of experience
and cost of living as well as making their pay comparable to
other allied health professionals with higher salaries
Corresponding author Edna Garcia MPH 1225 New York Ave
NW Ste 350 Washington DC 20009 ednagarciaascporg
Contributors Carter Ainsworth ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Andrea Bennett MPH
MT (ASCP) ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp Policy
Washington DC Matthew Schulze ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Patricia Tanabe MPA
MLS (ASCP)CM ASCP Board of Certification Chicago IL and
Elizabeth Waibel MPH ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp
Policy Washington DC
Reviewers Mark Bailey MA HTL (ASCP)CM The University
of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Alexandra
Brown MD FASCP ASCP Institute of Science Technology and
Policy Washington DC Lynnette G Chakkaphak MS MT
(ASCP) St Vincentrsquos HealthCare Jacksonville FL Vicki S
Freeman PhD MASCP MLS (ASCP)CM SCCM FACB The
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Jack A Hager
MT (ASCP) SBB Oregon Health and Science University
Portland Rex F Famitangco MS MLS (ASCP)CM QLC MT
(AMT) CLC AHI Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff Carlo Joseph Ledesma MT (ASCP) Rose State
College Midwest City OK and Babatunde Oloyede PhD MLS
(ASCP) Federal Medical Center Durham NC
References
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbookhttpwwwblsgovoohhealthcaremedical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicianshtm Accessed July 182016
2 Famitangco R Investing in employees investing in the futureCrit Values 2016910-12
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
356 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology356 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
laboratory facilities surveyed are comparable except for
nonacademic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds which provide
staff HTs with the highest hourly wage of $2533 Academic
hospitals with more than 500 beds and referenceindepen-
dent laboratories pay $2533 and $2522 respectively
Academic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds and 100 to 299
beds both pay an average hourly wage of $2414 Clinic-
based histology laboratories pay $2484 an hour and nonaca-
demic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds pay the least at
$2411 The average age of staff HTs is 4211 years
Lead-level HTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of
$2801 ($623) The average age of lead HTs is 4601 years
HT supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3073
($664) and HT managers are paid $4211 ($1355
Figure 7) The average annual wages of HTs by job level are
listed in Table 2 Supervisors and managers are aged 4749
years and 4860 years on average respectively
Overall all HT respondents are paid the highest in
nonacademic hospitals with over 500 beds at $3385 per
hour and least in private industries at $2482 Figure 11
The average age for all HT respondents is 4398 years simi-
lar to the national average (Figure 8)
Anatomic pathology departments pay HTs an average
hourly wage of $2590 while histology departments pay
$2566 Geographically HTs regardless of position level
are paid a significantly higher wage in California and the
lowest in New York Table 5 According to the survey re-
sults HTs have an average of 1424 years of total experi-
ence in the laboratory field and have been in their current
position for 935 years (Figures 9 and 10)
The overall sample sizes (lt30) for occupational levels
were too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay rates
by all facilities and states surveyed Therefore we report data
from only certain facilities For the same reason analysis of
the average age by state for HTs was not performed
Histotechnologists
The mean (SD) hourly wage for staff HTLs is $2682
($623 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff are highest at academic
hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $2807 Academic
1210
1123
1038995
952 935 913887 872 859
824794
754
692
556
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14A
vera
ge Y
ears
Occupational Title
Figure 10 Average years of working in current occupational title For definitions of abbreviations see Table 1
Table 4Average Annual Salaries for Cytotechnologists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Cytotechnologist Hourly Wage
California $4584
Minnesota $3425
Texas $3416
Florida $3333
Pennsylvania $3096
Ohio $3044
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
342 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology342 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
hospitals with over 500 beds pay $2782 and referencein-
dependent laboratories pay $2688 Staff HTLs have an av-
erage age of 4275 years
Lead-level HTLs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of
$3051 ($640) The average age of lead HTs is 4486 years
Supervisor HTLs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3191 ($630 Figure 7) The average age for supervisors is
4818 years Manager HTLs earn a mean (SD) hourly wage
of $4019 ($1346 Figure 7) The average annual wages of
HTLs by job level are listed in Table 2 Survey results indi-
cate that the average age for managers is 4977 years
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities for
leads supervisors managers and directors was not performed
due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level Regardless
of level academic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds and over
500 beds show the highest hourly pay rate at $2963 and
$2943 respectively HTLs earn an average hourly rate of
$2817 at referenceindependent laboratories $2817 at pri-
vate industries and $2705 at pathologistclinical scientist lab-
oratories The average age for all HTL respondents is 4518
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
By department most HTL respondents are found in an-
atomic pathology and histology They are paid average
hourly wages of $2941 and $2774 respectively The high-
est paying state for all HTL levels is California and the low-
est paying state is Michigan Table 6 Overall HTLs have
an average of 1543 years of total experience in the labora-
tory field and have been working in their current occupa-
tional title for an average of 913 years (Figures 9 and 10)
The overall sample sizes (lt30) for the occupational levels
were too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay rates
by all facilities and states surveyed For the same reason anal-
ysis of the average age by state for HTLs was not performed
Laboratory Assistants
On average LA staff members make a mean (SD)
hourly wage of $1645 ($378 Figure 7) Outpatient clinic
laboratories pay the most for staff LAs at $1750 per hour
Academic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds pay the highest at
$3385
$2855
$2655
$2623
$2579
$2545
$2538
$2537
$2503
$2492
$2482
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Physic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
al PathologistClinic scientist laboratory
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Clinic-based histology laboratory
Hospital 300-499 beds
Hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Average Hourly Wage for All HT Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 11 Average hourly wage of all histotechnician (HT) respondents by facility
Table 5Average Annual Salaries for Histotechnicians by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Histotechnician Hourly Wage
California $3081
Arizona $2679
Georgia $2675
Texas $2643
Pennsylvania $2512
Illinois $2481
Tennessee $2462
Florida $2443
Minnesota $2438
Wisconsin $2418
Michigan $2347
North Carolina $2339
Ohio $2301
New York $2247
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 343DOI 101093ajcpaqw220343Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
$1641 per hour and academic hospitals with 300 to 499
beds pay the lowest at $1575 per hour Results of the wage
difference between the other laboratory facilities for staff
LAs do not allow for statistically significant comparisons
Results indicate they have an average age of 4096 years
LA leads earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $1782 ($381
Figure 7) The average annual wages of LAs by job level are
listed in Table 2 On average leads are 4144 years old
Overall all LA respondents are paid the highest in out-
patient clinic laboratories at $1789 per hour and the least in
academic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds at $1690 and aca-
demic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $1661 The average
age for all LA respondents is 4107 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8)
LA respondents are mostly found in the following de-
partments with the corresponding average hourly pay all
multiple departments $1759 phlebotomy $1668 and
specimen processing $1637 Results show that LAs have
an average of 1126 years of total experience working in the
field and have worked in their current position for an aver-
age of 754 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Results of the wage difference between laboratory fa-
cilities and states for LA leads managers and supervisors
do not allow for statistically significant comparisons For
the same reason analysis of the average age by state for
LAs was not performed
Medical Laboratory TechniciansClinical Laboratory
Technicians
The national mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level
MLTsCLTs is $2089 ($454 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff
are highest in government facilities at $2185 per hour and
lowest at academic hospitals with less than 100 beds at
$1989 per hour Figure 12 The average age of staff MLTs
CLTs is 4012 years By state Indiana has the oldest staff at
4381 years with the youngest in Alabama at 3675 years
Figure 13 The overall sample size (lt30) for this occupa-
tional level was too small for meaningful statistical analysis
of pay rates by all facilities surveyed
Lead MLTsCLTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$2355 ($531 Figure 7) Results indicate they have an aver-
age age of 4339 years The mean (SD) hourly wage for
MLTCLT supervisors is $2533 ($650 Figure 7) The av-
erage age for this group is 4523 years MLTCLT managers
earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3175 ($647 Figure 7)
The average annual wages of MLTsCLT by job level are
listed in Table 2 The age of managers averages 4800 years
Community-based facilities show the highest hourly pay
rate at $2239 and academic hospitals with fewer than 100
beds show the lowest at $2030 for all MLTCLTs Figure 14
$2185
$2119
$2118
$2117
$2115
$2114
$2102
$2084
$2076
$2074
$2035
$1990
$1989
$1850 $1900 $1950 $2000 $2050 $2100 $2150 $2200
Government
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos office laboratory
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Public health laboratory
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff MLTCLT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 12 Average hourly wage of staff medical laboratory techniciansclinical laboratory technicians (MLTsCLTs) by facility
Table 6Average Annual Salaries for Histotechnologists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Histotechnologist Hourly Wage
California $3570
New York $3208
Florida $2833
Pennsylvania $2695
Texas $2615
North Carolina $2610
Illinois $2527
Michigan $2282
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
344 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology344 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
438
1
430
0
428
8
425
1
424
9
424
7
415
5
408
4
404
1
403
5
397
4
395
7
394
9
391
9
391
3
387
8
386
4
384
6
383
5
383
2
378
8
375
6
367
5
32
34
36
38
40
42
44
46A
ve
rag
e A
ge
(y)
States
Figure 13 Average ages for staff medical laboratory techniciansclinical laboratory technicians (MLTsCLSs) by state Sample
size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons
$2239
$2186
$2178
$2155
$2151
$2150
$2133
$2130
$2114
$2112
$2099
$2049
$2030
$1900 $1950 $2000 $2050 $2100 $2150 $2200 $2250
Community-based
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonp t
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for all MLTCLT Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 14 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory technicianclinical laboratory technician (MLTCLT) respondents by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 345DOI 101093ajcpaqw220345Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
The average age for all MLTCLT respondents is 4101 years
younger than the national average (Figure 8)
According to survey results the blood bank department
paid MLTsCLTs the highest at an average of $2328 per hour
and allmultiple departments the lowest at $2064 per hour
Figure 15 Geographically MLTsCLTs regardless of posi-
tion level are paid significantly higher wages in California
and lowest in Alabama Table 7 Overall MLTsCLTs have
an average of 1214 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and have been working in their current title for 887
years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities de-
partment and states for leads supervisors managers and
directors was not performed due to the small sample size
(lt30) of each level For the same reason average age by
state was not analyzed
Medical Laboratory ScientistsMedical Technologists
Clinical Laboratory Scientists
Staff-level MLSsMTsCLSs are paid a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $2790 ($678 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff
are highest at government facilities at $2990 per hour
and lowest at physiciansrsquo office laboratories (POLs) at
$2502 per hour Figure 16 The mean age for staff MLSs
MTsCLSs is 4196 years Geographically MLTsCLTs
are the oldest in New Hampshire and the youngest in South
Dakota Figure 17
$2328 $2308
$2260
$2149 $2133 $2129 $2119
$2064
$1900
$1950
$2000
$2050
$2100
$2150
$2200
$2250
$2300
$2350
Ave
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Departments
Figure 15 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) medical laboratory technicianclinical labora-
tory technician (MLTCLT) respondents by department
Table 7Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Technicians
Clinical Laboratory Technicians by State From Highest to
Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory Technician
Clinical Laboratory Technician Hourly Wage
California $2927
Massachusetts $2526
Washington $2460
New York $2449
Maryland $2428
Arizona $2367
Colorado $2305
Minnesota $2265
Pennsylvania $2239
Nebraska $2193
Virginia $2188
Wisconsin $2156
Indiana $2120
Illinois $2120
Ohio $2101
Georgia $2076
Iowa $2074
Texas $2060
Michigan $2055
Kentucky $2041
Tennessee $2020
Missouri $2014
Kansas $1996
North Carolina $1857
Mississippi $1808
South Carolina $1787
Alabama $1775
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
346 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology346 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
MLSMTCLS leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3154 ($735 Figure 7) Academic hospitals with 300 to
499 beds pay a significantly high hourly rate for lead MLSs
MTsCLSs compared with all facilities surveyed at $3335
The facility providing the lowest pay is the POL at $2771 per
hour Figure 18 They have an average age of 4597 years
MLSMTCLS supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly
rate of $3343 ($900 Figure 7) Results indicate that refer-
enceindependent laboratories pay the highest hourly wage
at $3622 whereas POLs pay $2871 per hour Figure 19
This group has an average age of 4834 years
The mean (SD) hourly wage for MLSMTCLS managers
is $3313 ($952 Figure 7) Pay rates for managers are highest
at referenceindependent laboratories at $4463 per hour fol-
lowed by academic hospitals with over 500 beds at $4242
nonacademic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $4130 nonac-
ademic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds at $4041 POLs at
$3653 and academic hospitals with fewer than 100 beds
at $3125 per hour Results indicate that managers have an
average age of 5017 years
MLSMTCLS directors earn a mean (SD) hourly wage
of $3799 ($1519 Figure 7) The average annual wages of
MLSsMTsCLSs by job level are listed in Table 2
Directors have an average age of 5186 years
MLSMTCLS respondents regardless of level are
paid the lowest in blood centers at $2623 per hour and
highest in government facilities at $3279 per hour
Figure 20 The average age for all MLSMTCLS re-
spondents is 4436 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8)
Survey results indicate that the LIS-QA-PI department
pays the highest at $3516 and the generalists department
pays the lowest at $2791 on average per hour Figure 21
The top 10 highest-paying states for all MLSMTCLS
levels are California Nevada Oregon Massachusetts
Connecticut Washington New York Arizona Minnesota
and Colorado Table 8 According to survey results MLSs
MTsCLSs have an average of 1596 years of total experience
in the laboratory field and have been working in their current
occupational title for 1038 years (Figures 9 and 10)
$2990
$2870
$2861
$2848
$2834
$2821
$2816
$2807
$2790
$2784
$2779
$2776
$2752
$2697
$2656
$2635
$2579
$2502
$22 $23 $24 $25 $26 $27 $28 $29 $30
Government
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Private industry
Reference
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Military VA VHA
Nonp t
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Blood center
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Staff MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 16 Average hourly wage of staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 347DOI 101093ajcpaqw220347Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
The overall sample size (lt30) for all occupational lev-
els was too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay
rates by all facilities and departments surveyed For the
same reason average age by state for leads supervisors and
directors was not analyzed
Molecular Biologists
The mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level MBs is
$2745 ($828 Figure 7) According to survey results staff
MBs have an average age of 3841 years
Lead-level MBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3465
($844 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4341 years
MB supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3866 ($1233
Figure 7) The average annual wages of MBs by job level are
listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervisors have an aver-
age age of 4216 years and managers of 3896 years
Most of the MB respondents are found in the molecular
pathology (pathgen) department and are paid an average
hourly wage of $2963 The average age for all MB respon-
dents is 4004 years which is younger than the national av-
erage (Figure 8) According to survey results MBs have
849 total years of experience working in the laboratory
field and an average of 556 years working in their current
occupational title the least number of years of experience
and working in their current title among all the groups sur-
veyed (Figures 9 and 10)
Results regarding the wage differences between
laboratory facilities and states for MBs do not allow for
480
5
467
9
463
9
455
2
454
7
454
0
452
3
450
6
449
8
447
6
443
6
438
9
436
3
436
1
435
0
434
2
431
0
426
8
425
6
424
3
422
8
422
0
420
8
418
8
418
4
417
2
415
7
411
7
408
8
407
0
402
1
401
3
401
2
397
2
396
2
390
6
387
2
377
1
371
2
369
7
360
0
359
3
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50A
ve
rag
e A
ge
(y)
States
Figure 17 Average ages for staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists (MLSsMTs
CLSs) by state Sample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
348 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology348 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
statistically significant comparisons because respondents
in the survey had a small sample size For the same
reason average ages by state of each level were not
analyzed
Pathologistsrsquo Assistants
The mean (SD) national hourly wage for staff-level
PAs is $4330 ($1291 Figure 7) The mean age for staff
PAs is 3783 years
$3335
$3314
$3301
$3282
$3229
$3205
$3197
$3197
$3130
$3035
$3018
$2937
$2914
$2771
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Military VA VHA
No t
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Average Hourly Wage for Lead MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 18 Average hourly wage of lead medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
$3622
$3563
$3558
$3473
$3456
$3354
$3152
$2871
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35 $40
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Supervisor MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 19 Average hourly wage of supervisor medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 349DOI 101093ajcpaqw220349Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Lead PAs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $4781
($827 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4226 years The
mean (SD) hourly wage for PA supervisors is $5158
($1088 Figure 7) The average annual wages of PAs by
job level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervi-
sors have an average age of 4107 years and managers of
4706 years
PA respondents were mostly found in the anatomic pa-
thology departments which pays them an average salary of
$4312 per hour According to survey results PAs are the
youngest laboratory professionals with an average age of
3947 years which is younger than the national average
(Figure 8) Overall PAs have an average of 1058 total years
of experience in the laboratory field and 794 years in their
current title (Figures 9 and 10)
We did not perform analysis of wage data by facility
and state for PAs because the results would provide statisti-
cally insignificant values due to the small sample size For
the same reason average ages by state of each level were
not analyzed
Performance Improvement or Quality Assurance
The mean (SD) hourly wage for PI or QA staff is
$3837 ($913 Figure 7) The average age of staff PI or QA
is 4902 years Manager-level PI or QA staff are paid a
mean (SD) hourly rate of $4225 ($1042 Figure 7) The av-
erage annual wages of PI or QA staff by job level are listed
in Table 2 The mean age for managers is 4674 years
The department where most PI or QA personnel were
found is the LIS-QA-PI This department pays an average
hourly wage of $3378 Results indicate that leads have an
average age of 4593 years supervisors 4877 years and di-
rectors 5670 years The average age for all PI or QA re-
spondents is 4864 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8) According to survey results PI or QA
staff have an average of 1291 years of total experience in
the laboratory field and 692 years working in their current
occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of overall mean hourly wage for leads supervi-
sors and directors as well as average hourly wages paid by
facilities and states for PI or QA staff was not performed due
$3279
$3064
$3002
$2998
$2981
$2929
$2922
$2918
$2908
$2906
$2904
$2878
$2855
$2804
$2801
$2785
$2783
$2775
$2769
$2640
$2623
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Government
Military VA VHA
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Reference
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonp t
Community-based
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Public health laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Private industry
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Blood center
Average Hourly Wage for All MLSMTCLS Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 20 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
350 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology350 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
to the small sample size (lt30) of each level For the same rea-
son average ages by state of each level were not analyzed
Phlebotomists
Staff PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1497
($342 Figure 7) Results indicate that academic hospitals
with over 500 beds pay the highest hourly wage at $1584
and that hospitals with fewer than 100 beds pay the lowest
hourly wage at $1375 Figure 22 The overall sample size
(lt30) for this occupational level was too small for meaning-
ful statistical analysis of pay rates by all institutions sur-
veyed The data indicate that the average age for staff PBTs
is 4179 years
Lead PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1696
($344 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4322 years PBT man-
agers earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $2108 ($701 Figure
7) The average annual wages of PBTs by job level are listed
in Table 2 This group has an average age of 4428 years
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities for
leads supervisors managers and directors was not per-
formed due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level
But overall academic hospitals with over 500 beds pay the
highest hourly wage at $1635 and academic hospitals with
less than 100 beds at $1413 for PBTs Figure 23
Geographically PBTs regardless of position level are paid
a significantly higher wage in Washington State and lowest
in Michigan Table 9
Most PBT respondents are found in the phlebotomy and
allmultiple departments They are paid an average hourly
wage of $1546 and $1527 respectively The average age
for all PBT respondents is 4212 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8) Overall PBTs have an
average of 1160 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and 824 years working in their current title (Figures 9
and 10)
Analysis of the average age for PBT managers and directors
was not performed due to the small sample size For the same
reason analysis of average age by state was not performed
Specialists in Blood Banking
Staff-level SBBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $2851
($946 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4558 years
SBB leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3105
($610 Figure 7) Data indicate that the average age for lead
SBBs is 4242 years SBB supervisors earn a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $3443 ($637 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4924
years The mean (SD) hourly wage for SBB managers is $4505
($996 Figure 7) The average annual wages of SBBs by job
level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that the average age
for managers is 4979 years while directors are at 5171 years
Most SBB respondents are found in the blood bank de-
partment which pays them an average hourly wage of
$3137 The average age for all SBB respondents is 4767
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
$3516
$3211 $3106 $3099 $3031 $3002 $3001 $2981 $2908 $2845 $2834 $2791
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40A
ve
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Figure 21 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by department
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 351DOI 101093ajcpaqw220351Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Results show that SBBs have an average of 1700 years of
total experience working in the field and have been working
in their current title for 872 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility and state as well as
average age by state for SBBs was not performed because
the results would provide statistically insignificant values
For the same reason average ages by state of each level
were not analyzed
Administration
The mean (SD) hourly wage for administration man-
agers is $4315 ($1101 Figure 7) The average age of man-
agers is 5157 years Administration directors earn a mean
(SD) hourly wage of $5910 ($2122 Figure 7) The average
annual wages of administrative personnel by job level are
listed in Table 2 Data indicate that the average age for di-
rectors is 5504 years
Administrative personnel are the oldest group of labora-
tory professionals with an overall average age of 5362
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
Overall administrative personnel have an average of 1606
total years of experience in the laboratory field and 952
years in their current occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was not performed
Laboratory Information Systems
Staff-level LIS personnel are paid a mean (SD) hourly
wage of $3361 ($704 Figure 7) The mean age for LIS
staff is 4820 years
Leads have an average age of 5167 years supervisors
5263 years and managers 5067 years The average age for
all LIS respondents is 4973 years which is older than the
national average (Figure 8) According to survey results
LIS personnel have an average of 1470 years of total expe-
rience in the laboratory field and have been working in their
current title for 859 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was performed
Summary
Compared with the 2013 ASCP wage survey salaries are
up for all staff-level laboratory professionals except PBTs and
PAs who have a ndash40 and ndash650 change in annual hourly
wage respectively Table 10 The annual hourly wages for
leads were also up in 2015 except for CTs (ndash130) and
SBBs (ndash331) Table 11 Supervisorsrsquo annual hourly wages
however are down except for MLTsCLTs PAs and MLSs
MTsCLSs at 1210 583 and 187 respectively
Table 12 Manager- and director-level comparisons were not
conducted due to small sample size LAs and PBTs regardless
of level continue to have lower salaries while PAs and
administration personnel have higher salaries than the rest of
the laboratory professions surveyed
Table 8Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Scientists
Medical TechnologistsClinical Laboratory Scientists by State
From Highest to Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory ScientistMedical
TechnologistClinical Laboratory Scientist Hourly Wage
California $4620
Nevada $3494
Oregon $3324
Massachusetts $3262
Connecticut $3253
Washington $3190
New York $3087
Arizona $3082
Minnesota $3060
Colorado $3054
New Jersey $3020
New Hampshire $2999
Maryland $2933
Georgia $2881
Idaho $2814
Montana $2795
Kansas $2753
New Mexico $2737
Missouri $2735
South Carolina $2729
Pennsylvania $2728
Wisconsin $2725
Florida $2710
Kentucky $2697
Virginia $2697
Indiana $2694
Ohio $2687
Illinois $2683
Texas $2682
Nebraska $2679
Michigan $2615
Maine $2605
Tennessee $2597
Oklahoma $2589
Louisiana $2585
Iowa $2579
West Virginia $2568
North Carolina $2499
Utah $2487
Mississippi $2461
North Dakota $2458
Alabama $2457
Arkansas $2444
South Dakota $2441
Puerto Rico $1526
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
352 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology352 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Although salaries appear to have increased over time
for the overall profession there is not a considerable differ-
ence between the average hourly wages of laboratory pro-
fessionals working as they accumulate more years of
experience in the field Table 13 For example the average
hourly wage for HTs for the first 5 years is $2277 It was
found that HTs received a pay raise after 6 to 10 years of
work experience earning an average of $2525 per hour
However it appears that there is a wage cap around $2800
per hour for HTs with more than 16 years of experience
$1635
$1607
$1575
$1565
$1506
$1498
$1488
$1483
$1413
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600 $1650
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Overall Hourly Wage for PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 23 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) phlebotomist (PBT) respondents by facility
$1584
$1557
$1548
$1476
$1468
$1466
$1465
$1450
$1426
$1375
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonp t
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 22 Average hourly wage of staff phlebotomists (PBTs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 353DOI 101093ajcpaqw220353Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
For MLTsCLTs the average hourly wage is $1889 for the
first 5 years of experience While MLTsCLTs tended to re-
ceive an increased hourly wage for every 5 years of work
experience those working for 36 to 40 years only earn
$718 per hour more than those with 0 to 5 years of experi-
ence On average PBTs earn $1361 per hour for 0 to 5
years of experience with an average of approximately
$100 for every 5 years of experience The survey has also
revealed a potential wage cap around $1800 per hour for
PBTs with more than 20 years of experience
This year we also looked at the average wage of labo-
ratory professionals based on age and found that salaries
continue to increase considerably for every age range except
LAs and PBTs Table 14 MLSsMTsCLSs aged 55 years
and older experience a wage cap at $3282
In addition to analyzing wages this survey also asked
questions to gain an in-depth perspective on the laboratory
workforce The US Department of Laborrsquos Bureau of Labor
Statistics reported that the job outlook for medical and
clinical laboratory technologists and technicians between
2014 and 2024 is expected to grow 16 which is faster
than the average rate1 Figure 8 suggests strategic focus on
recruitment and supports the results of the ASCP 2014
Vacancy Survey (httpajcpascpjournalsorgcontent
1443432fullpdf) on filling the upcoming vacancies
Results show that laboratory professionals are aging and
therefore the field needs to fill the vacancies with
qualified laboratory professionals There is also a need for
recruiting younger laboratory professionals because ac-
cording to the survey results the youngest group are the
PAs with an average age of 3947 years Recruitment
Table 9Average Annual Salaries for Phlebotomists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Phlebotomist Hourly Wage
Washington $1839
Massachusetts $1819
Minnesota $1807
Oregon $1778
Maryland $1720
New York $1639
Virginia $1628
Wisconsin $1610
Montana $1607
Pennsylvania $1586
Illinois $1570
Colorado $1523
Texas $1505
North Carolina $1449
South Carolina $1444
Florida $1428
Indiana $1406
Ohio $1404
Georgia $1377
Missouri $1361
Tennessee $1332
Michigan $1325
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Table 10Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Staff
Between 2013 and 2015a
Staff 2015 2013 Change
CG $3110 $2863 86
CT $3239 $3145 30
MLSMTCLS $2790 $2713 28
LA $1645 $1603 26
MLTCLT $2089 $2049 20
HT $2441 $2396 19
MB $2745 $2696 18
SBB $2851 $2807 15
HTL $2682 $2663 07
PBT $1497 $1560 40
PA $4330 $4632 65
PI or QA $3837 NA NA
LIS $3361 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 11Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Leads
Between 2013 and 2015a
Lead 2015 2013 Change
CG $3551 $3222 1022
HTL $3051 $2876 607
MLTCLT $2355 $2238 522
HT $2801 $2681 448
MLSMTCLS $3154 $3081 236
PBT $1696 $1671 149
CT $3474 $3520 130
SBB $3105 $3211 331
LA $1782 NA NA
MB $3465 NA NA
PA $4781 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 12Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for
Supervisors Between 2013 and 2015a
Supervisor 2015 2013 Change
MLTCLT $2533 $2260 1210
PA $5158 $4874 583
MLSMTCLS $3343 $3282 187
SBB $3443 $3444 ndash004
CT $3695 $3709 ndash038
HTL $3191 $3241 ndash155
HT $3073 $3129 ndash180
CG $3863 $3995 ndash332
MB $3866 NA NA
PBT $2108 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
354 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology354 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
should focus on the following occupational titles CT
HTL MLSMTCLS PI or QA SBB administration and
LIS as their average ages are higher compared with the
national average (Figure 8)
In addition to recruitment retention warrants the same
focus According to Rex Famitangco2 chair of the ASCP
Council of Laboratory Professionals (CLP) ldquoStriving to re-
tain quality staff is a vital part of maintaining a laboratoryrsquos
Table 13Total Years of Experience at Current Occupational Title by Average Hourly Wagea
Time in Current Title y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PA PBT
0-5 $2620 $2833 $2277 $2469 $1516 $1889 $2527 $2621 $4300 $1361
6-10 $3007 $3093 $2525 $2772 $1700 $2089 $2798 $2991 $4489 $1469
11-15 $3304 $3215 $2657 $2952 $1745 $2209 $2979 NA $4693 $1662
16-20 $3593 $3579 $2871 NA NA $2366 $3050 NA NA $1725
21-25 $3718 $3681 $2883 NA NA $2412 $3155 NA NA $1827
26-30 $3835 $3834 $2825 $3279 NA $2512 $3257 NA NA $1810
31-35 NA $3580 NA NA NA $2588 $3308 NA NA NA
36-40 NA $3585 NA NA NA $2607 $3316 NA NA NA
41thorn NA NA NA NA NA $3281 $3281 NA NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PI or QA staff were not included due to its small sample size
Table 14Age by Average Hourly Wagea
Age y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PBT
18-24 NA NA NA NA NA $1760 $2270 NA $1316
25-34 $2823 $2881 $2330 $2446 $1677 $1945 $2545 $2591 $1439
35-44 $3203 $3236 $2575 $2867 $1700 $2085 $2861 $3033 $1508
45-54 $3631 $3449 $2720 $2890 $1704 $2296 $3120 NA $1609
55-64 NA $3703 $2751 $3206 $1794 $2465 $3282 NA $1737
65-74 NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
75thorn NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PAs were not included due to its small sample size
Table 15Percent of Responses per BenefitPerk Offered by Institution
Perks Offered by Institution Total of Responses per Category
Medicalvision benefits 8818
Dental benefits 8469
Pensionretirement benefits 6704
Free or convenient employee parking 6688
Premium pay for overtime holidays and weekends 5947
Paying for continuing education 3957
Paying for tuition 3885
Flexible work hours 2497
Miscellaneous bonuses (eg tied to work company performance etc) 2485
Bonuses not directly tied to work (including holidays and profit-sharing bonuses) 2299
On-call pay 1961
Paying for certifications or qualifications 1720
Monetary bonus (eg sign-on bonus referral bonus miscellaneous bonuses) 1684
Transportation allowances 1174
Paying for professional memberships 1035
Daycare 780
Uniform allowances 700
Laptop or tablet 682
Providing a company phone for you 546
Free or subsidized room and board 086
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 355DOI 101093ajcpaqw220355Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
functionalityrdquo Employee development such as training
continuing education and mentoring can prove beneficial in
retaining staff2 Survey respondents were asked about the
benefits and perks they receive from their institution
and medicaldentalvision pensionretirement overtime
holidayweekends and employee parking were the top
fringe benefits they receive Paying for continuing educa-
tion certifications professional memberships and day care
were among the benefits that are not provided to many labo-
ratory professionals Table 15
Last this survey asked the respondents to provide com-
ments after the completion of the survey We received a total
of 2230 comments and found that 2762 addressed being un-
derpaidunderappreciated 2166 of them addressed the need
for increased wages andraises 1493 provided suggestions
for future surveys 3018 expressed appreciation for the
opportunity this survey provides in giving the laboratory pro-
fessionals a platform to encourage advocacy and 561 were
categorized as ldquoOtherrdquo Institutions are encouraged to take into
consideration laboratory professionalsrsquo compensation and base
their pay on level of education training years of experience
and cost of living as well as making their pay comparable to
other allied health professionals with higher salaries
Corresponding author Edna Garcia MPH 1225 New York Ave
NW Ste 350 Washington DC 20009 ednagarciaascporg
Contributors Carter Ainsworth ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Andrea Bennett MPH
MT (ASCP) ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp Policy
Washington DC Matthew Schulze ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Patricia Tanabe MPA
MLS (ASCP)CM ASCP Board of Certification Chicago IL and
Elizabeth Waibel MPH ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp
Policy Washington DC
Reviewers Mark Bailey MA HTL (ASCP)CM The University
of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Alexandra
Brown MD FASCP ASCP Institute of Science Technology and
Policy Washington DC Lynnette G Chakkaphak MS MT
(ASCP) St Vincentrsquos HealthCare Jacksonville FL Vicki S
Freeman PhD MASCP MLS (ASCP)CM SCCM FACB The
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Jack A Hager
MT (ASCP) SBB Oregon Health and Science University
Portland Rex F Famitangco MS MLS (ASCP)CM QLC MT
(AMT) CLC AHI Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff Carlo Joseph Ledesma MT (ASCP) Rose State
College Midwest City OK and Babatunde Oloyede PhD MLS
(ASCP) Federal Medical Center Durham NC
References
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbookhttpwwwblsgovoohhealthcaremedical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicianshtm Accessed July 182016
2 Famitangco R Investing in employees investing in the futureCrit Values 2016910-12
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
356 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology356 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
hospitals with over 500 beds pay $2782 and referencein-
dependent laboratories pay $2688 Staff HTLs have an av-
erage age of 4275 years
Lead-level HTLs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of
$3051 ($640) The average age of lead HTs is 4486 years
Supervisor HTLs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3191 ($630 Figure 7) The average age for supervisors is
4818 years Manager HTLs earn a mean (SD) hourly wage
of $4019 ($1346 Figure 7) The average annual wages of
HTLs by job level are listed in Table 2 Survey results indi-
cate that the average age for managers is 4977 years
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities for
leads supervisors managers and directors was not performed
due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level Regardless
of level academic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds and over
500 beds show the highest hourly pay rate at $2963 and
$2943 respectively HTLs earn an average hourly rate of
$2817 at referenceindependent laboratories $2817 at pri-
vate industries and $2705 at pathologistclinical scientist lab-
oratories The average age for all HTL respondents is 4518
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
By department most HTL respondents are found in an-
atomic pathology and histology They are paid average
hourly wages of $2941 and $2774 respectively The high-
est paying state for all HTL levels is California and the low-
est paying state is Michigan Table 6 Overall HTLs have
an average of 1543 years of total experience in the labora-
tory field and have been working in their current occupa-
tional title for an average of 913 years (Figures 9 and 10)
The overall sample sizes (lt30) for the occupational levels
were too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay rates
by all facilities and states surveyed For the same reason anal-
ysis of the average age by state for HTLs was not performed
Laboratory Assistants
On average LA staff members make a mean (SD)
hourly wage of $1645 ($378 Figure 7) Outpatient clinic
laboratories pay the most for staff LAs at $1750 per hour
Academic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds pay the highest at
$3385
$2855
$2655
$2623
$2579
$2545
$2538
$2537
$2503
$2492
$2482
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Physic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
al PathologistClinic scientist laboratory
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Clinic-based histology laboratory
Hospital 300-499 beds
Hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Average Hourly Wage for All HT Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 11 Average hourly wage of all histotechnician (HT) respondents by facility
Table 5Average Annual Salaries for Histotechnicians by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Histotechnician Hourly Wage
California $3081
Arizona $2679
Georgia $2675
Texas $2643
Pennsylvania $2512
Illinois $2481
Tennessee $2462
Florida $2443
Minnesota $2438
Wisconsin $2418
Michigan $2347
North Carolina $2339
Ohio $2301
New York $2247
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 343DOI 101093ajcpaqw220343Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
$1641 per hour and academic hospitals with 300 to 499
beds pay the lowest at $1575 per hour Results of the wage
difference between the other laboratory facilities for staff
LAs do not allow for statistically significant comparisons
Results indicate they have an average age of 4096 years
LA leads earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $1782 ($381
Figure 7) The average annual wages of LAs by job level are
listed in Table 2 On average leads are 4144 years old
Overall all LA respondents are paid the highest in out-
patient clinic laboratories at $1789 per hour and the least in
academic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds at $1690 and aca-
demic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $1661 The average
age for all LA respondents is 4107 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8)
LA respondents are mostly found in the following de-
partments with the corresponding average hourly pay all
multiple departments $1759 phlebotomy $1668 and
specimen processing $1637 Results show that LAs have
an average of 1126 years of total experience working in the
field and have worked in their current position for an aver-
age of 754 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Results of the wage difference between laboratory fa-
cilities and states for LA leads managers and supervisors
do not allow for statistically significant comparisons For
the same reason analysis of the average age by state for
LAs was not performed
Medical Laboratory TechniciansClinical Laboratory
Technicians
The national mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level
MLTsCLTs is $2089 ($454 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff
are highest in government facilities at $2185 per hour and
lowest at academic hospitals with less than 100 beds at
$1989 per hour Figure 12 The average age of staff MLTs
CLTs is 4012 years By state Indiana has the oldest staff at
4381 years with the youngest in Alabama at 3675 years
Figure 13 The overall sample size (lt30) for this occupa-
tional level was too small for meaningful statistical analysis
of pay rates by all facilities surveyed
Lead MLTsCLTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$2355 ($531 Figure 7) Results indicate they have an aver-
age age of 4339 years The mean (SD) hourly wage for
MLTCLT supervisors is $2533 ($650 Figure 7) The av-
erage age for this group is 4523 years MLTCLT managers
earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3175 ($647 Figure 7)
The average annual wages of MLTsCLT by job level are
listed in Table 2 The age of managers averages 4800 years
Community-based facilities show the highest hourly pay
rate at $2239 and academic hospitals with fewer than 100
beds show the lowest at $2030 for all MLTCLTs Figure 14
$2185
$2119
$2118
$2117
$2115
$2114
$2102
$2084
$2076
$2074
$2035
$1990
$1989
$1850 $1900 $1950 $2000 $2050 $2100 $2150 $2200
Government
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos office laboratory
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Public health laboratory
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff MLTCLT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 12 Average hourly wage of staff medical laboratory techniciansclinical laboratory technicians (MLTsCLTs) by facility
Table 6Average Annual Salaries for Histotechnologists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Histotechnologist Hourly Wage
California $3570
New York $3208
Florida $2833
Pennsylvania $2695
Texas $2615
North Carolina $2610
Illinois $2527
Michigan $2282
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
344 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology344 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
438
1
430
0
428
8
425
1
424
9
424
7
415
5
408
4
404
1
403
5
397
4
395
7
394
9
391
9
391
3
387
8
386
4
384
6
383
5
383
2
378
8
375
6
367
5
32
34
36
38
40
42
44
46A
ve
rag
e A
ge
(y)
States
Figure 13 Average ages for staff medical laboratory techniciansclinical laboratory technicians (MLTsCLSs) by state Sample
size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons
$2239
$2186
$2178
$2155
$2151
$2150
$2133
$2130
$2114
$2112
$2099
$2049
$2030
$1900 $1950 $2000 $2050 $2100 $2150 $2200 $2250
Community-based
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonp t
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for all MLTCLT Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 14 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory technicianclinical laboratory technician (MLTCLT) respondents by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 345DOI 101093ajcpaqw220345Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
The average age for all MLTCLT respondents is 4101 years
younger than the national average (Figure 8)
According to survey results the blood bank department
paid MLTsCLTs the highest at an average of $2328 per hour
and allmultiple departments the lowest at $2064 per hour
Figure 15 Geographically MLTsCLTs regardless of posi-
tion level are paid significantly higher wages in California
and lowest in Alabama Table 7 Overall MLTsCLTs have
an average of 1214 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and have been working in their current title for 887
years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities de-
partment and states for leads supervisors managers and
directors was not performed due to the small sample size
(lt30) of each level For the same reason average age by
state was not analyzed
Medical Laboratory ScientistsMedical Technologists
Clinical Laboratory Scientists
Staff-level MLSsMTsCLSs are paid a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $2790 ($678 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff
are highest at government facilities at $2990 per hour
and lowest at physiciansrsquo office laboratories (POLs) at
$2502 per hour Figure 16 The mean age for staff MLSs
MTsCLSs is 4196 years Geographically MLTsCLTs
are the oldest in New Hampshire and the youngest in South
Dakota Figure 17
$2328 $2308
$2260
$2149 $2133 $2129 $2119
$2064
$1900
$1950
$2000
$2050
$2100
$2150
$2200
$2250
$2300
$2350
Ave
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Departments
Figure 15 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) medical laboratory technicianclinical labora-
tory technician (MLTCLT) respondents by department
Table 7Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Technicians
Clinical Laboratory Technicians by State From Highest to
Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory Technician
Clinical Laboratory Technician Hourly Wage
California $2927
Massachusetts $2526
Washington $2460
New York $2449
Maryland $2428
Arizona $2367
Colorado $2305
Minnesota $2265
Pennsylvania $2239
Nebraska $2193
Virginia $2188
Wisconsin $2156
Indiana $2120
Illinois $2120
Ohio $2101
Georgia $2076
Iowa $2074
Texas $2060
Michigan $2055
Kentucky $2041
Tennessee $2020
Missouri $2014
Kansas $1996
North Carolina $1857
Mississippi $1808
South Carolina $1787
Alabama $1775
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
346 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology346 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
MLSMTCLS leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3154 ($735 Figure 7) Academic hospitals with 300 to
499 beds pay a significantly high hourly rate for lead MLSs
MTsCLSs compared with all facilities surveyed at $3335
The facility providing the lowest pay is the POL at $2771 per
hour Figure 18 They have an average age of 4597 years
MLSMTCLS supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly
rate of $3343 ($900 Figure 7) Results indicate that refer-
enceindependent laboratories pay the highest hourly wage
at $3622 whereas POLs pay $2871 per hour Figure 19
This group has an average age of 4834 years
The mean (SD) hourly wage for MLSMTCLS managers
is $3313 ($952 Figure 7) Pay rates for managers are highest
at referenceindependent laboratories at $4463 per hour fol-
lowed by academic hospitals with over 500 beds at $4242
nonacademic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $4130 nonac-
ademic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds at $4041 POLs at
$3653 and academic hospitals with fewer than 100 beds
at $3125 per hour Results indicate that managers have an
average age of 5017 years
MLSMTCLS directors earn a mean (SD) hourly wage
of $3799 ($1519 Figure 7) The average annual wages of
MLSsMTsCLSs by job level are listed in Table 2
Directors have an average age of 5186 years
MLSMTCLS respondents regardless of level are
paid the lowest in blood centers at $2623 per hour and
highest in government facilities at $3279 per hour
Figure 20 The average age for all MLSMTCLS re-
spondents is 4436 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8)
Survey results indicate that the LIS-QA-PI department
pays the highest at $3516 and the generalists department
pays the lowest at $2791 on average per hour Figure 21
The top 10 highest-paying states for all MLSMTCLS
levels are California Nevada Oregon Massachusetts
Connecticut Washington New York Arizona Minnesota
and Colorado Table 8 According to survey results MLSs
MTsCLSs have an average of 1596 years of total experience
in the laboratory field and have been working in their current
occupational title for 1038 years (Figures 9 and 10)
$2990
$2870
$2861
$2848
$2834
$2821
$2816
$2807
$2790
$2784
$2779
$2776
$2752
$2697
$2656
$2635
$2579
$2502
$22 $23 $24 $25 $26 $27 $28 $29 $30
Government
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Private industry
Reference
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Military VA VHA
Nonp t
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Blood center
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Staff MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 16 Average hourly wage of staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 347DOI 101093ajcpaqw220347Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
The overall sample size (lt30) for all occupational lev-
els was too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay
rates by all facilities and departments surveyed For the
same reason average age by state for leads supervisors and
directors was not analyzed
Molecular Biologists
The mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level MBs is
$2745 ($828 Figure 7) According to survey results staff
MBs have an average age of 3841 years
Lead-level MBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3465
($844 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4341 years
MB supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3866 ($1233
Figure 7) The average annual wages of MBs by job level are
listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervisors have an aver-
age age of 4216 years and managers of 3896 years
Most of the MB respondents are found in the molecular
pathology (pathgen) department and are paid an average
hourly wage of $2963 The average age for all MB respon-
dents is 4004 years which is younger than the national av-
erage (Figure 8) According to survey results MBs have
849 total years of experience working in the laboratory
field and an average of 556 years working in their current
occupational title the least number of years of experience
and working in their current title among all the groups sur-
veyed (Figures 9 and 10)
Results regarding the wage differences between
laboratory facilities and states for MBs do not allow for
480
5
467
9
463
9
455
2
454
7
454
0
452
3
450
6
449
8
447
6
443
6
438
9
436
3
436
1
435
0
434
2
431
0
426
8
425
6
424
3
422
8
422
0
420
8
418
8
418
4
417
2
415
7
411
7
408
8
407
0
402
1
401
3
401
2
397
2
396
2
390
6
387
2
377
1
371
2
369
7
360
0
359
3
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50A
ve
rag
e A
ge
(y)
States
Figure 17 Average ages for staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists (MLSsMTs
CLSs) by state Sample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
348 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology348 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
statistically significant comparisons because respondents
in the survey had a small sample size For the same
reason average ages by state of each level were not
analyzed
Pathologistsrsquo Assistants
The mean (SD) national hourly wage for staff-level
PAs is $4330 ($1291 Figure 7) The mean age for staff
PAs is 3783 years
$3335
$3314
$3301
$3282
$3229
$3205
$3197
$3197
$3130
$3035
$3018
$2937
$2914
$2771
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Military VA VHA
No t
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Average Hourly Wage for Lead MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 18 Average hourly wage of lead medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
$3622
$3563
$3558
$3473
$3456
$3354
$3152
$2871
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35 $40
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Supervisor MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 19 Average hourly wage of supervisor medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 349DOI 101093ajcpaqw220349Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Lead PAs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $4781
($827 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4226 years The
mean (SD) hourly wage for PA supervisors is $5158
($1088 Figure 7) The average annual wages of PAs by
job level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervi-
sors have an average age of 4107 years and managers of
4706 years
PA respondents were mostly found in the anatomic pa-
thology departments which pays them an average salary of
$4312 per hour According to survey results PAs are the
youngest laboratory professionals with an average age of
3947 years which is younger than the national average
(Figure 8) Overall PAs have an average of 1058 total years
of experience in the laboratory field and 794 years in their
current title (Figures 9 and 10)
We did not perform analysis of wage data by facility
and state for PAs because the results would provide statisti-
cally insignificant values due to the small sample size For
the same reason average ages by state of each level were
not analyzed
Performance Improvement or Quality Assurance
The mean (SD) hourly wage for PI or QA staff is
$3837 ($913 Figure 7) The average age of staff PI or QA
is 4902 years Manager-level PI or QA staff are paid a
mean (SD) hourly rate of $4225 ($1042 Figure 7) The av-
erage annual wages of PI or QA staff by job level are listed
in Table 2 The mean age for managers is 4674 years
The department where most PI or QA personnel were
found is the LIS-QA-PI This department pays an average
hourly wage of $3378 Results indicate that leads have an
average age of 4593 years supervisors 4877 years and di-
rectors 5670 years The average age for all PI or QA re-
spondents is 4864 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8) According to survey results PI or QA
staff have an average of 1291 years of total experience in
the laboratory field and 692 years working in their current
occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of overall mean hourly wage for leads supervi-
sors and directors as well as average hourly wages paid by
facilities and states for PI or QA staff was not performed due
$3279
$3064
$3002
$2998
$2981
$2929
$2922
$2918
$2908
$2906
$2904
$2878
$2855
$2804
$2801
$2785
$2783
$2775
$2769
$2640
$2623
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Government
Military VA VHA
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Reference
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonp t
Community-based
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Public health laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Private industry
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Blood center
Average Hourly Wage for All MLSMTCLS Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 20 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
350 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology350 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
to the small sample size (lt30) of each level For the same rea-
son average ages by state of each level were not analyzed
Phlebotomists
Staff PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1497
($342 Figure 7) Results indicate that academic hospitals
with over 500 beds pay the highest hourly wage at $1584
and that hospitals with fewer than 100 beds pay the lowest
hourly wage at $1375 Figure 22 The overall sample size
(lt30) for this occupational level was too small for meaning-
ful statistical analysis of pay rates by all institutions sur-
veyed The data indicate that the average age for staff PBTs
is 4179 years
Lead PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1696
($344 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4322 years PBT man-
agers earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $2108 ($701 Figure
7) The average annual wages of PBTs by job level are listed
in Table 2 This group has an average age of 4428 years
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities for
leads supervisors managers and directors was not per-
formed due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level
But overall academic hospitals with over 500 beds pay the
highest hourly wage at $1635 and academic hospitals with
less than 100 beds at $1413 for PBTs Figure 23
Geographically PBTs regardless of position level are paid
a significantly higher wage in Washington State and lowest
in Michigan Table 9
Most PBT respondents are found in the phlebotomy and
allmultiple departments They are paid an average hourly
wage of $1546 and $1527 respectively The average age
for all PBT respondents is 4212 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8) Overall PBTs have an
average of 1160 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and 824 years working in their current title (Figures 9
and 10)
Analysis of the average age for PBT managers and directors
was not performed due to the small sample size For the same
reason analysis of average age by state was not performed
Specialists in Blood Banking
Staff-level SBBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $2851
($946 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4558 years
SBB leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3105
($610 Figure 7) Data indicate that the average age for lead
SBBs is 4242 years SBB supervisors earn a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $3443 ($637 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4924
years The mean (SD) hourly wage for SBB managers is $4505
($996 Figure 7) The average annual wages of SBBs by job
level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that the average age
for managers is 4979 years while directors are at 5171 years
Most SBB respondents are found in the blood bank de-
partment which pays them an average hourly wage of
$3137 The average age for all SBB respondents is 4767
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
$3516
$3211 $3106 $3099 $3031 $3002 $3001 $2981 $2908 $2845 $2834 $2791
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40A
ve
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Figure 21 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by department
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 351DOI 101093ajcpaqw220351Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Results show that SBBs have an average of 1700 years of
total experience working in the field and have been working
in their current title for 872 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility and state as well as
average age by state for SBBs was not performed because
the results would provide statistically insignificant values
For the same reason average ages by state of each level
were not analyzed
Administration
The mean (SD) hourly wage for administration man-
agers is $4315 ($1101 Figure 7) The average age of man-
agers is 5157 years Administration directors earn a mean
(SD) hourly wage of $5910 ($2122 Figure 7) The average
annual wages of administrative personnel by job level are
listed in Table 2 Data indicate that the average age for di-
rectors is 5504 years
Administrative personnel are the oldest group of labora-
tory professionals with an overall average age of 5362
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
Overall administrative personnel have an average of 1606
total years of experience in the laboratory field and 952
years in their current occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was not performed
Laboratory Information Systems
Staff-level LIS personnel are paid a mean (SD) hourly
wage of $3361 ($704 Figure 7) The mean age for LIS
staff is 4820 years
Leads have an average age of 5167 years supervisors
5263 years and managers 5067 years The average age for
all LIS respondents is 4973 years which is older than the
national average (Figure 8) According to survey results
LIS personnel have an average of 1470 years of total expe-
rience in the laboratory field and have been working in their
current title for 859 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was performed
Summary
Compared with the 2013 ASCP wage survey salaries are
up for all staff-level laboratory professionals except PBTs and
PAs who have a ndash40 and ndash650 change in annual hourly
wage respectively Table 10 The annual hourly wages for
leads were also up in 2015 except for CTs (ndash130) and
SBBs (ndash331) Table 11 Supervisorsrsquo annual hourly wages
however are down except for MLTsCLTs PAs and MLSs
MTsCLSs at 1210 583 and 187 respectively
Table 12 Manager- and director-level comparisons were not
conducted due to small sample size LAs and PBTs regardless
of level continue to have lower salaries while PAs and
administration personnel have higher salaries than the rest of
the laboratory professions surveyed
Table 8Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Scientists
Medical TechnologistsClinical Laboratory Scientists by State
From Highest to Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory ScientistMedical
TechnologistClinical Laboratory Scientist Hourly Wage
California $4620
Nevada $3494
Oregon $3324
Massachusetts $3262
Connecticut $3253
Washington $3190
New York $3087
Arizona $3082
Minnesota $3060
Colorado $3054
New Jersey $3020
New Hampshire $2999
Maryland $2933
Georgia $2881
Idaho $2814
Montana $2795
Kansas $2753
New Mexico $2737
Missouri $2735
South Carolina $2729
Pennsylvania $2728
Wisconsin $2725
Florida $2710
Kentucky $2697
Virginia $2697
Indiana $2694
Ohio $2687
Illinois $2683
Texas $2682
Nebraska $2679
Michigan $2615
Maine $2605
Tennessee $2597
Oklahoma $2589
Louisiana $2585
Iowa $2579
West Virginia $2568
North Carolina $2499
Utah $2487
Mississippi $2461
North Dakota $2458
Alabama $2457
Arkansas $2444
South Dakota $2441
Puerto Rico $1526
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
352 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology352 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Although salaries appear to have increased over time
for the overall profession there is not a considerable differ-
ence between the average hourly wages of laboratory pro-
fessionals working as they accumulate more years of
experience in the field Table 13 For example the average
hourly wage for HTs for the first 5 years is $2277 It was
found that HTs received a pay raise after 6 to 10 years of
work experience earning an average of $2525 per hour
However it appears that there is a wage cap around $2800
per hour for HTs with more than 16 years of experience
$1635
$1607
$1575
$1565
$1506
$1498
$1488
$1483
$1413
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600 $1650
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Overall Hourly Wage for PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 23 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) phlebotomist (PBT) respondents by facility
$1584
$1557
$1548
$1476
$1468
$1466
$1465
$1450
$1426
$1375
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonp t
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 22 Average hourly wage of staff phlebotomists (PBTs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 353DOI 101093ajcpaqw220353Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
For MLTsCLTs the average hourly wage is $1889 for the
first 5 years of experience While MLTsCLTs tended to re-
ceive an increased hourly wage for every 5 years of work
experience those working for 36 to 40 years only earn
$718 per hour more than those with 0 to 5 years of experi-
ence On average PBTs earn $1361 per hour for 0 to 5
years of experience with an average of approximately
$100 for every 5 years of experience The survey has also
revealed a potential wage cap around $1800 per hour for
PBTs with more than 20 years of experience
This year we also looked at the average wage of labo-
ratory professionals based on age and found that salaries
continue to increase considerably for every age range except
LAs and PBTs Table 14 MLSsMTsCLSs aged 55 years
and older experience a wage cap at $3282
In addition to analyzing wages this survey also asked
questions to gain an in-depth perspective on the laboratory
workforce The US Department of Laborrsquos Bureau of Labor
Statistics reported that the job outlook for medical and
clinical laboratory technologists and technicians between
2014 and 2024 is expected to grow 16 which is faster
than the average rate1 Figure 8 suggests strategic focus on
recruitment and supports the results of the ASCP 2014
Vacancy Survey (httpajcpascpjournalsorgcontent
1443432fullpdf) on filling the upcoming vacancies
Results show that laboratory professionals are aging and
therefore the field needs to fill the vacancies with
qualified laboratory professionals There is also a need for
recruiting younger laboratory professionals because ac-
cording to the survey results the youngest group are the
PAs with an average age of 3947 years Recruitment
Table 9Average Annual Salaries for Phlebotomists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Phlebotomist Hourly Wage
Washington $1839
Massachusetts $1819
Minnesota $1807
Oregon $1778
Maryland $1720
New York $1639
Virginia $1628
Wisconsin $1610
Montana $1607
Pennsylvania $1586
Illinois $1570
Colorado $1523
Texas $1505
North Carolina $1449
South Carolina $1444
Florida $1428
Indiana $1406
Ohio $1404
Georgia $1377
Missouri $1361
Tennessee $1332
Michigan $1325
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Table 10Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Staff
Between 2013 and 2015a
Staff 2015 2013 Change
CG $3110 $2863 86
CT $3239 $3145 30
MLSMTCLS $2790 $2713 28
LA $1645 $1603 26
MLTCLT $2089 $2049 20
HT $2441 $2396 19
MB $2745 $2696 18
SBB $2851 $2807 15
HTL $2682 $2663 07
PBT $1497 $1560 40
PA $4330 $4632 65
PI or QA $3837 NA NA
LIS $3361 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 11Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Leads
Between 2013 and 2015a
Lead 2015 2013 Change
CG $3551 $3222 1022
HTL $3051 $2876 607
MLTCLT $2355 $2238 522
HT $2801 $2681 448
MLSMTCLS $3154 $3081 236
PBT $1696 $1671 149
CT $3474 $3520 130
SBB $3105 $3211 331
LA $1782 NA NA
MB $3465 NA NA
PA $4781 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 12Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for
Supervisors Between 2013 and 2015a
Supervisor 2015 2013 Change
MLTCLT $2533 $2260 1210
PA $5158 $4874 583
MLSMTCLS $3343 $3282 187
SBB $3443 $3444 ndash004
CT $3695 $3709 ndash038
HTL $3191 $3241 ndash155
HT $3073 $3129 ndash180
CG $3863 $3995 ndash332
MB $3866 NA NA
PBT $2108 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
354 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology354 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
should focus on the following occupational titles CT
HTL MLSMTCLS PI or QA SBB administration and
LIS as their average ages are higher compared with the
national average (Figure 8)
In addition to recruitment retention warrants the same
focus According to Rex Famitangco2 chair of the ASCP
Council of Laboratory Professionals (CLP) ldquoStriving to re-
tain quality staff is a vital part of maintaining a laboratoryrsquos
Table 13Total Years of Experience at Current Occupational Title by Average Hourly Wagea
Time in Current Title y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PA PBT
0-5 $2620 $2833 $2277 $2469 $1516 $1889 $2527 $2621 $4300 $1361
6-10 $3007 $3093 $2525 $2772 $1700 $2089 $2798 $2991 $4489 $1469
11-15 $3304 $3215 $2657 $2952 $1745 $2209 $2979 NA $4693 $1662
16-20 $3593 $3579 $2871 NA NA $2366 $3050 NA NA $1725
21-25 $3718 $3681 $2883 NA NA $2412 $3155 NA NA $1827
26-30 $3835 $3834 $2825 $3279 NA $2512 $3257 NA NA $1810
31-35 NA $3580 NA NA NA $2588 $3308 NA NA NA
36-40 NA $3585 NA NA NA $2607 $3316 NA NA NA
41thorn NA NA NA NA NA $3281 $3281 NA NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PI or QA staff were not included due to its small sample size
Table 14Age by Average Hourly Wagea
Age y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PBT
18-24 NA NA NA NA NA $1760 $2270 NA $1316
25-34 $2823 $2881 $2330 $2446 $1677 $1945 $2545 $2591 $1439
35-44 $3203 $3236 $2575 $2867 $1700 $2085 $2861 $3033 $1508
45-54 $3631 $3449 $2720 $2890 $1704 $2296 $3120 NA $1609
55-64 NA $3703 $2751 $3206 $1794 $2465 $3282 NA $1737
65-74 NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
75thorn NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PAs were not included due to its small sample size
Table 15Percent of Responses per BenefitPerk Offered by Institution
Perks Offered by Institution Total of Responses per Category
Medicalvision benefits 8818
Dental benefits 8469
Pensionretirement benefits 6704
Free or convenient employee parking 6688
Premium pay for overtime holidays and weekends 5947
Paying for continuing education 3957
Paying for tuition 3885
Flexible work hours 2497
Miscellaneous bonuses (eg tied to work company performance etc) 2485
Bonuses not directly tied to work (including holidays and profit-sharing bonuses) 2299
On-call pay 1961
Paying for certifications or qualifications 1720
Monetary bonus (eg sign-on bonus referral bonus miscellaneous bonuses) 1684
Transportation allowances 1174
Paying for professional memberships 1035
Daycare 780
Uniform allowances 700
Laptop or tablet 682
Providing a company phone for you 546
Free or subsidized room and board 086
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 355DOI 101093ajcpaqw220355Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
functionalityrdquo Employee development such as training
continuing education and mentoring can prove beneficial in
retaining staff2 Survey respondents were asked about the
benefits and perks they receive from their institution
and medicaldentalvision pensionretirement overtime
holidayweekends and employee parking were the top
fringe benefits they receive Paying for continuing educa-
tion certifications professional memberships and day care
were among the benefits that are not provided to many labo-
ratory professionals Table 15
Last this survey asked the respondents to provide com-
ments after the completion of the survey We received a total
of 2230 comments and found that 2762 addressed being un-
derpaidunderappreciated 2166 of them addressed the need
for increased wages andraises 1493 provided suggestions
for future surveys 3018 expressed appreciation for the
opportunity this survey provides in giving the laboratory pro-
fessionals a platform to encourage advocacy and 561 were
categorized as ldquoOtherrdquo Institutions are encouraged to take into
consideration laboratory professionalsrsquo compensation and base
their pay on level of education training years of experience
and cost of living as well as making their pay comparable to
other allied health professionals with higher salaries
Corresponding author Edna Garcia MPH 1225 New York Ave
NW Ste 350 Washington DC 20009 ednagarciaascporg
Contributors Carter Ainsworth ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Andrea Bennett MPH
MT (ASCP) ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp Policy
Washington DC Matthew Schulze ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Patricia Tanabe MPA
MLS (ASCP)CM ASCP Board of Certification Chicago IL and
Elizabeth Waibel MPH ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp
Policy Washington DC
Reviewers Mark Bailey MA HTL (ASCP)CM The University
of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Alexandra
Brown MD FASCP ASCP Institute of Science Technology and
Policy Washington DC Lynnette G Chakkaphak MS MT
(ASCP) St Vincentrsquos HealthCare Jacksonville FL Vicki S
Freeman PhD MASCP MLS (ASCP)CM SCCM FACB The
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Jack A Hager
MT (ASCP) SBB Oregon Health and Science University
Portland Rex F Famitangco MS MLS (ASCP)CM QLC MT
(AMT) CLC AHI Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff Carlo Joseph Ledesma MT (ASCP) Rose State
College Midwest City OK and Babatunde Oloyede PhD MLS
(ASCP) Federal Medical Center Durham NC
References
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbookhttpwwwblsgovoohhealthcaremedical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicianshtm Accessed July 182016
2 Famitangco R Investing in employees investing in the futureCrit Values 2016910-12
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
356 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology356 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
$1641 per hour and academic hospitals with 300 to 499
beds pay the lowest at $1575 per hour Results of the wage
difference between the other laboratory facilities for staff
LAs do not allow for statistically significant comparisons
Results indicate they have an average age of 4096 years
LA leads earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $1782 ($381
Figure 7) The average annual wages of LAs by job level are
listed in Table 2 On average leads are 4144 years old
Overall all LA respondents are paid the highest in out-
patient clinic laboratories at $1789 per hour and the least in
academic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds at $1690 and aca-
demic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $1661 The average
age for all LA respondents is 4107 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8)
LA respondents are mostly found in the following de-
partments with the corresponding average hourly pay all
multiple departments $1759 phlebotomy $1668 and
specimen processing $1637 Results show that LAs have
an average of 1126 years of total experience working in the
field and have worked in their current position for an aver-
age of 754 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Results of the wage difference between laboratory fa-
cilities and states for LA leads managers and supervisors
do not allow for statistically significant comparisons For
the same reason analysis of the average age by state for
LAs was not performed
Medical Laboratory TechniciansClinical Laboratory
Technicians
The national mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level
MLTsCLTs is $2089 ($454 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff
are highest in government facilities at $2185 per hour and
lowest at academic hospitals with less than 100 beds at
$1989 per hour Figure 12 The average age of staff MLTs
CLTs is 4012 years By state Indiana has the oldest staff at
4381 years with the youngest in Alabama at 3675 years
Figure 13 The overall sample size (lt30) for this occupa-
tional level was too small for meaningful statistical analysis
of pay rates by all facilities surveyed
Lead MLTsCLTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$2355 ($531 Figure 7) Results indicate they have an aver-
age age of 4339 years The mean (SD) hourly wage for
MLTCLT supervisors is $2533 ($650 Figure 7) The av-
erage age for this group is 4523 years MLTCLT managers
earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3175 ($647 Figure 7)
The average annual wages of MLTsCLT by job level are
listed in Table 2 The age of managers averages 4800 years
Community-based facilities show the highest hourly pay
rate at $2239 and academic hospitals with fewer than 100
beds show the lowest at $2030 for all MLTCLTs Figure 14
$2185
$2119
$2118
$2117
$2115
$2114
$2102
$2084
$2076
$2074
$2035
$1990
$1989
$1850 $1900 $1950 $2000 $2050 $2100 $2150 $2200
Government
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos office laboratory
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Public health laboratory
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff MLTCLT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 12 Average hourly wage of staff medical laboratory techniciansclinical laboratory technicians (MLTsCLTs) by facility
Table 6Average Annual Salaries for Histotechnologists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Histotechnologist Hourly Wage
California $3570
New York $3208
Florida $2833
Pennsylvania $2695
Texas $2615
North Carolina $2610
Illinois $2527
Michigan $2282
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
344 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology344 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
438
1
430
0
428
8
425
1
424
9
424
7
415
5
408
4
404
1
403
5
397
4
395
7
394
9
391
9
391
3
387
8
386
4
384
6
383
5
383
2
378
8
375
6
367
5
32
34
36
38
40
42
44
46A
ve
rag
e A
ge
(y)
States
Figure 13 Average ages for staff medical laboratory techniciansclinical laboratory technicians (MLTsCLSs) by state Sample
size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons
$2239
$2186
$2178
$2155
$2151
$2150
$2133
$2130
$2114
$2112
$2099
$2049
$2030
$1900 $1950 $2000 $2050 $2100 $2150 $2200 $2250
Community-based
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonp t
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for all MLTCLT Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 14 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory technicianclinical laboratory technician (MLTCLT) respondents by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 345DOI 101093ajcpaqw220345Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
The average age for all MLTCLT respondents is 4101 years
younger than the national average (Figure 8)
According to survey results the blood bank department
paid MLTsCLTs the highest at an average of $2328 per hour
and allmultiple departments the lowest at $2064 per hour
Figure 15 Geographically MLTsCLTs regardless of posi-
tion level are paid significantly higher wages in California
and lowest in Alabama Table 7 Overall MLTsCLTs have
an average of 1214 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and have been working in their current title for 887
years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities de-
partment and states for leads supervisors managers and
directors was not performed due to the small sample size
(lt30) of each level For the same reason average age by
state was not analyzed
Medical Laboratory ScientistsMedical Technologists
Clinical Laboratory Scientists
Staff-level MLSsMTsCLSs are paid a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $2790 ($678 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff
are highest at government facilities at $2990 per hour
and lowest at physiciansrsquo office laboratories (POLs) at
$2502 per hour Figure 16 The mean age for staff MLSs
MTsCLSs is 4196 years Geographically MLTsCLTs
are the oldest in New Hampshire and the youngest in South
Dakota Figure 17
$2328 $2308
$2260
$2149 $2133 $2129 $2119
$2064
$1900
$1950
$2000
$2050
$2100
$2150
$2200
$2250
$2300
$2350
Ave
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Departments
Figure 15 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) medical laboratory technicianclinical labora-
tory technician (MLTCLT) respondents by department
Table 7Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Technicians
Clinical Laboratory Technicians by State From Highest to
Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory Technician
Clinical Laboratory Technician Hourly Wage
California $2927
Massachusetts $2526
Washington $2460
New York $2449
Maryland $2428
Arizona $2367
Colorado $2305
Minnesota $2265
Pennsylvania $2239
Nebraska $2193
Virginia $2188
Wisconsin $2156
Indiana $2120
Illinois $2120
Ohio $2101
Georgia $2076
Iowa $2074
Texas $2060
Michigan $2055
Kentucky $2041
Tennessee $2020
Missouri $2014
Kansas $1996
North Carolina $1857
Mississippi $1808
South Carolina $1787
Alabama $1775
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
346 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology346 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
MLSMTCLS leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3154 ($735 Figure 7) Academic hospitals with 300 to
499 beds pay a significantly high hourly rate for lead MLSs
MTsCLSs compared with all facilities surveyed at $3335
The facility providing the lowest pay is the POL at $2771 per
hour Figure 18 They have an average age of 4597 years
MLSMTCLS supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly
rate of $3343 ($900 Figure 7) Results indicate that refer-
enceindependent laboratories pay the highest hourly wage
at $3622 whereas POLs pay $2871 per hour Figure 19
This group has an average age of 4834 years
The mean (SD) hourly wage for MLSMTCLS managers
is $3313 ($952 Figure 7) Pay rates for managers are highest
at referenceindependent laboratories at $4463 per hour fol-
lowed by academic hospitals with over 500 beds at $4242
nonacademic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $4130 nonac-
ademic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds at $4041 POLs at
$3653 and academic hospitals with fewer than 100 beds
at $3125 per hour Results indicate that managers have an
average age of 5017 years
MLSMTCLS directors earn a mean (SD) hourly wage
of $3799 ($1519 Figure 7) The average annual wages of
MLSsMTsCLSs by job level are listed in Table 2
Directors have an average age of 5186 years
MLSMTCLS respondents regardless of level are
paid the lowest in blood centers at $2623 per hour and
highest in government facilities at $3279 per hour
Figure 20 The average age for all MLSMTCLS re-
spondents is 4436 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8)
Survey results indicate that the LIS-QA-PI department
pays the highest at $3516 and the generalists department
pays the lowest at $2791 on average per hour Figure 21
The top 10 highest-paying states for all MLSMTCLS
levels are California Nevada Oregon Massachusetts
Connecticut Washington New York Arizona Minnesota
and Colorado Table 8 According to survey results MLSs
MTsCLSs have an average of 1596 years of total experience
in the laboratory field and have been working in their current
occupational title for 1038 years (Figures 9 and 10)
$2990
$2870
$2861
$2848
$2834
$2821
$2816
$2807
$2790
$2784
$2779
$2776
$2752
$2697
$2656
$2635
$2579
$2502
$22 $23 $24 $25 $26 $27 $28 $29 $30
Government
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Private industry
Reference
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Military VA VHA
Nonp t
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Blood center
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Staff MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 16 Average hourly wage of staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 347DOI 101093ajcpaqw220347Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
The overall sample size (lt30) for all occupational lev-
els was too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay
rates by all facilities and departments surveyed For the
same reason average age by state for leads supervisors and
directors was not analyzed
Molecular Biologists
The mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level MBs is
$2745 ($828 Figure 7) According to survey results staff
MBs have an average age of 3841 years
Lead-level MBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3465
($844 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4341 years
MB supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3866 ($1233
Figure 7) The average annual wages of MBs by job level are
listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervisors have an aver-
age age of 4216 years and managers of 3896 years
Most of the MB respondents are found in the molecular
pathology (pathgen) department and are paid an average
hourly wage of $2963 The average age for all MB respon-
dents is 4004 years which is younger than the national av-
erage (Figure 8) According to survey results MBs have
849 total years of experience working in the laboratory
field and an average of 556 years working in their current
occupational title the least number of years of experience
and working in their current title among all the groups sur-
veyed (Figures 9 and 10)
Results regarding the wage differences between
laboratory facilities and states for MBs do not allow for
480
5
467
9
463
9
455
2
454
7
454
0
452
3
450
6
449
8
447
6
443
6
438
9
436
3
436
1
435
0
434
2
431
0
426
8
425
6
424
3
422
8
422
0
420
8
418
8
418
4
417
2
415
7
411
7
408
8
407
0
402
1
401
3
401
2
397
2
396
2
390
6
387
2
377
1
371
2
369
7
360
0
359
3
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50A
ve
rag
e A
ge
(y)
States
Figure 17 Average ages for staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists (MLSsMTs
CLSs) by state Sample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
348 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology348 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
statistically significant comparisons because respondents
in the survey had a small sample size For the same
reason average ages by state of each level were not
analyzed
Pathologistsrsquo Assistants
The mean (SD) national hourly wage for staff-level
PAs is $4330 ($1291 Figure 7) The mean age for staff
PAs is 3783 years
$3335
$3314
$3301
$3282
$3229
$3205
$3197
$3197
$3130
$3035
$3018
$2937
$2914
$2771
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Military VA VHA
No t
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Average Hourly Wage for Lead MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 18 Average hourly wage of lead medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
$3622
$3563
$3558
$3473
$3456
$3354
$3152
$2871
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35 $40
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Supervisor MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 19 Average hourly wage of supervisor medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 349DOI 101093ajcpaqw220349Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Lead PAs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $4781
($827 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4226 years The
mean (SD) hourly wage for PA supervisors is $5158
($1088 Figure 7) The average annual wages of PAs by
job level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervi-
sors have an average age of 4107 years and managers of
4706 years
PA respondents were mostly found in the anatomic pa-
thology departments which pays them an average salary of
$4312 per hour According to survey results PAs are the
youngest laboratory professionals with an average age of
3947 years which is younger than the national average
(Figure 8) Overall PAs have an average of 1058 total years
of experience in the laboratory field and 794 years in their
current title (Figures 9 and 10)
We did not perform analysis of wage data by facility
and state for PAs because the results would provide statisti-
cally insignificant values due to the small sample size For
the same reason average ages by state of each level were
not analyzed
Performance Improvement or Quality Assurance
The mean (SD) hourly wage for PI or QA staff is
$3837 ($913 Figure 7) The average age of staff PI or QA
is 4902 years Manager-level PI or QA staff are paid a
mean (SD) hourly rate of $4225 ($1042 Figure 7) The av-
erage annual wages of PI or QA staff by job level are listed
in Table 2 The mean age for managers is 4674 years
The department where most PI or QA personnel were
found is the LIS-QA-PI This department pays an average
hourly wage of $3378 Results indicate that leads have an
average age of 4593 years supervisors 4877 years and di-
rectors 5670 years The average age for all PI or QA re-
spondents is 4864 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8) According to survey results PI or QA
staff have an average of 1291 years of total experience in
the laboratory field and 692 years working in their current
occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of overall mean hourly wage for leads supervi-
sors and directors as well as average hourly wages paid by
facilities and states for PI or QA staff was not performed due
$3279
$3064
$3002
$2998
$2981
$2929
$2922
$2918
$2908
$2906
$2904
$2878
$2855
$2804
$2801
$2785
$2783
$2775
$2769
$2640
$2623
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Government
Military VA VHA
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Reference
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonp t
Community-based
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Public health laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Private industry
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Blood center
Average Hourly Wage for All MLSMTCLS Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 20 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
350 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology350 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
to the small sample size (lt30) of each level For the same rea-
son average ages by state of each level were not analyzed
Phlebotomists
Staff PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1497
($342 Figure 7) Results indicate that academic hospitals
with over 500 beds pay the highest hourly wage at $1584
and that hospitals with fewer than 100 beds pay the lowest
hourly wage at $1375 Figure 22 The overall sample size
(lt30) for this occupational level was too small for meaning-
ful statistical analysis of pay rates by all institutions sur-
veyed The data indicate that the average age for staff PBTs
is 4179 years
Lead PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1696
($344 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4322 years PBT man-
agers earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $2108 ($701 Figure
7) The average annual wages of PBTs by job level are listed
in Table 2 This group has an average age of 4428 years
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities for
leads supervisors managers and directors was not per-
formed due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level
But overall academic hospitals with over 500 beds pay the
highest hourly wage at $1635 and academic hospitals with
less than 100 beds at $1413 for PBTs Figure 23
Geographically PBTs regardless of position level are paid
a significantly higher wage in Washington State and lowest
in Michigan Table 9
Most PBT respondents are found in the phlebotomy and
allmultiple departments They are paid an average hourly
wage of $1546 and $1527 respectively The average age
for all PBT respondents is 4212 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8) Overall PBTs have an
average of 1160 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and 824 years working in their current title (Figures 9
and 10)
Analysis of the average age for PBT managers and directors
was not performed due to the small sample size For the same
reason analysis of average age by state was not performed
Specialists in Blood Banking
Staff-level SBBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $2851
($946 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4558 years
SBB leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3105
($610 Figure 7) Data indicate that the average age for lead
SBBs is 4242 years SBB supervisors earn a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $3443 ($637 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4924
years The mean (SD) hourly wage for SBB managers is $4505
($996 Figure 7) The average annual wages of SBBs by job
level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that the average age
for managers is 4979 years while directors are at 5171 years
Most SBB respondents are found in the blood bank de-
partment which pays them an average hourly wage of
$3137 The average age for all SBB respondents is 4767
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
$3516
$3211 $3106 $3099 $3031 $3002 $3001 $2981 $2908 $2845 $2834 $2791
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40A
ve
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Figure 21 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by department
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 351DOI 101093ajcpaqw220351Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Results show that SBBs have an average of 1700 years of
total experience working in the field and have been working
in their current title for 872 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility and state as well as
average age by state for SBBs was not performed because
the results would provide statistically insignificant values
For the same reason average ages by state of each level
were not analyzed
Administration
The mean (SD) hourly wage for administration man-
agers is $4315 ($1101 Figure 7) The average age of man-
agers is 5157 years Administration directors earn a mean
(SD) hourly wage of $5910 ($2122 Figure 7) The average
annual wages of administrative personnel by job level are
listed in Table 2 Data indicate that the average age for di-
rectors is 5504 years
Administrative personnel are the oldest group of labora-
tory professionals with an overall average age of 5362
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
Overall administrative personnel have an average of 1606
total years of experience in the laboratory field and 952
years in their current occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was not performed
Laboratory Information Systems
Staff-level LIS personnel are paid a mean (SD) hourly
wage of $3361 ($704 Figure 7) The mean age for LIS
staff is 4820 years
Leads have an average age of 5167 years supervisors
5263 years and managers 5067 years The average age for
all LIS respondents is 4973 years which is older than the
national average (Figure 8) According to survey results
LIS personnel have an average of 1470 years of total expe-
rience in the laboratory field and have been working in their
current title for 859 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was performed
Summary
Compared with the 2013 ASCP wage survey salaries are
up for all staff-level laboratory professionals except PBTs and
PAs who have a ndash40 and ndash650 change in annual hourly
wage respectively Table 10 The annual hourly wages for
leads were also up in 2015 except for CTs (ndash130) and
SBBs (ndash331) Table 11 Supervisorsrsquo annual hourly wages
however are down except for MLTsCLTs PAs and MLSs
MTsCLSs at 1210 583 and 187 respectively
Table 12 Manager- and director-level comparisons were not
conducted due to small sample size LAs and PBTs regardless
of level continue to have lower salaries while PAs and
administration personnel have higher salaries than the rest of
the laboratory professions surveyed
Table 8Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Scientists
Medical TechnologistsClinical Laboratory Scientists by State
From Highest to Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory ScientistMedical
TechnologistClinical Laboratory Scientist Hourly Wage
California $4620
Nevada $3494
Oregon $3324
Massachusetts $3262
Connecticut $3253
Washington $3190
New York $3087
Arizona $3082
Minnesota $3060
Colorado $3054
New Jersey $3020
New Hampshire $2999
Maryland $2933
Georgia $2881
Idaho $2814
Montana $2795
Kansas $2753
New Mexico $2737
Missouri $2735
South Carolina $2729
Pennsylvania $2728
Wisconsin $2725
Florida $2710
Kentucky $2697
Virginia $2697
Indiana $2694
Ohio $2687
Illinois $2683
Texas $2682
Nebraska $2679
Michigan $2615
Maine $2605
Tennessee $2597
Oklahoma $2589
Louisiana $2585
Iowa $2579
West Virginia $2568
North Carolina $2499
Utah $2487
Mississippi $2461
North Dakota $2458
Alabama $2457
Arkansas $2444
South Dakota $2441
Puerto Rico $1526
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
352 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology352 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Although salaries appear to have increased over time
for the overall profession there is not a considerable differ-
ence between the average hourly wages of laboratory pro-
fessionals working as they accumulate more years of
experience in the field Table 13 For example the average
hourly wage for HTs for the first 5 years is $2277 It was
found that HTs received a pay raise after 6 to 10 years of
work experience earning an average of $2525 per hour
However it appears that there is a wage cap around $2800
per hour for HTs with more than 16 years of experience
$1635
$1607
$1575
$1565
$1506
$1498
$1488
$1483
$1413
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600 $1650
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Overall Hourly Wage for PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 23 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) phlebotomist (PBT) respondents by facility
$1584
$1557
$1548
$1476
$1468
$1466
$1465
$1450
$1426
$1375
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonp t
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 22 Average hourly wage of staff phlebotomists (PBTs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 353DOI 101093ajcpaqw220353Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
For MLTsCLTs the average hourly wage is $1889 for the
first 5 years of experience While MLTsCLTs tended to re-
ceive an increased hourly wage for every 5 years of work
experience those working for 36 to 40 years only earn
$718 per hour more than those with 0 to 5 years of experi-
ence On average PBTs earn $1361 per hour for 0 to 5
years of experience with an average of approximately
$100 for every 5 years of experience The survey has also
revealed a potential wage cap around $1800 per hour for
PBTs with more than 20 years of experience
This year we also looked at the average wage of labo-
ratory professionals based on age and found that salaries
continue to increase considerably for every age range except
LAs and PBTs Table 14 MLSsMTsCLSs aged 55 years
and older experience a wage cap at $3282
In addition to analyzing wages this survey also asked
questions to gain an in-depth perspective on the laboratory
workforce The US Department of Laborrsquos Bureau of Labor
Statistics reported that the job outlook for medical and
clinical laboratory technologists and technicians between
2014 and 2024 is expected to grow 16 which is faster
than the average rate1 Figure 8 suggests strategic focus on
recruitment and supports the results of the ASCP 2014
Vacancy Survey (httpajcpascpjournalsorgcontent
1443432fullpdf) on filling the upcoming vacancies
Results show that laboratory professionals are aging and
therefore the field needs to fill the vacancies with
qualified laboratory professionals There is also a need for
recruiting younger laboratory professionals because ac-
cording to the survey results the youngest group are the
PAs with an average age of 3947 years Recruitment
Table 9Average Annual Salaries for Phlebotomists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Phlebotomist Hourly Wage
Washington $1839
Massachusetts $1819
Minnesota $1807
Oregon $1778
Maryland $1720
New York $1639
Virginia $1628
Wisconsin $1610
Montana $1607
Pennsylvania $1586
Illinois $1570
Colorado $1523
Texas $1505
North Carolina $1449
South Carolina $1444
Florida $1428
Indiana $1406
Ohio $1404
Georgia $1377
Missouri $1361
Tennessee $1332
Michigan $1325
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Table 10Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Staff
Between 2013 and 2015a
Staff 2015 2013 Change
CG $3110 $2863 86
CT $3239 $3145 30
MLSMTCLS $2790 $2713 28
LA $1645 $1603 26
MLTCLT $2089 $2049 20
HT $2441 $2396 19
MB $2745 $2696 18
SBB $2851 $2807 15
HTL $2682 $2663 07
PBT $1497 $1560 40
PA $4330 $4632 65
PI or QA $3837 NA NA
LIS $3361 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 11Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Leads
Between 2013 and 2015a
Lead 2015 2013 Change
CG $3551 $3222 1022
HTL $3051 $2876 607
MLTCLT $2355 $2238 522
HT $2801 $2681 448
MLSMTCLS $3154 $3081 236
PBT $1696 $1671 149
CT $3474 $3520 130
SBB $3105 $3211 331
LA $1782 NA NA
MB $3465 NA NA
PA $4781 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 12Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for
Supervisors Between 2013 and 2015a
Supervisor 2015 2013 Change
MLTCLT $2533 $2260 1210
PA $5158 $4874 583
MLSMTCLS $3343 $3282 187
SBB $3443 $3444 ndash004
CT $3695 $3709 ndash038
HTL $3191 $3241 ndash155
HT $3073 $3129 ndash180
CG $3863 $3995 ndash332
MB $3866 NA NA
PBT $2108 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
354 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology354 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
should focus on the following occupational titles CT
HTL MLSMTCLS PI or QA SBB administration and
LIS as their average ages are higher compared with the
national average (Figure 8)
In addition to recruitment retention warrants the same
focus According to Rex Famitangco2 chair of the ASCP
Council of Laboratory Professionals (CLP) ldquoStriving to re-
tain quality staff is a vital part of maintaining a laboratoryrsquos
Table 13Total Years of Experience at Current Occupational Title by Average Hourly Wagea
Time in Current Title y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PA PBT
0-5 $2620 $2833 $2277 $2469 $1516 $1889 $2527 $2621 $4300 $1361
6-10 $3007 $3093 $2525 $2772 $1700 $2089 $2798 $2991 $4489 $1469
11-15 $3304 $3215 $2657 $2952 $1745 $2209 $2979 NA $4693 $1662
16-20 $3593 $3579 $2871 NA NA $2366 $3050 NA NA $1725
21-25 $3718 $3681 $2883 NA NA $2412 $3155 NA NA $1827
26-30 $3835 $3834 $2825 $3279 NA $2512 $3257 NA NA $1810
31-35 NA $3580 NA NA NA $2588 $3308 NA NA NA
36-40 NA $3585 NA NA NA $2607 $3316 NA NA NA
41thorn NA NA NA NA NA $3281 $3281 NA NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PI or QA staff were not included due to its small sample size
Table 14Age by Average Hourly Wagea
Age y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PBT
18-24 NA NA NA NA NA $1760 $2270 NA $1316
25-34 $2823 $2881 $2330 $2446 $1677 $1945 $2545 $2591 $1439
35-44 $3203 $3236 $2575 $2867 $1700 $2085 $2861 $3033 $1508
45-54 $3631 $3449 $2720 $2890 $1704 $2296 $3120 NA $1609
55-64 NA $3703 $2751 $3206 $1794 $2465 $3282 NA $1737
65-74 NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
75thorn NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PAs were not included due to its small sample size
Table 15Percent of Responses per BenefitPerk Offered by Institution
Perks Offered by Institution Total of Responses per Category
Medicalvision benefits 8818
Dental benefits 8469
Pensionretirement benefits 6704
Free or convenient employee parking 6688
Premium pay for overtime holidays and weekends 5947
Paying for continuing education 3957
Paying for tuition 3885
Flexible work hours 2497
Miscellaneous bonuses (eg tied to work company performance etc) 2485
Bonuses not directly tied to work (including holidays and profit-sharing bonuses) 2299
On-call pay 1961
Paying for certifications or qualifications 1720
Monetary bonus (eg sign-on bonus referral bonus miscellaneous bonuses) 1684
Transportation allowances 1174
Paying for professional memberships 1035
Daycare 780
Uniform allowances 700
Laptop or tablet 682
Providing a company phone for you 546
Free or subsidized room and board 086
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 355DOI 101093ajcpaqw220355Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
functionalityrdquo Employee development such as training
continuing education and mentoring can prove beneficial in
retaining staff2 Survey respondents were asked about the
benefits and perks they receive from their institution
and medicaldentalvision pensionretirement overtime
holidayweekends and employee parking were the top
fringe benefits they receive Paying for continuing educa-
tion certifications professional memberships and day care
were among the benefits that are not provided to many labo-
ratory professionals Table 15
Last this survey asked the respondents to provide com-
ments after the completion of the survey We received a total
of 2230 comments and found that 2762 addressed being un-
derpaidunderappreciated 2166 of them addressed the need
for increased wages andraises 1493 provided suggestions
for future surveys 3018 expressed appreciation for the
opportunity this survey provides in giving the laboratory pro-
fessionals a platform to encourage advocacy and 561 were
categorized as ldquoOtherrdquo Institutions are encouraged to take into
consideration laboratory professionalsrsquo compensation and base
their pay on level of education training years of experience
and cost of living as well as making their pay comparable to
other allied health professionals with higher salaries
Corresponding author Edna Garcia MPH 1225 New York Ave
NW Ste 350 Washington DC 20009 ednagarciaascporg
Contributors Carter Ainsworth ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Andrea Bennett MPH
MT (ASCP) ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp Policy
Washington DC Matthew Schulze ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Patricia Tanabe MPA
MLS (ASCP)CM ASCP Board of Certification Chicago IL and
Elizabeth Waibel MPH ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp
Policy Washington DC
Reviewers Mark Bailey MA HTL (ASCP)CM The University
of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Alexandra
Brown MD FASCP ASCP Institute of Science Technology and
Policy Washington DC Lynnette G Chakkaphak MS MT
(ASCP) St Vincentrsquos HealthCare Jacksonville FL Vicki S
Freeman PhD MASCP MLS (ASCP)CM SCCM FACB The
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Jack A Hager
MT (ASCP) SBB Oregon Health and Science University
Portland Rex F Famitangco MS MLS (ASCP)CM QLC MT
(AMT) CLC AHI Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff Carlo Joseph Ledesma MT (ASCP) Rose State
College Midwest City OK and Babatunde Oloyede PhD MLS
(ASCP) Federal Medical Center Durham NC
References
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbookhttpwwwblsgovoohhealthcaremedical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicianshtm Accessed July 182016
2 Famitangco R Investing in employees investing in the futureCrit Values 2016910-12
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
356 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology356 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
438
1
430
0
428
8
425
1
424
9
424
7
415
5
408
4
404
1
403
5
397
4
395
7
394
9
391
9
391
3
387
8
386
4
384
6
383
5
383
2
378
8
375
6
367
5
32
34
36
38
40
42
44
46A
ve
rag
e A
ge
(y)
States
Figure 13 Average ages for staff medical laboratory techniciansclinical laboratory technicians (MLTsCLSs) by state Sample
size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons
$2239
$2186
$2178
$2155
$2151
$2150
$2133
$2130
$2114
$2112
$2099
$2049
$2030
$1900 $1950 $2000 $2050 $2100 $2150 $2200 $2250
Community-based
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonp t
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Private industry
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for all MLTCLT Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 14 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory technicianclinical laboratory technician (MLTCLT) respondents by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 345DOI 101093ajcpaqw220345Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
The average age for all MLTCLT respondents is 4101 years
younger than the national average (Figure 8)
According to survey results the blood bank department
paid MLTsCLTs the highest at an average of $2328 per hour
and allmultiple departments the lowest at $2064 per hour
Figure 15 Geographically MLTsCLTs regardless of posi-
tion level are paid significantly higher wages in California
and lowest in Alabama Table 7 Overall MLTsCLTs have
an average of 1214 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and have been working in their current title for 887
years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities de-
partment and states for leads supervisors managers and
directors was not performed due to the small sample size
(lt30) of each level For the same reason average age by
state was not analyzed
Medical Laboratory ScientistsMedical Technologists
Clinical Laboratory Scientists
Staff-level MLSsMTsCLSs are paid a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $2790 ($678 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff
are highest at government facilities at $2990 per hour
and lowest at physiciansrsquo office laboratories (POLs) at
$2502 per hour Figure 16 The mean age for staff MLSs
MTsCLSs is 4196 years Geographically MLTsCLTs
are the oldest in New Hampshire and the youngest in South
Dakota Figure 17
$2328 $2308
$2260
$2149 $2133 $2129 $2119
$2064
$1900
$1950
$2000
$2050
$2100
$2150
$2200
$2250
$2300
$2350
Ave
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Departments
Figure 15 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) medical laboratory technicianclinical labora-
tory technician (MLTCLT) respondents by department
Table 7Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Technicians
Clinical Laboratory Technicians by State From Highest to
Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory Technician
Clinical Laboratory Technician Hourly Wage
California $2927
Massachusetts $2526
Washington $2460
New York $2449
Maryland $2428
Arizona $2367
Colorado $2305
Minnesota $2265
Pennsylvania $2239
Nebraska $2193
Virginia $2188
Wisconsin $2156
Indiana $2120
Illinois $2120
Ohio $2101
Georgia $2076
Iowa $2074
Texas $2060
Michigan $2055
Kentucky $2041
Tennessee $2020
Missouri $2014
Kansas $1996
North Carolina $1857
Mississippi $1808
South Carolina $1787
Alabama $1775
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
346 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology346 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
MLSMTCLS leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3154 ($735 Figure 7) Academic hospitals with 300 to
499 beds pay a significantly high hourly rate for lead MLSs
MTsCLSs compared with all facilities surveyed at $3335
The facility providing the lowest pay is the POL at $2771 per
hour Figure 18 They have an average age of 4597 years
MLSMTCLS supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly
rate of $3343 ($900 Figure 7) Results indicate that refer-
enceindependent laboratories pay the highest hourly wage
at $3622 whereas POLs pay $2871 per hour Figure 19
This group has an average age of 4834 years
The mean (SD) hourly wage for MLSMTCLS managers
is $3313 ($952 Figure 7) Pay rates for managers are highest
at referenceindependent laboratories at $4463 per hour fol-
lowed by academic hospitals with over 500 beds at $4242
nonacademic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $4130 nonac-
ademic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds at $4041 POLs at
$3653 and academic hospitals with fewer than 100 beds
at $3125 per hour Results indicate that managers have an
average age of 5017 years
MLSMTCLS directors earn a mean (SD) hourly wage
of $3799 ($1519 Figure 7) The average annual wages of
MLSsMTsCLSs by job level are listed in Table 2
Directors have an average age of 5186 years
MLSMTCLS respondents regardless of level are
paid the lowest in blood centers at $2623 per hour and
highest in government facilities at $3279 per hour
Figure 20 The average age for all MLSMTCLS re-
spondents is 4436 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8)
Survey results indicate that the LIS-QA-PI department
pays the highest at $3516 and the generalists department
pays the lowest at $2791 on average per hour Figure 21
The top 10 highest-paying states for all MLSMTCLS
levels are California Nevada Oregon Massachusetts
Connecticut Washington New York Arizona Minnesota
and Colorado Table 8 According to survey results MLSs
MTsCLSs have an average of 1596 years of total experience
in the laboratory field and have been working in their current
occupational title for 1038 years (Figures 9 and 10)
$2990
$2870
$2861
$2848
$2834
$2821
$2816
$2807
$2790
$2784
$2779
$2776
$2752
$2697
$2656
$2635
$2579
$2502
$22 $23 $24 $25 $26 $27 $28 $29 $30
Government
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Private industry
Reference
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Military VA VHA
Nonp t
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Blood center
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Staff MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 16 Average hourly wage of staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 347DOI 101093ajcpaqw220347Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
The overall sample size (lt30) for all occupational lev-
els was too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay
rates by all facilities and departments surveyed For the
same reason average age by state for leads supervisors and
directors was not analyzed
Molecular Biologists
The mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level MBs is
$2745 ($828 Figure 7) According to survey results staff
MBs have an average age of 3841 years
Lead-level MBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3465
($844 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4341 years
MB supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3866 ($1233
Figure 7) The average annual wages of MBs by job level are
listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervisors have an aver-
age age of 4216 years and managers of 3896 years
Most of the MB respondents are found in the molecular
pathology (pathgen) department and are paid an average
hourly wage of $2963 The average age for all MB respon-
dents is 4004 years which is younger than the national av-
erage (Figure 8) According to survey results MBs have
849 total years of experience working in the laboratory
field and an average of 556 years working in their current
occupational title the least number of years of experience
and working in their current title among all the groups sur-
veyed (Figures 9 and 10)
Results regarding the wage differences between
laboratory facilities and states for MBs do not allow for
480
5
467
9
463
9
455
2
454
7
454
0
452
3
450
6
449
8
447
6
443
6
438
9
436
3
436
1
435
0
434
2
431
0
426
8
425
6
424
3
422
8
422
0
420
8
418
8
418
4
417
2
415
7
411
7
408
8
407
0
402
1
401
3
401
2
397
2
396
2
390
6
387
2
377
1
371
2
369
7
360
0
359
3
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50A
ve
rag
e A
ge
(y)
States
Figure 17 Average ages for staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists (MLSsMTs
CLSs) by state Sample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
348 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology348 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
statistically significant comparisons because respondents
in the survey had a small sample size For the same
reason average ages by state of each level were not
analyzed
Pathologistsrsquo Assistants
The mean (SD) national hourly wage for staff-level
PAs is $4330 ($1291 Figure 7) The mean age for staff
PAs is 3783 years
$3335
$3314
$3301
$3282
$3229
$3205
$3197
$3197
$3130
$3035
$3018
$2937
$2914
$2771
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Military VA VHA
No t
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Average Hourly Wage for Lead MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 18 Average hourly wage of lead medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
$3622
$3563
$3558
$3473
$3456
$3354
$3152
$2871
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35 $40
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Supervisor MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 19 Average hourly wage of supervisor medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 349DOI 101093ajcpaqw220349Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Lead PAs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $4781
($827 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4226 years The
mean (SD) hourly wage for PA supervisors is $5158
($1088 Figure 7) The average annual wages of PAs by
job level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervi-
sors have an average age of 4107 years and managers of
4706 years
PA respondents were mostly found in the anatomic pa-
thology departments which pays them an average salary of
$4312 per hour According to survey results PAs are the
youngest laboratory professionals with an average age of
3947 years which is younger than the national average
(Figure 8) Overall PAs have an average of 1058 total years
of experience in the laboratory field and 794 years in their
current title (Figures 9 and 10)
We did not perform analysis of wage data by facility
and state for PAs because the results would provide statisti-
cally insignificant values due to the small sample size For
the same reason average ages by state of each level were
not analyzed
Performance Improvement or Quality Assurance
The mean (SD) hourly wage for PI or QA staff is
$3837 ($913 Figure 7) The average age of staff PI or QA
is 4902 years Manager-level PI or QA staff are paid a
mean (SD) hourly rate of $4225 ($1042 Figure 7) The av-
erage annual wages of PI or QA staff by job level are listed
in Table 2 The mean age for managers is 4674 years
The department where most PI or QA personnel were
found is the LIS-QA-PI This department pays an average
hourly wage of $3378 Results indicate that leads have an
average age of 4593 years supervisors 4877 years and di-
rectors 5670 years The average age for all PI or QA re-
spondents is 4864 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8) According to survey results PI or QA
staff have an average of 1291 years of total experience in
the laboratory field and 692 years working in their current
occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of overall mean hourly wage for leads supervi-
sors and directors as well as average hourly wages paid by
facilities and states for PI or QA staff was not performed due
$3279
$3064
$3002
$2998
$2981
$2929
$2922
$2918
$2908
$2906
$2904
$2878
$2855
$2804
$2801
$2785
$2783
$2775
$2769
$2640
$2623
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Government
Military VA VHA
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Reference
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonp t
Community-based
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Public health laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Private industry
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Blood center
Average Hourly Wage for All MLSMTCLS Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 20 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
350 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology350 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
to the small sample size (lt30) of each level For the same rea-
son average ages by state of each level were not analyzed
Phlebotomists
Staff PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1497
($342 Figure 7) Results indicate that academic hospitals
with over 500 beds pay the highest hourly wage at $1584
and that hospitals with fewer than 100 beds pay the lowest
hourly wage at $1375 Figure 22 The overall sample size
(lt30) for this occupational level was too small for meaning-
ful statistical analysis of pay rates by all institutions sur-
veyed The data indicate that the average age for staff PBTs
is 4179 years
Lead PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1696
($344 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4322 years PBT man-
agers earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $2108 ($701 Figure
7) The average annual wages of PBTs by job level are listed
in Table 2 This group has an average age of 4428 years
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities for
leads supervisors managers and directors was not per-
formed due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level
But overall academic hospitals with over 500 beds pay the
highest hourly wage at $1635 and academic hospitals with
less than 100 beds at $1413 for PBTs Figure 23
Geographically PBTs regardless of position level are paid
a significantly higher wage in Washington State and lowest
in Michigan Table 9
Most PBT respondents are found in the phlebotomy and
allmultiple departments They are paid an average hourly
wage of $1546 and $1527 respectively The average age
for all PBT respondents is 4212 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8) Overall PBTs have an
average of 1160 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and 824 years working in their current title (Figures 9
and 10)
Analysis of the average age for PBT managers and directors
was not performed due to the small sample size For the same
reason analysis of average age by state was not performed
Specialists in Blood Banking
Staff-level SBBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $2851
($946 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4558 years
SBB leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3105
($610 Figure 7) Data indicate that the average age for lead
SBBs is 4242 years SBB supervisors earn a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $3443 ($637 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4924
years The mean (SD) hourly wage for SBB managers is $4505
($996 Figure 7) The average annual wages of SBBs by job
level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that the average age
for managers is 4979 years while directors are at 5171 years
Most SBB respondents are found in the blood bank de-
partment which pays them an average hourly wage of
$3137 The average age for all SBB respondents is 4767
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
$3516
$3211 $3106 $3099 $3031 $3002 $3001 $2981 $2908 $2845 $2834 $2791
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40A
ve
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Figure 21 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by department
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 351DOI 101093ajcpaqw220351Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Results show that SBBs have an average of 1700 years of
total experience working in the field and have been working
in their current title for 872 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility and state as well as
average age by state for SBBs was not performed because
the results would provide statistically insignificant values
For the same reason average ages by state of each level
were not analyzed
Administration
The mean (SD) hourly wage for administration man-
agers is $4315 ($1101 Figure 7) The average age of man-
agers is 5157 years Administration directors earn a mean
(SD) hourly wage of $5910 ($2122 Figure 7) The average
annual wages of administrative personnel by job level are
listed in Table 2 Data indicate that the average age for di-
rectors is 5504 years
Administrative personnel are the oldest group of labora-
tory professionals with an overall average age of 5362
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
Overall administrative personnel have an average of 1606
total years of experience in the laboratory field and 952
years in their current occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was not performed
Laboratory Information Systems
Staff-level LIS personnel are paid a mean (SD) hourly
wage of $3361 ($704 Figure 7) The mean age for LIS
staff is 4820 years
Leads have an average age of 5167 years supervisors
5263 years and managers 5067 years The average age for
all LIS respondents is 4973 years which is older than the
national average (Figure 8) According to survey results
LIS personnel have an average of 1470 years of total expe-
rience in the laboratory field and have been working in their
current title for 859 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was performed
Summary
Compared with the 2013 ASCP wage survey salaries are
up for all staff-level laboratory professionals except PBTs and
PAs who have a ndash40 and ndash650 change in annual hourly
wage respectively Table 10 The annual hourly wages for
leads were also up in 2015 except for CTs (ndash130) and
SBBs (ndash331) Table 11 Supervisorsrsquo annual hourly wages
however are down except for MLTsCLTs PAs and MLSs
MTsCLSs at 1210 583 and 187 respectively
Table 12 Manager- and director-level comparisons were not
conducted due to small sample size LAs and PBTs regardless
of level continue to have lower salaries while PAs and
administration personnel have higher salaries than the rest of
the laboratory professions surveyed
Table 8Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Scientists
Medical TechnologistsClinical Laboratory Scientists by State
From Highest to Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory ScientistMedical
TechnologistClinical Laboratory Scientist Hourly Wage
California $4620
Nevada $3494
Oregon $3324
Massachusetts $3262
Connecticut $3253
Washington $3190
New York $3087
Arizona $3082
Minnesota $3060
Colorado $3054
New Jersey $3020
New Hampshire $2999
Maryland $2933
Georgia $2881
Idaho $2814
Montana $2795
Kansas $2753
New Mexico $2737
Missouri $2735
South Carolina $2729
Pennsylvania $2728
Wisconsin $2725
Florida $2710
Kentucky $2697
Virginia $2697
Indiana $2694
Ohio $2687
Illinois $2683
Texas $2682
Nebraska $2679
Michigan $2615
Maine $2605
Tennessee $2597
Oklahoma $2589
Louisiana $2585
Iowa $2579
West Virginia $2568
North Carolina $2499
Utah $2487
Mississippi $2461
North Dakota $2458
Alabama $2457
Arkansas $2444
South Dakota $2441
Puerto Rico $1526
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
352 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology352 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Although salaries appear to have increased over time
for the overall profession there is not a considerable differ-
ence between the average hourly wages of laboratory pro-
fessionals working as they accumulate more years of
experience in the field Table 13 For example the average
hourly wage for HTs for the first 5 years is $2277 It was
found that HTs received a pay raise after 6 to 10 years of
work experience earning an average of $2525 per hour
However it appears that there is a wage cap around $2800
per hour for HTs with more than 16 years of experience
$1635
$1607
$1575
$1565
$1506
$1498
$1488
$1483
$1413
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600 $1650
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Overall Hourly Wage for PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 23 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) phlebotomist (PBT) respondents by facility
$1584
$1557
$1548
$1476
$1468
$1466
$1465
$1450
$1426
$1375
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonp t
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 22 Average hourly wage of staff phlebotomists (PBTs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 353DOI 101093ajcpaqw220353Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
For MLTsCLTs the average hourly wage is $1889 for the
first 5 years of experience While MLTsCLTs tended to re-
ceive an increased hourly wage for every 5 years of work
experience those working for 36 to 40 years only earn
$718 per hour more than those with 0 to 5 years of experi-
ence On average PBTs earn $1361 per hour for 0 to 5
years of experience with an average of approximately
$100 for every 5 years of experience The survey has also
revealed a potential wage cap around $1800 per hour for
PBTs with more than 20 years of experience
This year we also looked at the average wage of labo-
ratory professionals based on age and found that salaries
continue to increase considerably for every age range except
LAs and PBTs Table 14 MLSsMTsCLSs aged 55 years
and older experience a wage cap at $3282
In addition to analyzing wages this survey also asked
questions to gain an in-depth perspective on the laboratory
workforce The US Department of Laborrsquos Bureau of Labor
Statistics reported that the job outlook for medical and
clinical laboratory technologists and technicians between
2014 and 2024 is expected to grow 16 which is faster
than the average rate1 Figure 8 suggests strategic focus on
recruitment and supports the results of the ASCP 2014
Vacancy Survey (httpajcpascpjournalsorgcontent
1443432fullpdf) on filling the upcoming vacancies
Results show that laboratory professionals are aging and
therefore the field needs to fill the vacancies with
qualified laboratory professionals There is also a need for
recruiting younger laboratory professionals because ac-
cording to the survey results the youngest group are the
PAs with an average age of 3947 years Recruitment
Table 9Average Annual Salaries for Phlebotomists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Phlebotomist Hourly Wage
Washington $1839
Massachusetts $1819
Minnesota $1807
Oregon $1778
Maryland $1720
New York $1639
Virginia $1628
Wisconsin $1610
Montana $1607
Pennsylvania $1586
Illinois $1570
Colorado $1523
Texas $1505
North Carolina $1449
South Carolina $1444
Florida $1428
Indiana $1406
Ohio $1404
Georgia $1377
Missouri $1361
Tennessee $1332
Michigan $1325
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Table 10Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Staff
Between 2013 and 2015a
Staff 2015 2013 Change
CG $3110 $2863 86
CT $3239 $3145 30
MLSMTCLS $2790 $2713 28
LA $1645 $1603 26
MLTCLT $2089 $2049 20
HT $2441 $2396 19
MB $2745 $2696 18
SBB $2851 $2807 15
HTL $2682 $2663 07
PBT $1497 $1560 40
PA $4330 $4632 65
PI or QA $3837 NA NA
LIS $3361 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 11Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Leads
Between 2013 and 2015a
Lead 2015 2013 Change
CG $3551 $3222 1022
HTL $3051 $2876 607
MLTCLT $2355 $2238 522
HT $2801 $2681 448
MLSMTCLS $3154 $3081 236
PBT $1696 $1671 149
CT $3474 $3520 130
SBB $3105 $3211 331
LA $1782 NA NA
MB $3465 NA NA
PA $4781 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 12Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for
Supervisors Between 2013 and 2015a
Supervisor 2015 2013 Change
MLTCLT $2533 $2260 1210
PA $5158 $4874 583
MLSMTCLS $3343 $3282 187
SBB $3443 $3444 ndash004
CT $3695 $3709 ndash038
HTL $3191 $3241 ndash155
HT $3073 $3129 ndash180
CG $3863 $3995 ndash332
MB $3866 NA NA
PBT $2108 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
354 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology354 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
should focus on the following occupational titles CT
HTL MLSMTCLS PI or QA SBB administration and
LIS as their average ages are higher compared with the
national average (Figure 8)
In addition to recruitment retention warrants the same
focus According to Rex Famitangco2 chair of the ASCP
Council of Laboratory Professionals (CLP) ldquoStriving to re-
tain quality staff is a vital part of maintaining a laboratoryrsquos
Table 13Total Years of Experience at Current Occupational Title by Average Hourly Wagea
Time in Current Title y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PA PBT
0-5 $2620 $2833 $2277 $2469 $1516 $1889 $2527 $2621 $4300 $1361
6-10 $3007 $3093 $2525 $2772 $1700 $2089 $2798 $2991 $4489 $1469
11-15 $3304 $3215 $2657 $2952 $1745 $2209 $2979 NA $4693 $1662
16-20 $3593 $3579 $2871 NA NA $2366 $3050 NA NA $1725
21-25 $3718 $3681 $2883 NA NA $2412 $3155 NA NA $1827
26-30 $3835 $3834 $2825 $3279 NA $2512 $3257 NA NA $1810
31-35 NA $3580 NA NA NA $2588 $3308 NA NA NA
36-40 NA $3585 NA NA NA $2607 $3316 NA NA NA
41thorn NA NA NA NA NA $3281 $3281 NA NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PI or QA staff were not included due to its small sample size
Table 14Age by Average Hourly Wagea
Age y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PBT
18-24 NA NA NA NA NA $1760 $2270 NA $1316
25-34 $2823 $2881 $2330 $2446 $1677 $1945 $2545 $2591 $1439
35-44 $3203 $3236 $2575 $2867 $1700 $2085 $2861 $3033 $1508
45-54 $3631 $3449 $2720 $2890 $1704 $2296 $3120 NA $1609
55-64 NA $3703 $2751 $3206 $1794 $2465 $3282 NA $1737
65-74 NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
75thorn NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PAs were not included due to its small sample size
Table 15Percent of Responses per BenefitPerk Offered by Institution
Perks Offered by Institution Total of Responses per Category
Medicalvision benefits 8818
Dental benefits 8469
Pensionretirement benefits 6704
Free or convenient employee parking 6688
Premium pay for overtime holidays and weekends 5947
Paying for continuing education 3957
Paying for tuition 3885
Flexible work hours 2497
Miscellaneous bonuses (eg tied to work company performance etc) 2485
Bonuses not directly tied to work (including holidays and profit-sharing bonuses) 2299
On-call pay 1961
Paying for certifications or qualifications 1720
Monetary bonus (eg sign-on bonus referral bonus miscellaneous bonuses) 1684
Transportation allowances 1174
Paying for professional memberships 1035
Daycare 780
Uniform allowances 700
Laptop or tablet 682
Providing a company phone for you 546
Free or subsidized room and board 086
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 355DOI 101093ajcpaqw220355Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
functionalityrdquo Employee development such as training
continuing education and mentoring can prove beneficial in
retaining staff2 Survey respondents were asked about the
benefits and perks they receive from their institution
and medicaldentalvision pensionretirement overtime
holidayweekends and employee parking were the top
fringe benefits they receive Paying for continuing educa-
tion certifications professional memberships and day care
were among the benefits that are not provided to many labo-
ratory professionals Table 15
Last this survey asked the respondents to provide com-
ments after the completion of the survey We received a total
of 2230 comments and found that 2762 addressed being un-
derpaidunderappreciated 2166 of them addressed the need
for increased wages andraises 1493 provided suggestions
for future surveys 3018 expressed appreciation for the
opportunity this survey provides in giving the laboratory pro-
fessionals a platform to encourage advocacy and 561 were
categorized as ldquoOtherrdquo Institutions are encouraged to take into
consideration laboratory professionalsrsquo compensation and base
their pay on level of education training years of experience
and cost of living as well as making their pay comparable to
other allied health professionals with higher salaries
Corresponding author Edna Garcia MPH 1225 New York Ave
NW Ste 350 Washington DC 20009 ednagarciaascporg
Contributors Carter Ainsworth ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Andrea Bennett MPH
MT (ASCP) ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp Policy
Washington DC Matthew Schulze ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Patricia Tanabe MPA
MLS (ASCP)CM ASCP Board of Certification Chicago IL and
Elizabeth Waibel MPH ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp
Policy Washington DC
Reviewers Mark Bailey MA HTL (ASCP)CM The University
of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Alexandra
Brown MD FASCP ASCP Institute of Science Technology and
Policy Washington DC Lynnette G Chakkaphak MS MT
(ASCP) St Vincentrsquos HealthCare Jacksonville FL Vicki S
Freeman PhD MASCP MLS (ASCP)CM SCCM FACB The
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Jack A Hager
MT (ASCP) SBB Oregon Health and Science University
Portland Rex F Famitangco MS MLS (ASCP)CM QLC MT
(AMT) CLC AHI Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff Carlo Joseph Ledesma MT (ASCP) Rose State
College Midwest City OK and Babatunde Oloyede PhD MLS
(ASCP) Federal Medical Center Durham NC
References
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbookhttpwwwblsgovoohhealthcaremedical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicianshtm Accessed July 182016
2 Famitangco R Investing in employees investing in the futureCrit Values 2016910-12
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
356 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology356 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
The average age for all MLTCLT respondents is 4101 years
younger than the national average (Figure 8)
According to survey results the blood bank department
paid MLTsCLTs the highest at an average of $2328 per hour
and allmultiple departments the lowest at $2064 per hour
Figure 15 Geographically MLTsCLTs regardless of posi-
tion level are paid significantly higher wages in California
and lowest in Alabama Table 7 Overall MLTsCLTs have
an average of 1214 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and have been working in their current title for 887
years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities de-
partment and states for leads supervisors managers and
directors was not performed due to the small sample size
(lt30) of each level For the same reason average age by
state was not analyzed
Medical Laboratory ScientistsMedical Technologists
Clinical Laboratory Scientists
Staff-level MLSsMTsCLSs are paid a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $2790 ($678 Figure 7) Pay rates for staff
are highest at government facilities at $2990 per hour
and lowest at physiciansrsquo office laboratories (POLs) at
$2502 per hour Figure 16 The mean age for staff MLSs
MTsCLSs is 4196 years Geographically MLTsCLTs
are the oldest in New Hampshire and the youngest in South
Dakota Figure 17
$2328 $2308
$2260
$2149 $2133 $2129 $2119
$2064
$1900
$1950
$2000
$2050
$2100
$2150
$2200
$2250
$2300
$2350
Ave
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Departments
Figure 15 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) medical laboratory technicianclinical labora-
tory technician (MLTCLT) respondents by department
Table 7Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Technicians
Clinical Laboratory Technicians by State From Highest to
Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory Technician
Clinical Laboratory Technician Hourly Wage
California $2927
Massachusetts $2526
Washington $2460
New York $2449
Maryland $2428
Arizona $2367
Colorado $2305
Minnesota $2265
Pennsylvania $2239
Nebraska $2193
Virginia $2188
Wisconsin $2156
Indiana $2120
Illinois $2120
Ohio $2101
Georgia $2076
Iowa $2074
Texas $2060
Michigan $2055
Kentucky $2041
Tennessee $2020
Missouri $2014
Kansas $1996
North Carolina $1857
Mississippi $1808
South Carolina $1787
Alabama $1775
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
346 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology346 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
MLSMTCLS leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3154 ($735 Figure 7) Academic hospitals with 300 to
499 beds pay a significantly high hourly rate for lead MLSs
MTsCLSs compared with all facilities surveyed at $3335
The facility providing the lowest pay is the POL at $2771 per
hour Figure 18 They have an average age of 4597 years
MLSMTCLS supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly
rate of $3343 ($900 Figure 7) Results indicate that refer-
enceindependent laboratories pay the highest hourly wage
at $3622 whereas POLs pay $2871 per hour Figure 19
This group has an average age of 4834 years
The mean (SD) hourly wage for MLSMTCLS managers
is $3313 ($952 Figure 7) Pay rates for managers are highest
at referenceindependent laboratories at $4463 per hour fol-
lowed by academic hospitals with over 500 beds at $4242
nonacademic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $4130 nonac-
ademic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds at $4041 POLs at
$3653 and academic hospitals with fewer than 100 beds
at $3125 per hour Results indicate that managers have an
average age of 5017 years
MLSMTCLS directors earn a mean (SD) hourly wage
of $3799 ($1519 Figure 7) The average annual wages of
MLSsMTsCLSs by job level are listed in Table 2
Directors have an average age of 5186 years
MLSMTCLS respondents regardless of level are
paid the lowest in blood centers at $2623 per hour and
highest in government facilities at $3279 per hour
Figure 20 The average age for all MLSMTCLS re-
spondents is 4436 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8)
Survey results indicate that the LIS-QA-PI department
pays the highest at $3516 and the generalists department
pays the lowest at $2791 on average per hour Figure 21
The top 10 highest-paying states for all MLSMTCLS
levels are California Nevada Oregon Massachusetts
Connecticut Washington New York Arizona Minnesota
and Colorado Table 8 According to survey results MLSs
MTsCLSs have an average of 1596 years of total experience
in the laboratory field and have been working in their current
occupational title for 1038 years (Figures 9 and 10)
$2990
$2870
$2861
$2848
$2834
$2821
$2816
$2807
$2790
$2784
$2779
$2776
$2752
$2697
$2656
$2635
$2579
$2502
$22 $23 $24 $25 $26 $27 $28 $29 $30
Government
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Private industry
Reference
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Military VA VHA
Nonp t
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Blood center
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Staff MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 16 Average hourly wage of staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 347DOI 101093ajcpaqw220347Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
The overall sample size (lt30) for all occupational lev-
els was too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay
rates by all facilities and departments surveyed For the
same reason average age by state for leads supervisors and
directors was not analyzed
Molecular Biologists
The mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level MBs is
$2745 ($828 Figure 7) According to survey results staff
MBs have an average age of 3841 years
Lead-level MBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3465
($844 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4341 years
MB supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3866 ($1233
Figure 7) The average annual wages of MBs by job level are
listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervisors have an aver-
age age of 4216 years and managers of 3896 years
Most of the MB respondents are found in the molecular
pathology (pathgen) department and are paid an average
hourly wage of $2963 The average age for all MB respon-
dents is 4004 years which is younger than the national av-
erage (Figure 8) According to survey results MBs have
849 total years of experience working in the laboratory
field and an average of 556 years working in their current
occupational title the least number of years of experience
and working in their current title among all the groups sur-
veyed (Figures 9 and 10)
Results regarding the wage differences between
laboratory facilities and states for MBs do not allow for
480
5
467
9
463
9
455
2
454
7
454
0
452
3
450
6
449
8
447
6
443
6
438
9
436
3
436
1
435
0
434
2
431
0
426
8
425
6
424
3
422
8
422
0
420
8
418
8
418
4
417
2
415
7
411
7
408
8
407
0
402
1
401
3
401
2
397
2
396
2
390
6
387
2
377
1
371
2
369
7
360
0
359
3
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50A
ve
rag
e A
ge
(y)
States
Figure 17 Average ages for staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists (MLSsMTs
CLSs) by state Sample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
348 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology348 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
statistically significant comparisons because respondents
in the survey had a small sample size For the same
reason average ages by state of each level were not
analyzed
Pathologistsrsquo Assistants
The mean (SD) national hourly wage for staff-level
PAs is $4330 ($1291 Figure 7) The mean age for staff
PAs is 3783 years
$3335
$3314
$3301
$3282
$3229
$3205
$3197
$3197
$3130
$3035
$3018
$2937
$2914
$2771
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Military VA VHA
No t
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Average Hourly Wage for Lead MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 18 Average hourly wage of lead medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
$3622
$3563
$3558
$3473
$3456
$3354
$3152
$2871
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35 $40
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Supervisor MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 19 Average hourly wage of supervisor medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
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by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Lead PAs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $4781
($827 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4226 years The
mean (SD) hourly wage for PA supervisors is $5158
($1088 Figure 7) The average annual wages of PAs by
job level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervi-
sors have an average age of 4107 years and managers of
4706 years
PA respondents were mostly found in the anatomic pa-
thology departments which pays them an average salary of
$4312 per hour According to survey results PAs are the
youngest laboratory professionals with an average age of
3947 years which is younger than the national average
(Figure 8) Overall PAs have an average of 1058 total years
of experience in the laboratory field and 794 years in their
current title (Figures 9 and 10)
We did not perform analysis of wage data by facility
and state for PAs because the results would provide statisti-
cally insignificant values due to the small sample size For
the same reason average ages by state of each level were
not analyzed
Performance Improvement or Quality Assurance
The mean (SD) hourly wage for PI or QA staff is
$3837 ($913 Figure 7) The average age of staff PI or QA
is 4902 years Manager-level PI or QA staff are paid a
mean (SD) hourly rate of $4225 ($1042 Figure 7) The av-
erage annual wages of PI or QA staff by job level are listed
in Table 2 The mean age for managers is 4674 years
The department where most PI or QA personnel were
found is the LIS-QA-PI This department pays an average
hourly wage of $3378 Results indicate that leads have an
average age of 4593 years supervisors 4877 years and di-
rectors 5670 years The average age for all PI or QA re-
spondents is 4864 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8) According to survey results PI or QA
staff have an average of 1291 years of total experience in
the laboratory field and 692 years working in their current
occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of overall mean hourly wage for leads supervi-
sors and directors as well as average hourly wages paid by
facilities and states for PI or QA staff was not performed due
$3279
$3064
$3002
$2998
$2981
$2929
$2922
$2918
$2908
$2906
$2904
$2878
$2855
$2804
$2801
$2785
$2783
$2775
$2769
$2640
$2623
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Government
Military VA VHA
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Reference
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonp t
Community-based
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Public health laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Private industry
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Blood center
Average Hourly Wage for All MLSMTCLS Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 20 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
350 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology350 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
to the small sample size (lt30) of each level For the same rea-
son average ages by state of each level were not analyzed
Phlebotomists
Staff PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1497
($342 Figure 7) Results indicate that academic hospitals
with over 500 beds pay the highest hourly wage at $1584
and that hospitals with fewer than 100 beds pay the lowest
hourly wage at $1375 Figure 22 The overall sample size
(lt30) for this occupational level was too small for meaning-
ful statistical analysis of pay rates by all institutions sur-
veyed The data indicate that the average age for staff PBTs
is 4179 years
Lead PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1696
($344 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4322 years PBT man-
agers earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $2108 ($701 Figure
7) The average annual wages of PBTs by job level are listed
in Table 2 This group has an average age of 4428 years
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities for
leads supervisors managers and directors was not per-
formed due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level
But overall academic hospitals with over 500 beds pay the
highest hourly wage at $1635 and academic hospitals with
less than 100 beds at $1413 for PBTs Figure 23
Geographically PBTs regardless of position level are paid
a significantly higher wage in Washington State and lowest
in Michigan Table 9
Most PBT respondents are found in the phlebotomy and
allmultiple departments They are paid an average hourly
wage of $1546 and $1527 respectively The average age
for all PBT respondents is 4212 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8) Overall PBTs have an
average of 1160 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and 824 years working in their current title (Figures 9
and 10)
Analysis of the average age for PBT managers and directors
was not performed due to the small sample size For the same
reason analysis of average age by state was not performed
Specialists in Blood Banking
Staff-level SBBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $2851
($946 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4558 years
SBB leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3105
($610 Figure 7) Data indicate that the average age for lead
SBBs is 4242 years SBB supervisors earn a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $3443 ($637 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4924
years The mean (SD) hourly wage for SBB managers is $4505
($996 Figure 7) The average annual wages of SBBs by job
level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that the average age
for managers is 4979 years while directors are at 5171 years
Most SBB respondents are found in the blood bank de-
partment which pays them an average hourly wage of
$3137 The average age for all SBB respondents is 4767
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
$3516
$3211 $3106 $3099 $3031 $3002 $3001 $2981 $2908 $2845 $2834 $2791
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40A
ve
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Figure 21 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by department
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 351DOI 101093ajcpaqw220351Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Results show that SBBs have an average of 1700 years of
total experience working in the field and have been working
in their current title for 872 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility and state as well as
average age by state for SBBs was not performed because
the results would provide statistically insignificant values
For the same reason average ages by state of each level
were not analyzed
Administration
The mean (SD) hourly wage for administration man-
agers is $4315 ($1101 Figure 7) The average age of man-
agers is 5157 years Administration directors earn a mean
(SD) hourly wage of $5910 ($2122 Figure 7) The average
annual wages of administrative personnel by job level are
listed in Table 2 Data indicate that the average age for di-
rectors is 5504 years
Administrative personnel are the oldest group of labora-
tory professionals with an overall average age of 5362
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
Overall administrative personnel have an average of 1606
total years of experience in the laboratory field and 952
years in their current occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was not performed
Laboratory Information Systems
Staff-level LIS personnel are paid a mean (SD) hourly
wage of $3361 ($704 Figure 7) The mean age for LIS
staff is 4820 years
Leads have an average age of 5167 years supervisors
5263 years and managers 5067 years The average age for
all LIS respondents is 4973 years which is older than the
national average (Figure 8) According to survey results
LIS personnel have an average of 1470 years of total expe-
rience in the laboratory field and have been working in their
current title for 859 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was performed
Summary
Compared with the 2013 ASCP wage survey salaries are
up for all staff-level laboratory professionals except PBTs and
PAs who have a ndash40 and ndash650 change in annual hourly
wage respectively Table 10 The annual hourly wages for
leads were also up in 2015 except for CTs (ndash130) and
SBBs (ndash331) Table 11 Supervisorsrsquo annual hourly wages
however are down except for MLTsCLTs PAs and MLSs
MTsCLSs at 1210 583 and 187 respectively
Table 12 Manager- and director-level comparisons were not
conducted due to small sample size LAs and PBTs regardless
of level continue to have lower salaries while PAs and
administration personnel have higher salaries than the rest of
the laboratory professions surveyed
Table 8Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Scientists
Medical TechnologistsClinical Laboratory Scientists by State
From Highest to Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory ScientistMedical
TechnologistClinical Laboratory Scientist Hourly Wage
California $4620
Nevada $3494
Oregon $3324
Massachusetts $3262
Connecticut $3253
Washington $3190
New York $3087
Arizona $3082
Minnesota $3060
Colorado $3054
New Jersey $3020
New Hampshire $2999
Maryland $2933
Georgia $2881
Idaho $2814
Montana $2795
Kansas $2753
New Mexico $2737
Missouri $2735
South Carolina $2729
Pennsylvania $2728
Wisconsin $2725
Florida $2710
Kentucky $2697
Virginia $2697
Indiana $2694
Ohio $2687
Illinois $2683
Texas $2682
Nebraska $2679
Michigan $2615
Maine $2605
Tennessee $2597
Oklahoma $2589
Louisiana $2585
Iowa $2579
West Virginia $2568
North Carolina $2499
Utah $2487
Mississippi $2461
North Dakota $2458
Alabama $2457
Arkansas $2444
South Dakota $2441
Puerto Rico $1526
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
352 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology352 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Although salaries appear to have increased over time
for the overall profession there is not a considerable differ-
ence between the average hourly wages of laboratory pro-
fessionals working as they accumulate more years of
experience in the field Table 13 For example the average
hourly wage for HTs for the first 5 years is $2277 It was
found that HTs received a pay raise after 6 to 10 years of
work experience earning an average of $2525 per hour
However it appears that there is a wage cap around $2800
per hour for HTs with more than 16 years of experience
$1635
$1607
$1575
$1565
$1506
$1498
$1488
$1483
$1413
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600 $1650
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Overall Hourly Wage for PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 23 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) phlebotomist (PBT) respondents by facility
$1584
$1557
$1548
$1476
$1468
$1466
$1465
$1450
$1426
$1375
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonp t
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 22 Average hourly wage of staff phlebotomists (PBTs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 353DOI 101093ajcpaqw220353Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
For MLTsCLTs the average hourly wage is $1889 for the
first 5 years of experience While MLTsCLTs tended to re-
ceive an increased hourly wage for every 5 years of work
experience those working for 36 to 40 years only earn
$718 per hour more than those with 0 to 5 years of experi-
ence On average PBTs earn $1361 per hour for 0 to 5
years of experience with an average of approximately
$100 for every 5 years of experience The survey has also
revealed a potential wage cap around $1800 per hour for
PBTs with more than 20 years of experience
This year we also looked at the average wage of labo-
ratory professionals based on age and found that salaries
continue to increase considerably for every age range except
LAs and PBTs Table 14 MLSsMTsCLSs aged 55 years
and older experience a wage cap at $3282
In addition to analyzing wages this survey also asked
questions to gain an in-depth perspective on the laboratory
workforce The US Department of Laborrsquos Bureau of Labor
Statistics reported that the job outlook for medical and
clinical laboratory technologists and technicians between
2014 and 2024 is expected to grow 16 which is faster
than the average rate1 Figure 8 suggests strategic focus on
recruitment and supports the results of the ASCP 2014
Vacancy Survey (httpajcpascpjournalsorgcontent
1443432fullpdf) on filling the upcoming vacancies
Results show that laboratory professionals are aging and
therefore the field needs to fill the vacancies with
qualified laboratory professionals There is also a need for
recruiting younger laboratory professionals because ac-
cording to the survey results the youngest group are the
PAs with an average age of 3947 years Recruitment
Table 9Average Annual Salaries for Phlebotomists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Phlebotomist Hourly Wage
Washington $1839
Massachusetts $1819
Minnesota $1807
Oregon $1778
Maryland $1720
New York $1639
Virginia $1628
Wisconsin $1610
Montana $1607
Pennsylvania $1586
Illinois $1570
Colorado $1523
Texas $1505
North Carolina $1449
South Carolina $1444
Florida $1428
Indiana $1406
Ohio $1404
Georgia $1377
Missouri $1361
Tennessee $1332
Michigan $1325
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Table 10Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Staff
Between 2013 and 2015a
Staff 2015 2013 Change
CG $3110 $2863 86
CT $3239 $3145 30
MLSMTCLS $2790 $2713 28
LA $1645 $1603 26
MLTCLT $2089 $2049 20
HT $2441 $2396 19
MB $2745 $2696 18
SBB $2851 $2807 15
HTL $2682 $2663 07
PBT $1497 $1560 40
PA $4330 $4632 65
PI or QA $3837 NA NA
LIS $3361 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 11Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Leads
Between 2013 and 2015a
Lead 2015 2013 Change
CG $3551 $3222 1022
HTL $3051 $2876 607
MLTCLT $2355 $2238 522
HT $2801 $2681 448
MLSMTCLS $3154 $3081 236
PBT $1696 $1671 149
CT $3474 $3520 130
SBB $3105 $3211 331
LA $1782 NA NA
MB $3465 NA NA
PA $4781 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 12Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for
Supervisors Between 2013 and 2015a
Supervisor 2015 2013 Change
MLTCLT $2533 $2260 1210
PA $5158 $4874 583
MLSMTCLS $3343 $3282 187
SBB $3443 $3444 ndash004
CT $3695 $3709 ndash038
HTL $3191 $3241 ndash155
HT $3073 $3129 ndash180
CG $3863 $3995 ndash332
MB $3866 NA NA
PBT $2108 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
354 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology354 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
should focus on the following occupational titles CT
HTL MLSMTCLS PI or QA SBB administration and
LIS as their average ages are higher compared with the
national average (Figure 8)
In addition to recruitment retention warrants the same
focus According to Rex Famitangco2 chair of the ASCP
Council of Laboratory Professionals (CLP) ldquoStriving to re-
tain quality staff is a vital part of maintaining a laboratoryrsquos
Table 13Total Years of Experience at Current Occupational Title by Average Hourly Wagea
Time in Current Title y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PA PBT
0-5 $2620 $2833 $2277 $2469 $1516 $1889 $2527 $2621 $4300 $1361
6-10 $3007 $3093 $2525 $2772 $1700 $2089 $2798 $2991 $4489 $1469
11-15 $3304 $3215 $2657 $2952 $1745 $2209 $2979 NA $4693 $1662
16-20 $3593 $3579 $2871 NA NA $2366 $3050 NA NA $1725
21-25 $3718 $3681 $2883 NA NA $2412 $3155 NA NA $1827
26-30 $3835 $3834 $2825 $3279 NA $2512 $3257 NA NA $1810
31-35 NA $3580 NA NA NA $2588 $3308 NA NA NA
36-40 NA $3585 NA NA NA $2607 $3316 NA NA NA
41thorn NA NA NA NA NA $3281 $3281 NA NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PI or QA staff were not included due to its small sample size
Table 14Age by Average Hourly Wagea
Age y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PBT
18-24 NA NA NA NA NA $1760 $2270 NA $1316
25-34 $2823 $2881 $2330 $2446 $1677 $1945 $2545 $2591 $1439
35-44 $3203 $3236 $2575 $2867 $1700 $2085 $2861 $3033 $1508
45-54 $3631 $3449 $2720 $2890 $1704 $2296 $3120 NA $1609
55-64 NA $3703 $2751 $3206 $1794 $2465 $3282 NA $1737
65-74 NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
75thorn NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PAs were not included due to its small sample size
Table 15Percent of Responses per BenefitPerk Offered by Institution
Perks Offered by Institution Total of Responses per Category
Medicalvision benefits 8818
Dental benefits 8469
Pensionretirement benefits 6704
Free or convenient employee parking 6688
Premium pay for overtime holidays and weekends 5947
Paying for continuing education 3957
Paying for tuition 3885
Flexible work hours 2497
Miscellaneous bonuses (eg tied to work company performance etc) 2485
Bonuses not directly tied to work (including holidays and profit-sharing bonuses) 2299
On-call pay 1961
Paying for certifications or qualifications 1720
Monetary bonus (eg sign-on bonus referral bonus miscellaneous bonuses) 1684
Transportation allowances 1174
Paying for professional memberships 1035
Daycare 780
Uniform allowances 700
Laptop or tablet 682
Providing a company phone for you 546
Free or subsidized room and board 086
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 355DOI 101093ajcpaqw220355Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
functionalityrdquo Employee development such as training
continuing education and mentoring can prove beneficial in
retaining staff2 Survey respondents were asked about the
benefits and perks they receive from their institution
and medicaldentalvision pensionretirement overtime
holidayweekends and employee parking were the top
fringe benefits they receive Paying for continuing educa-
tion certifications professional memberships and day care
were among the benefits that are not provided to many labo-
ratory professionals Table 15
Last this survey asked the respondents to provide com-
ments after the completion of the survey We received a total
of 2230 comments and found that 2762 addressed being un-
derpaidunderappreciated 2166 of them addressed the need
for increased wages andraises 1493 provided suggestions
for future surveys 3018 expressed appreciation for the
opportunity this survey provides in giving the laboratory pro-
fessionals a platform to encourage advocacy and 561 were
categorized as ldquoOtherrdquo Institutions are encouraged to take into
consideration laboratory professionalsrsquo compensation and base
their pay on level of education training years of experience
and cost of living as well as making their pay comparable to
other allied health professionals with higher salaries
Corresponding author Edna Garcia MPH 1225 New York Ave
NW Ste 350 Washington DC 20009 ednagarciaascporg
Contributors Carter Ainsworth ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Andrea Bennett MPH
MT (ASCP) ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp Policy
Washington DC Matthew Schulze ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Patricia Tanabe MPA
MLS (ASCP)CM ASCP Board of Certification Chicago IL and
Elizabeth Waibel MPH ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp
Policy Washington DC
Reviewers Mark Bailey MA HTL (ASCP)CM The University
of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Alexandra
Brown MD FASCP ASCP Institute of Science Technology and
Policy Washington DC Lynnette G Chakkaphak MS MT
(ASCP) St Vincentrsquos HealthCare Jacksonville FL Vicki S
Freeman PhD MASCP MLS (ASCP)CM SCCM FACB The
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Jack A Hager
MT (ASCP) SBB Oregon Health and Science University
Portland Rex F Famitangco MS MLS (ASCP)CM QLC MT
(AMT) CLC AHI Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff Carlo Joseph Ledesma MT (ASCP) Rose State
College Midwest City OK and Babatunde Oloyede PhD MLS
(ASCP) Federal Medical Center Durham NC
References
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbookhttpwwwblsgovoohhealthcaremedical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicianshtm Accessed July 182016
2 Famitangco R Investing in employees investing in the futureCrit Values 2016910-12
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
356 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology356 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
MLSMTCLS leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of
$3154 ($735 Figure 7) Academic hospitals with 300 to
499 beds pay a significantly high hourly rate for lead MLSs
MTsCLSs compared with all facilities surveyed at $3335
The facility providing the lowest pay is the POL at $2771 per
hour Figure 18 They have an average age of 4597 years
MLSMTCLS supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly
rate of $3343 ($900 Figure 7) Results indicate that refer-
enceindependent laboratories pay the highest hourly wage
at $3622 whereas POLs pay $2871 per hour Figure 19
This group has an average age of 4834 years
The mean (SD) hourly wage for MLSMTCLS managers
is $3313 ($952 Figure 7) Pay rates for managers are highest
at referenceindependent laboratories at $4463 per hour fol-
lowed by academic hospitals with over 500 beds at $4242
nonacademic hospitals with 300 to 499 beds at $4130 nonac-
ademic hospitals with 100 to 299 beds at $4041 POLs at
$3653 and academic hospitals with fewer than 100 beds
at $3125 per hour Results indicate that managers have an
average age of 5017 years
MLSMTCLS directors earn a mean (SD) hourly wage
of $3799 ($1519 Figure 7) The average annual wages of
MLSsMTsCLSs by job level are listed in Table 2
Directors have an average age of 5186 years
MLSMTCLS respondents regardless of level are
paid the lowest in blood centers at $2623 per hour and
highest in government facilities at $3279 per hour
Figure 20 The average age for all MLSMTCLS re-
spondents is 4436 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8)
Survey results indicate that the LIS-QA-PI department
pays the highest at $3516 and the generalists department
pays the lowest at $2791 on average per hour Figure 21
The top 10 highest-paying states for all MLSMTCLS
levels are California Nevada Oregon Massachusetts
Connecticut Washington New York Arizona Minnesota
and Colorado Table 8 According to survey results MLSs
MTsCLSs have an average of 1596 years of total experience
in the laboratory field and have been working in their current
occupational title for 1038 years (Figures 9 and 10)
$2990
$2870
$2861
$2848
$2834
$2821
$2816
$2807
$2790
$2784
$2779
$2776
$2752
$2697
$2656
$2635
$2579
$2502
$22 $23 $24 $25 $26 $27 $28 $29 $30
Government
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Private industry
Reference
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Military VA VHA
Nonp t
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Blood center
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Staff MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 16 Average hourly wage of staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 347DOI 101093ajcpaqw220347Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
The overall sample size (lt30) for all occupational lev-
els was too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay
rates by all facilities and departments surveyed For the
same reason average age by state for leads supervisors and
directors was not analyzed
Molecular Biologists
The mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level MBs is
$2745 ($828 Figure 7) According to survey results staff
MBs have an average age of 3841 years
Lead-level MBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3465
($844 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4341 years
MB supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3866 ($1233
Figure 7) The average annual wages of MBs by job level are
listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervisors have an aver-
age age of 4216 years and managers of 3896 years
Most of the MB respondents are found in the molecular
pathology (pathgen) department and are paid an average
hourly wage of $2963 The average age for all MB respon-
dents is 4004 years which is younger than the national av-
erage (Figure 8) According to survey results MBs have
849 total years of experience working in the laboratory
field and an average of 556 years working in their current
occupational title the least number of years of experience
and working in their current title among all the groups sur-
veyed (Figures 9 and 10)
Results regarding the wage differences between
laboratory facilities and states for MBs do not allow for
480
5
467
9
463
9
455
2
454
7
454
0
452
3
450
6
449
8
447
6
443
6
438
9
436
3
436
1
435
0
434
2
431
0
426
8
425
6
424
3
422
8
422
0
420
8
418
8
418
4
417
2
415
7
411
7
408
8
407
0
402
1
401
3
401
2
397
2
396
2
390
6
387
2
377
1
371
2
369
7
360
0
359
3
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50A
ve
rag
e A
ge
(y)
States
Figure 17 Average ages for staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists (MLSsMTs
CLSs) by state Sample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
348 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology348 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
statistically significant comparisons because respondents
in the survey had a small sample size For the same
reason average ages by state of each level were not
analyzed
Pathologistsrsquo Assistants
The mean (SD) national hourly wage for staff-level
PAs is $4330 ($1291 Figure 7) The mean age for staff
PAs is 3783 years
$3335
$3314
$3301
$3282
$3229
$3205
$3197
$3197
$3130
$3035
$3018
$2937
$2914
$2771
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Military VA VHA
No t
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Average Hourly Wage for Lead MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 18 Average hourly wage of lead medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
$3622
$3563
$3558
$3473
$3456
$3354
$3152
$2871
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35 $40
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Supervisor MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 19 Average hourly wage of supervisor medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
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by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Lead PAs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $4781
($827 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4226 years The
mean (SD) hourly wage for PA supervisors is $5158
($1088 Figure 7) The average annual wages of PAs by
job level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervi-
sors have an average age of 4107 years and managers of
4706 years
PA respondents were mostly found in the anatomic pa-
thology departments which pays them an average salary of
$4312 per hour According to survey results PAs are the
youngest laboratory professionals with an average age of
3947 years which is younger than the national average
(Figure 8) Overall PAs have an average of 1058 total years
of experience in the laboratory field and 794 years in their
current title (Figures 9 and 10)
We did not perform analysis of wage data by facility
and state for PAs because the results would provide statisti-
cally insignificant values due to the small sample size For
the same reason average ages by state of each level were
not analyzed
Performance Improvement or Quality Assurance
The mean (SD) hourly wage for PI or QA staff is
$3837 ($913 Figure 7) The average age of staff PI or QA
is 4902 years Manager-level PI or QA staff are paid a
mean (SD) hourly rate of $4225 ($1042 Figure 7) The av-
erage annual wages of PI or QA staff by job level are listed
in Table 2 The mean age for managers is 4674 years
The department where most PI or QA personnel were
found is the LIS-QA-PI This department pays an average
hourly wage of $3378 Results indicate that leads have an
average age of 4593 years supervisors 4877 years and di-
rectors 5670 years The average age for all PI or QA re-
spondents is 4864 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8) According to survey results PI or QA
staff have an average of 1291 years of total experience in
the laboratory field and 692 years working in their current
occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of overall mean hourly wage for leads supervi-
sors and directors as well as average hourly wages paid by
facilities and states for PI or QA staff was not performed due
$3279
$3064
$3002
$2998
$2981
$2929
$2922
$2918
$2908
$2906
$2904
$2878
$2855
$2804
$2801
$2785
$2783
$2775
$2769
$2640
$2623
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Government
Military VA VHA
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Reference
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonp t
Community-based
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Public health laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Private industry
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Blood center
Average Hourly Wage for All MLSMTCLS Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 20 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
350 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology350 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
to the small sample size (lt30) of each level For the same rea-
son average ages by state of each level were not analyzed
Phlebotomists
Staff PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1497
($342 Figure 7) Results indicate that academic hospitals
with over 500 beds pay the highest hourly wage at $1584
and that hospitals with fewer than 100 beds pay the lowest
hourly wage at $1375 Figure 22 The overall sample size
(lt30) for this occupational level was too small for meaning-
ful statistical analysis of pay rates by all institutions sur-
veyed The data indicate that the average age for staff PBTs
is 4179 years
Lead PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1696
($344 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4322 years PBT man-
agers earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $2108 ($701 Figure
7) The average annual wages of PBTs by job level are listed
in Table 2 This group has an average age of 4428 years
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities for
leads supervisors managers and directors was not per-
formed due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level
But overall academic hospitals with over 500 beds pay the
highest hourly wage at $1635 and academic hospitals with
less than 100 beds at $1413 for PBTs Figure 23
Geographically PBTs regardless of position level are paid
a significantly higher wage in Washington State and lowest
in Michigan Table 9
Most PBT respondents are found in the phlebotomy and
allmultiple departments They are paid an average hourly
wage of $1546 and $1527 respectively The average age
for all PBT respondents is 4212 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8) Overall PBTs have an
average of 1160 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and 824 years working in their current title (Figures 9
and 10)
Analysis of the average age for PBT managers and directors
was not performed due to the small sample size For the same
reason analysis of average age by state was not performed
Specialists in Blood Banking
Staff-level SBBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $2851
($946 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4558 years
SBB leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3105
($610 Figure 7) Data indicate that the average age for lead
SBBs is 4242 years SBB supervisors earn a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $3443 ($637 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4924
years The mean (SD) hourly wage for SBB managers is $4505
($996 Figure 7) The average annual wages of SBBs by job
level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that the average age
for managers is 4979 years while directors are at 5171 years
Most SBB respondents are found in the blood bank de-
partment which pays them an average hourly wage of
$3137 The average age for all SBB respondents is 4767
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
$3516
$3211 $3106 $3099 $3031 $3002 $3001 $2981 $2908 $2845 $2834 $2791
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40A
ve
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Figure 21 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by department
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 351DOI 101093ajcpaqw220351Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Results show that SBBs have an average of 1700 years of
total experience working in the field and have been working
in their current title for 872 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility and state as well as
average age by state for SBBs was not performed because
the results would provide statistically insignificant values
For the same reason average ages by state of each level
were not analyzed
Administration
The mean (SD) hourly wage for administration man-
agers is $4315 ($1101 Figure 7) The average age of man-
agers is 5157 years Administration directors earn a mean
(SD) hourly wage of $5910 ($2122 Figure 7) The average
annual wages of administrative personnel by job level are
listed in Table 2 Data indicate that the average age for di-
rectors is 5504 years
Administrative personnel are the oldest group of labora-
tory professionals with an overall average age of 5362
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
Overall administrative personnel have an average of 1606
total years of experience in the laboratory field and 952
years in their current occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was not performed
Laboratory Information Systems
Staff-level LIS personnel are paid a mean (SD) hourly
wage of $3361 ($704 Figure 7) The mean age for LIS
staff is 4820 years
Leads have an average age of 5167 years supervisors
5263 years and managers 5067 years The average age for
all LIS respondents is 4973 years which is older than the
national average (Figure 8) According to survey results
LIS personnel have an average of 1470 years of total expe-
rience in the laboratory field and have been working in their
current title for 859 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was performed
Summary
Compared with the 2013 ASCP wage survey salaries are
up for all staff-level laboratory professionals except PBTs and
PAs who have a ndash40 and ndash650 change in annual hourly
wage respectively Table 10 The annual hourly wages for
leads were also up in 2015 except for CTs (ndash130) and
SBBs (ndash331) Table 11 Supervisorsrsquo annual hourly wages
however are down except for MLTsCLTs PAs and MLSs
MTsCLSs at 1210 583 and 187 respectively
Table 12 Manager- and director-level comparisons were not
conducted due to small sample size LAs and PBTs regardless
of level continue to have lower salaries while PAs and
administration personnel have higher salaries than the rest of
the laboratory professions surveyed
Table 8Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Scientists
Medical TechnologistsClinical Laboratory Scientists by State
From Highest to Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory ScientistMedical
TechnologistClinical Laboratory Scientist Hourly Wage
California $4620
Nevada $3494
Oregon $3324
Massachusetts $3262
Connecticut $3253
Washington $3190
New York $3087
Arizona $3082
Minnesota $3060
Colorado $3054
New Jersey $3020
New Hampshire $2999
Maryland $2933
Georgia $2881
Idaho $2814
Montana $2795
Kansas $2753
New Mexico $2737
Missouri $2735
South Carolina $2729
Pennsylvania $2728
Wisconsin $2725
Florida $2710
Kentucky $2697
Virginia $2697
Indiana $2694
Ohio $2687
Illinois $2683
Texas $2682
Nebraska $2679
Michigan $2615
Maine $2605
Tennessee $2597
Oklahoma $2589
Louisiana $2585
Iowa $2579
West Virginia $2568
North Carolina $2499
Utah $2487
Mississippi $2461
North Dakota $2458
Alabama $2457
Arkansas $2444
South Dakota $2441
Puerto Rico $1526
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
352 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology352 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Although salaries appear to have increased over time
for the overall profession there is not a considerable differ-
ence between the average hourly wages of laboratory pro-
fessionals working as they accumulate more years of
experience in the field Table 13 For example the average
hourly wage for HTs for the first 5 years is $2277 It was
found that HTs received a pay raise after 6 to 10 years of
work experience earning an average of $2525 per hour
However it appears that there is a wage cap around $2800
per hour for HTs with more than 16 years of experience
$1635
$1607
$1575
$1565
$1506
$1498
$1488
$1483
$1413
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600 $1650
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Overall Hourly Wage for PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 23 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) phlebotomist (PBT) respondents by facility
$1584
$1557
$1548
$1476
$1468
$1466
$1465
$1450
$1426
$1375
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonp t
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 22 Average hourly wage of staff phlebotomists (PBTs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 353DOI 101093ajcpaqw220353Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
For MLTsCLTs the average hourly wage is $1889 for the
first 5 years of experience While MLTsCLTs tended to re-
ceive an increased hourly wage for every 5 years of work
experience those working for 36 to 40 years only earn
$718 per hour more than those with 0 to 5 years of experi-
ence On average PBTs earn $1361 per hour for 0 to 5
years of experience with an average of approximately
$100 for every 5 years of experience The survey has also
revealed a potential wage cap around $1800 per hour for
PBTs with more than 20 years of experience
This year we also looked at the average wage of labo-
ratory professionals based on age and found that salaries
continue to increase considerably for every age range except
LAs and PBTs Table 14 MLSsMTsCLSs aged 55 years
and older experience a wage cap at $3282
In addition to analyzing wages this survey also asked
questions to gain an in-depth perspective on the laboratory
workforce The US Department of Laborrsquos Bureau of Labor
Statistics reported that the job outlook for medical and
clinical laboratory technologists and technicians between
2014 and 2024 is expected to grow 16 which is faster
than the average rate1 Figure 8 suggests strategic focus on
recruitment and supports the results of the ASCP 2014
Vacancy Survey (httpajcpascpjournalsorgcontent
1443432fullpdf) on filling the upcoming vacancies
Results show that laboratory professionals are aging and
therefore the field needs to fill the vacancies with
qualified laboratory professionals There is also a need for
recruiting younger laboratory professionals because ac-
cording to the survey results the youngest group are the
PAs with an average age of 3947 years Recruitment
Table 9Average Annual Salaries for Phlebotomists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Phlebotomist Hourly Wage
Washington $1839
Massachusetts $1819
Minnesota $1807
Oregon $1778
Maryland $1720
New York $1639
Virginia $1628
Wisconsin $1610
Montana $1607
Pennsylvania $1586
Illinois $1570
Colorado $1523
Texas $1505
North Carolina $1449
South Carolina $1444
Florida $1428
Indiana $1406
Ohio $1404
Georgia $1377
Missouri $1361
Tennessee $1332
Michigan $1325
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Table 10Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Staff
Between 2013 and 2015a
Staff 2015 2013 Change
CG $3110 $2863 86
CT $3239 $3145 30
MLSMTCLS $2790 $2713 28
LA $1645 $1603 26
MLTCLT $2089 $2049 20
HT $2441 $2396 19
MB $2745 $2696 18
SBB $2851 $2807 15
HTL $2682 $2663 07
PBT $1497 $1560 40
PA $4330 $4632 65
PI or QA $3837 NA NA
LIS $3361 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 11Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Leads
Between 2013 and 2015a
Lead 2015 2013 Change
CG $3551 $3222 1022
HTL $3051 $2876 607
MLTCLT $2355 $2238 522
HT $2801 $2681 448
MLSMTCLS $3154 $3081 236
PBT $1696 $1671 149
CT $3474 $3520 130
SBB $3105 $3211 331
LA $1782 NA NA
MB $3465 NA NA
PA $4781 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 12Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for
Supervisors Between 2013 and 2015a
Supervisor 2015 2013 Change
MLTCLT $2533 $2260 1210
PA $5158 $4874 583
MLSMTCLS $3343 $3282 187
SBB $3443 $3444 ndash004
CT $3695 $3709 ndash038
HTL $3191 $3241 ndash155
HT $3073 $3129 ndash180
CG $3863 $3995 ndash332
MB $3866 NA NA
PBT $2108 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
354 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology354 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
should focus on the following occupational titles CT
HTL MLSMTCLS PI or QA SBB administration and
LIS as their average ages are higher compared with the
national average (Figure 8)
In addition to recruitment retention warrants the same
focus According to Rex Famitangco2 chair of the ASCP
Council of Laboratory Professionals (CLP) ldquoStriving to re-
tain quality staff is a vital part of maintaining a laboratoryrsquos
Table 13Total Years of Experience at Current Occupational Title by Average Hourly Wagea
Time in Current Title y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PA PBT
0-5 $2620 $2833 $2277 $2469 $1516 $1889 $2527 $2621 $4300 $1361
6-10 $3007 $3093 $2525 $2772 $1700 $2089 $2798 $2991 $4489 $1469
11-15 $3304 $3215 $2657 $2952 $1745 $2209 $2979 NA $4693 $1662
16-20 $3593 $3579 $2871 NA NA $2366 $3050 NA NA $1725
21-25 $3718 $3681 $2883 NA NA $2412 $3155 NA NA $1827
26-30 $3835 $3834 $2825 $3279 NA $2512 $3257 NA NA $1810
31-35 NA $3580 NA NA NA $2588 $3308 NA NA NA
36-40 NA $3585 NA NA NA $2607 $3316 NA NA NA
41thorn NA NA NA NA NA $3281 $3281 NA NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PI or QA staff were not included due to its small sample size
Table 14Age by Average Hourly Wagea
Age y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PBT
18-24 NA NA NA NA NA $1760 $2270 NA $1316
25-34 $2823 $2881 $2330 $2446 $1677 $1945 $2545 $2591 $1439
35-44 $3203 $3236 $2575 $2867 $1700 $2085 $2861 $3033 $1508
45-54 $3631 $3449 $2720 $2890 $1704 $2296 $3120 NA $1609
55-64 NA $3703 $2751 $3206 $1794 $2465 $3282 NA $1737
65-74 NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
75thorn NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PAs were not included due to its small sample size
Table 15Percent of Responses per BenefitPerk Offered by Institution
Perks Offered by Institution Total of Responses per Category
Medicalvision benefits 8818
Dental benefits 8469
Pensionretirement benefits 6704
Free or convenient employee parking 6688
Premium pay for overtime holidays and weekends 5947
Paying for continuing education 3957
Paying for tuition 3885
Flexible work hours 2497
Miscellaneous bonuses (eg tied to work company performance etc) 2485
Bonuses not directly tied to work (including holidays and profit-sharing bonuses) 2299
On-call pay 1961
Paying for certifications or qualifications 1720
Monetary bonus (eg sign-on bonus referral bonus miscellaneous bonuses) 1684
Transportation allowances 1174
Paying for professional memberships 1035
Daycare 780
Uniform allowances 700
Laptop or tablet 682
Providing a company phone for you 546
Free or subsidized room and board 086
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 355DOI 101093ajcpaqw220355Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
functionalityrdquo Employee development such as training
continuing education and mentoring can prove beneficial in
retaining staff2 Survey respondents were asked about the
benefits and perks they receive from their institution
and medicaldentalvision pensionretirement overtime
holidayweekends and employee parking were the top
fringe benefits they receive Paying for continuing educa-
tion certifications professional memberships and day care
were among the benefits that are not provided to many labo-
ratory professionals Table 15
Last this survey asked the respondents to provide com-
ments after the completion of the survey We received a total
of 2230 comments and found that 2762 addressed being un-
derpaidunderappreciated 2166 of them addressed the need
for increased wages andraises 1493 provided suggestions
for future surveys 3018 expressed appreciation for the
opportunity this survey provides in giving the laboratory pro-
fessionals a platform to encourage advocacy and 561 were
categorized as ldquoOtherrdquo Institutions are encouraged to take into
consideration laboratory professionalsrsquo compensation and base
their pay on level of education training years of experience
and cost of living as well as making their pay comparable to
other allied health professionals with higher salaries
Corresponding author Edna Garcia MPH 1225 New York Ave
NW Ste 350 Washington DC 20009 ednagarciaascporg
Contributors Carter Ainsworth ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Andrea Bennett MPH
MT (ASCP) ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp Policy
Washington DC Matthew Schulze ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Patricia Tanabe MPA
MLS (ASCP)CM ASCP Board of Certification Chicago IL and
Elizabeth Waibel MPH ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp
Policy Washington DC
Reviewers Mark Bailey MA HTL (ASCP)CM The University
of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Alexandra
Brown MD FASCP ASCP Institute of Science Technology and
Policy Washington DC Lynnette G Chakkaphak MS MT
(ASCP) St Vincentrsquos HealthCare Jacksonville FL Vicki S
Freeman PhD MASCP MLS (ASCP)CM SCCM FACB The
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Jack A Hager
MT (ASCP) SBB Oregon Health and Science University
Portland Rex F Famitangco MS MLS (ASCP)CM QLC MT
(AMT) CLC AHI Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff Carlo Joseph Ledesma MT (ASCP) Rose State
College Midwest City OK and Babatunde Oloyede PhD MLS
(ASCP) Federal Medical Center Durham NC
References
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbookhttpwwwblsgovoohhealthcaremedical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicianshtm Accessed July 182016
2 Famitangco R Investing in employees investing in the futureCrit Values 2016910-12
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
356 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology356 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
The overall sample size (lt30) for all occupational lev-
els was too small for meaningful statistical analysis of pay
rates by all facilities and departments surveyed For the
same reason average age by state for leads supervisors and
directors was not analyzed
Molecular Biologists
The mean (SD) hourly wage for staff-level MBs is
$2745 ($828 Figure 7) According to survey results staff
MBs have an average age of 3841 years
Lead-level MBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3465
($844 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4341 years
MB supervisors earn a mean (SD) hourly rate of $3866 ($1233
Figure 7) The average annual wages of MBs by job level are
listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervisors have an aver-
age age of 4216 years and managers of 3896 years
Most of the MB respondents are found in the molecular
pathology (pathgen) department and are paid an average
hourly wage of $2963 The average age for all MB respon-
dents is 4004 years which is younger than the national av-
erage (Figure 8) According to survey results MBs have
849 total years of experience working in the laboratory
field and an average of 556 years working in their current
occupational title the least number of years of experience
and working in their current title among all the groups sur-
veyed (Figures 9 and 10)
Results regarding the wage differences between
laboratory facilities and states for MBs do not allow for
480
5
467
9
463
9
455
2
454
7
454
0
452
3
450
6
449
8
447
6
443
6
438
9
436
3
436
1
435
0
434
2
431
0
426
8
425
6
424
3
422
8
422
0
420
8
418
8
418
4
417
2
415
7
411
7
408
8
407
0
402
1
401
3
401
2
397
2
396
2
390
6
387
2
377
1
371
2
369
7
360
0
359
3
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50A
ve
rag
e A
ge
(y)
States
Figure 17 Average ages for staff medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists (MLSsMTs
CLSs) by state Sample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statistically significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
348 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology348 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
statistically significant comparisons because respondents
in the survey had a small sample size For the same
reason average ages by state of each level were not
analyzed
Pathologistsrsquo Assistants
The mean (SD) national hourly wage for staff-level
PAs is $4330 ($1291 Figure 7) The mean age for staff
PAs is 3783 years
$3335
$3314
$3301
$3282
$3229
$3205
$3197
$3197
$3130
$3035
$3018
$2937
$2914
$2771
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Military VA VHA
No t
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Average Hourly Wage for Lead MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 18 Average hourly wage of lead medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
$3622
$3563
$3558
$3473
$3456
$3354
$3152
$2871
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35 $40
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Supervisor MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 19 Average hourly wage of supervisor medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 349DOI 101093ajcpaqw220349Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Lead PAs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $4781
($827 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4226 years The
mean (SD) hourly wage for PA supervisors is $5158
($1088 Figure 7) The average annual wages of PAs by
job level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervi-
sors have an average age of 4107 years and managers of
4706 years
PA respondents were mostly found in the anatomic pa-
thology departments which pays them an average salary of
$4312 per hour According to survey results PAs are the
youngest laboratory professionals with an average age of
3947 years which is younger than the national average
(Figure 8) Overall PAs have an average of 1058 total years
of experience in the laboratory field and 794 years in their
current title (Figures 9 and 10)
We did not perform analysis of wage data by facility
and state for PAs because the results would provide statisti-
cally insignificant values due to the small sample size For
the same reason average ages by state of each level were
not analyzed
Performance Improvement or Quality Assurance
The mean (SD) hourly wage for PI or QA staff is
$3837 ($913 Figure 7) The average age of staff PI or QA
is 4902 years Manager-level PI or QA staff are paid a
mean (SD) hourly rate of $4225 ($1042 Figure 7) The av-
erage annual wages of PI or QA staff by job level are listed
in Table 2 The mean age for managers is 4674 years
The department where most PI or QA personnel were
found is the LIS-QA-PI This department pays an average
hourly wage of $3378 Results indicate that leads have an
average age of 4593 years supervisors 4877 years and di-
rectors 5670 years The average age for all PI or QA re-
spondents is 4864 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8) According to survey results PI or QA
staff have an average of 1291 years of total experience in
the laboratory field and 692 years working in their current
occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of overall mean hourly wage for leads supervi-
sors and directors as well as average hourly wages paid by
facilities and states for PI or QA staff was not performed due
$3279
$3064
$3002
$2998
$2981
$2929
$2922
$2918
$2908
$2906
$2904
$2878
$2855
$2804
$2801
$2785
$2783
$2775
$2769
$2640
$2623
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Government
Military VA VHA
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Reference
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonp t
Community-based
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Public health laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Private industry
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Blood center
Average Hourly Wage for All MLSMTCLS Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 20 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
350 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology350 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
to the small sample size (lt30) of each level For the same rea-
son average ages by state of each level were not analyzed
Phlebotomists
Staff PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1497
($342 Figure 7) Results indicate that academic hospitals
with over 500 beds pay the highest hourly wage at $1584
and that hospitals with fewer than 100 beds pay the lowest
hourly wage at $1375 Figure 22 The overall sample size
(lt30) for this occupational level was too small for meaning-
ful statistical analysis of pay rates by all institutions sur-
veyed The data indicate that the average age for staff PBTs
is 4179 years
Lead PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1696
($344 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4322 years PBT man-
agers earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $2108 ($701 Figure
7) The average annual wages of PBTs by job level are listed
in Table 2 This group has an average age of 4428 years
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities for
leads supervisors managers and directors was not per-
formed due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level
But overall academic hospitals with over 500 beds pay the
highest hourly wage at $1635 and academic hospitals with
less than 100 beds at $1413 for PBTs Figure 23
Geographically PBTs regardless of position level are paid
a significantly higher wage in Washington State and lowest
in Michigan Table 9
Most PBT respondents are found in the phlebotomy and
allmultiple departments They are paid an average hourly
wage of $1546 and $1527 respectively The average age
for all PBT respondents is 4212 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8) Overall PBTs have an
average of 1160 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and 824 years working in their current title (Figures 9
and 10)
Analysis of the average age for PBT managers and directors
was not performed due to the small sample size For the same
reason analysis of average age by state was not performed
Specialists in Blood Banking
Staff-level SBBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $2851
($946 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4558 years
SBB leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3105
($610 Figure 7) Data indicate that the average age for lead
SBBs is 4242 years SBB supervisors earn a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $3443 ($637 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4924
years The mean (SD) hourly wage for SBB managers is $4505
($996 Figure 7) The average annual wages of SBBs by job
level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that the average age
for managers is 4979 years while directors are at 5171 years
Most SBB respondents are found in the blood bank de-
partment which pays them an average hourly wage of
$3137 The average age for all SBB respondents is 4767
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
$3516
$3211 $3106 $3099 $3031 $3002 $3001 $2981 $2908 $2845 $2834 $2791
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40A
ve
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Figure 21 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by department
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 351DOI 101093ajcpaqw220351Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Results show that SBBs have an average of 1700 years of
total experience working in the field and have been working
in their current title for 872 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility and state as well as
average age by state for SBBs was not performed because
the results would provide statistically insignificant values
For the same reason average ages by state of each level
were not analyzed
Administration
The mean (SD) hourly wage for administration man-
agers is $4315 ($1101 Figure 7) The average age of man-
agers is 5157 years Administration directors earn a mean
(SD) hourly wage of $5910 ($2122 Figure 7) The average
annual wages of administrative personnel by job level are
listed in Table 2 Data indicate that the average age for di-
rectors is 5504 years
Administrative personnel are the oldest group of labora-
tory professionals with an overall average age of 5362
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
Overall administrative personnel have an average of 1606
total years of experience in the laboratory field and 952
years in their current occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was not performed
Laboratory Information Systems
Staff-level LIS personnel are paid a mean (SD) hourly
wage of $3361 ($704 Figure 7) The mean age for LIS
staff is 4820 years
Leads have an average age of 5167 years supervisors
5263 years and managers 5067 years The average age for
all LIS respondents is 4973 years which is older than the
national average (Figure 8) According to survey results
LIS personnel have an average of 1470 years of total expe-
rience in the laboratory field and have been working in their
current title for 859 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was performed
Summary
Compared with the 2013 ASCP wage survey salaries are
up for all staff-level laboratory professionals except PBTs and
PAs who have a ndash40 and ndash650 change in annual hourly
wage respectively Table 10 The annual hourly wages for
leads were also up in 2015 except for CTs (ndash130) and
SBBs (ndash331) Table 11 Supervisorsrsquo annual hourly wages
however are down except for MLTsCLTs PAs and MLSs
MTsCLSs at 1210 583 and 187 respectively
Table 12 Manager- and director-level comparisons were not
conducted due to small sample size LAs and PBTs regardless
of level continue to have lower salaries while PAs and
administration personnel have higher salaries than the rest of
the laboratory professions surveyed
Table 8Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Scientists
Medical TechnologistsClinical Laboratory Scientists by State
From Highest to Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory ScientistMedical
TechnologistClinical Laboratory Scientist Hourly Wage
California $4620
Nevada $3494
Oregon $3324
Massachusetts $3262
Connecticut $3253
Washington $3190
New York $3087
Arizona $3082
Minnesota $3060
Colorado $3054
New Jersey $3020
New Hampshire $2999
Maryland $2933
Georgia $2881
Idaho $2814
Montana $2795
Kansas $2753
New Mexico $2737
Missouri $2735
South Carolina $2729
Pennsylvania $2728
Wisconsin $2725
Florida $2710
Kentucky $2697
Virginia $2697
Indiana $2694
Ohio $2687
Illinois $2683
Texas $2682
Nebraska $2679
Michigan $2615
Maine $2605
Tennessee $2597
Oklahoma $2589
Louisiana $2585
Iowa $2579
West Virginia $2568
North Carolina $2499
Utah $2487
Mississippi $2461
North Dakota $2458
Alabama $2457
Arkansas $2444
South Dakota $2441
Puerto Rico $1526
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
352 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology352 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Although salaries appear to have increased over time
for the overall profession there is not a considerable differ-
ence between the average hourly wages of laboratory pro-
fessionals working as they accumulate more years of
experience in the field Table 13 For example the average
hourly wage for HTs for the first 5 years is $2277 It was
found that HTs received a pay raise after 6 to 10 years of
work experience earning an average of $2525 per hour
However it appears that there is a wage cap around $2800
per hour for HTs with more than 16 years of experience
$1635
$1607
$1575
$1565
$1506
$1498
$1488
$1483
$1413
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600 $1650
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Overall Hourly Wage for PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 23 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) phlebotomist (PBT) respondents by facility
$1584
$1557
$1548
$1476
$1468
$1466
$1465
$1450
$1426
$1375
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonp t
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 22 Average hourly wage of staff phlebotomists (PBTs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
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by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
For MLTsCLTs the average hourly wage is $1889 for the
first 5 years of experience While MLTsCLTs tended to re-
ceive an increased hourly wage for every 5 years of work
experience those working for 36 to 40 years only earn
$718 per hour more than those with 0 to 5 years of experi-
ence On average PBTs earn $1361 per hour for 0 to 5
years of experience with an average of approximately
$100 for every 5 years of experience The survey has also
revealed a potential wage cap around $1800 per hour for
PBTs with more than 20 years of experience
This year we also looked at the average wage of labo-
ratory professionals based on age and found that salaries
continue to increase considerably for every age range except
LAs and PBTs Table 14 MLSsMTsCLSs aged 55 years
and older experience a wage cap at $3282
In addition to analyzing wages this survey also asked
questions to gain an in-depth perspective on the laboratory
workforce The US Department of Laborrsquos Bureau of Labor
Statistics reported that the job outlook for medical and
clinical laboratory technologists and technicians between
2014 and 2024 is expected to grow 16 which is faster
than the average rate1 Figure 8 suggests strategic focus on
recruitment and supports the results of the ASCP 2014
Vacancy Survey (httpajcpascpjournalsorgcontent
1443432fullpdf) on filling the upcoming vacancies
Results show that laboratory professionals are aging and
therefore the field needs to fill the vacancies with
qualified laboratory professionals There is also a need for
recruiting younger laboratory professionals because ac-
cording to the survey results the youngest group are the
PAs with an average age of 3947 years Recruitment
Table 9Average Annual Salaries for Phlebotomists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Phlebotomist Hourly Wage
Washington $1839
Massachusetts $1819
Minnesota $1807
Oregon $1778
Maryland $1720
New York $1639
Virginia $1628
Wisconsin $1610
Montana $1607
Pennsylvania $1586
Illinois $1570
Colorado $1523
Texas $1505
North Carolina $1449
South Carolina $1444
Florida $1428
Indiana $1406
Ohio $1404
Georgia $1377
Missouri $1361
Tennessee $1332
Michigan $1325
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Table 10Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Staff
Between 2013 and 2015a
Staff 2015 2013 Change
CG $3110 $2863 86
CT $3239 $3145 30
MLSMTCLS $2790 $2713 28
LA $1645 $1603 26
MLTCLT $2089 $2049 20
HT $2441 $2396 19
MB $2745 $2696 18
SBB $2851 $2807 15
HTL $2682 $2663 07
PBT $1497 $1560 40
PA $4330 $4632 65
PI or QA $3837 NA NA
LIS $3361 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 11Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Leads
Between 2013 and 2015a
Lead 2015 2013 Change
CG $3551 $3222 1022
HTL $3051 $2876 607
MLTCLT $2355 $2238 522
HT $2801 $2681 448
MLSMTCLS $3154 $3081 236
PBT $1696 $1671 149
CT $3474 $3520 130
SBB $3105 $3211 331
LA $1782 NA NA
MB $3465 NA NA
PA $4781 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 12Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for
Supervisors Between 2013 and 2015a
Supervisor 2015 2013 Change
MLTCLT $2533 $2260 1210
PA $5158 $4874 583
MLSMTCLS $3343 $3282 187
SBB $3443 $3444 ndash004
CT $3695 $3709 ndash038
HTL $3191 $3241 ndash155
HT $3073 $3129 ndash180
CG $3863 $3995 ndash332
MB $3866 NA NA
PBT $2108 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
354 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology354 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
should focus on the following occupational titles CT
HTL MLSMTCLS PI or QA SBB administration and
LIS as their average ages are higher compared with the
national average (Figure 8)
In addition to recruitment retention warrants the same
focus According to Rex Famitangco2 chair of the ASCP
Council of Laboratory Professionals (CLP) ldquoStriving to re-
tain quality staff is a vital part of maintaining a laboratoryrsquos
Table 13Total Years of Experience at Current Occupational Title by Average Hourly Wagea
Time in Current Title y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PA PBT
0-5 $2620 $2833 $2277 $2469 $1516 $1889 $2527 $2621 $4300 $1361
6-10 $3007 $3093 $2525 $2772 $1700 $2089 $2798 $2991 $4489 $1469
11-15 $3304 $3215 $2657 $2952 $1745 $2209 $2979 NA $4693 $1662
16-20 $3593 $3579 $2871 NA NA $2366 $3050 NA NA $1725
21-25 $3718 $3681 $2883 NA NA $2412 $3155 NA NA $1827
26-30 $3835 $3834 $2825 $3279 NA $2512 $3257 NA NA $1810
31-35 NA $3580 NA NA NA $2588 $3308 NA NA NA
36-40 NA $3585 NA NA NA $2607 $3316 NA NA NA
41thorn NA NA NA NA NA $3281 $3281 NA NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PI or QA staff were not included due to its small sample size
Table 14Age by Average Hourly Wagea
Age y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PBT
18-24 NA NA NA NA NA $1760 $2270 NA $1316
25-34 $2823 $2881 $2330 $2446 $1677 $1945 $2545 $2591 $1439
35-44 $3203 $3236 $2575 $2867 $1700 $2085 $2861 $3033 $1508
45-54 $3631 $3449 $2720 $2890 $1704 $2296 $3120 NA $1609
55-64 NA $3703 $2751 $3206 $1794 $2465 $3282 NA $1737
65-74 NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
75thorn NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PAs were not included due to its small sample size
Table 15Percent of Responses per BenefitPerk Offered by Institution
Perks Offered by Institution Total of Responses per Category
Medicalvision benefits 8818
Dental benefits 8469
Pensionretirement benefits 6704
Free or convenient employee parking 6688
Premium pay for overtime holidays and weekends 5947
Paying for continuing education 3957
Paying for tuition 3885
Flexible work hours 2497
Miscellaneous bonuses (eg tied to work company performance etc) 2485
Bonuses not directly tied to work (including holidays and profit-sharing bonuses) 2299
On-call pay 1961
Paying for certifications or qualifications 1720
Monetary bonus (eg sign-on bonus referral bonus miscellaneous bonuses) 1684
Transportation allowances 1174
Paying for professional memberships 1035
Daycare 780
Uniform allowances 700
Laptop or tablet 682
Providing a company phone for you 546
Free or subsidized room and board 086
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 355DOI 101093ajcpaqw220355Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
functionalityrdquo Employee development such as training
continuing education and mentoring can prove beneficial in
retaining staff2 Survey respondents were asked about the
benefits and perks they receive from their institution
and medicaldentalvision pensionretirement overtime
holidayweekends and employee parking were the top
fringe benefits they receive Paying for continuing educa-
tion certifications professional memberships and day care
were among the benefits that are not provided to many labo-
ratory professionals Table 15
Last this survey asked the respondents to provide com-
ments after the completion of the survey We received a total
of 2230 comments and found that 2762 addressed being un-
derpaidunderappreciated 2166 of them addressed the need
for increased wages andraises 1493 provided suggestions
for future surveys 3018 expressed appreciation for the
opportunity this survey provides in giving the laboratory pro-
fessionals a platform to encourage advocacy and 561 were
categorized as ldquoOtherrdquo Institutions are encouraged to take into
consideration laboratory professionalsrsquo compensation and base
their pay on level of education training years of experience
and cost of living as well as making their pay comparable to
other allied health professionals with higher salaries
Corresponding author Edna Garcia MPH 1225 New York Ave
NW Ste 350 Washington DC 20009 ednagarciaascporg
Contributors Carter Ainsworth ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Andrea Bennett MPH
MT (ASCP) ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp Policy
Washington DC Matthew Schulze ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Patricia Tanabe MPA
MLS (ASCP)CM ASCP Board of Certification Chicago IL and
Elizabeth Waibel MPH ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp
Policy Washington DC
Reviewers Mark Bailey MA HTL (ASCP)CM The University
of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Alexandra
Brown MD FASCP ASCP Institute of Science Technology and
Policy Washington DC Lynnette G Chakkaphak MS MT
(ASCP) St Vincentrsquos HealthCare Jacksonville FL Vicki S
Freeman PhD MASCP MLS (ASCP)CM SCCM FACB The
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Jack A Hager
MT (ASCP) SBB Oregon Health and Science University
Portland Rex F Famitangco MS MLS (ASCP)CM QLC MT
(AMT) CLC AHI Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff Carlo Joseph Ledesma MT (ASCP) Rose State
College Midwest City OK and Babatunde Oloyede PhD MLS
(ASCP) Federal Medical Center Durham NC
References
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbookhttpwwwblsgovoohhealthcaremedical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicianshtm Accessed July 182016
2 Famitangco R Investing in employees investing in the futureCrit Values 2016910-12
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
356 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology356 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
statistically significant comparisons because respondents
in the survey had a small sample size For the same
reason average ages by state of each level were not
analyzed
Pathologistsrsquo Assistants
The mean (SD) national hourly wage for staff-level
PAs is $4330 ($1291 Figure 7) The mean age for staff
PAs is 3783 years
$3335
$3314
$3301
$3282
$3229
$3205
$3197
$3197
$3130
$3035
$3018
$2937
$2914
$2771
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Military VA VHA
No t
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Community-based
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Average Hourly Wage for Lead MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 18 Average hourly wage of lead medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
$3622
$3563
$3558
$3473
$3456
$3354
$3152
$2871
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35 $40
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Average Hourly Wage for Supervisor MLSMTCLS
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 19 Average hourly wage of supervisor medical laboratory scientistsmedical technologistsclinical laboratory scientists
(MLSsMTsCLSs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 349DOI 101093ajcpaqw220349Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Lead PAs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $4781
($827 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4226 years The
mean (SD) hourly wage for PA supervisors is $5158
($1088 Figure 7) The average annual wages of PAs by
job level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervi-
sors have an average age of 4107 years and managers of
4706 years
PA respondents were mostly found in the anatomic pa-
thology departments which pays them an average salary of
$4312 per hour According to survey results PAs are the
youngest laboratory professionals with an average age of
3947 years which is younger than the national average
(Figure 8) Overall PAs have an average of 1058 total years
of experience in the laboratory field and 794 years in their
current title (Figures 9 and 10)
We did not perform analysis of wage data by facility
and state for PAs because the results would provide statisti-
cally insignificant values due to the small sample size For
the same reason average ages by state of each level were
not analyzed
Performance Improvement or Quality Assurance
The mean (SD) hourly wage for PI or QA staff is
$3837 ($913 Figure 7) The average age of staff PI or QA
is 4902 years Manager-level PI or QA staff are paid a
mean (SD) hourly rate of $4225 ($1042 Figure 7) The av-
erage annual wages of PI or QA staff by job level are listed
in Table 2 The mean age for managers is 4674 years
The department where most PI or QA personnel were
found is the LIS-QA-PI This department pays an average
hourly wage of $3378 Results indicate that leads have an
average age of 4593 years supervisors 4877 years and di-
rectors 5670 years The average age for all PI or QA re-
spondents is 4864 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8) According to survey results PI or QA
staff have an average of 1291 years of total experience in
the laboratory field and 692 years working in their current
occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of overall mean hourly wage for leads supervi-
sors and directors as well as average hourly wages paid by
facilities and states for PI or QA staff was not performed due
$3279
$3064
$3002
$2998
$2981
$2929
$2922
$2918
$2908
$2906
$2904
$2878
$2855
$2804
$2801
$2785
$2783
$2775
$2769
$2640
$2623
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Government
Military VA VHA
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Reference
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonp t
Community-based
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Public health laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Private industry
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Blood center
Average Hourly Wage for All MLSMTCLS Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 20 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
350 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology350 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
to the small sample size (lt30) of each level For the same rea-
son average ages by state of each level were not analyzed
Phlebotomists
Staff PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1497
($342 Figure 7) Results indicate that academic hospitals
with over 500 beds pay the highest hourly wage at $1584
and that hospitals with fewer than 100 beds pay the lowest
hourly wage at $1375 Figure 22 The overall sample size
(lt30) for this occupational level was too small for meaning-
ful statistical analysis of pay rates by all institutions sur-
veyed The data indicate that the average age for staff PBTs
is 4179 years
Lead PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1696
($344 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4322 years PBT man-
agers earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $2108 ($701 Figure
7) The average annual wages of PBTs by job level are listed
in Table 2 This group has an average age of 4428 years
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities for
leads supervisors managers and directors was not per-
formed due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level
But overall academic hospitals with over 500 beds pay the
highest hourly wage at $1635 and academic hospitals with
less than 100 beds at $1413 for PBTs Figure 23
Geographically PBTs regardless of position level are paid
a significantly higher wage in Washington State and lowest
in Michigan Table 9
Most PBT respondents are found in the phlebotomy and
allmultiple departments They are paid an average hourly
wage of $1546 and $1527 respectively The average age
for all PBT respondents is 4212 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8) Overall PBTs have an
average of 1160 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and 824 years working in their current title (Figures 9
and 10)
Analysis of the average age for PBT managers and directors
was not performed due to the small sample size For the same
reason analysis of average age by state was not performed
Specialists in Blood Banking
Staff-level SBBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $2851
($946 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4558 years
SBB leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3105
($610 Figure 7) Data indicate that the average age for lead
SBBs is 4242 years SBB supervisors earn a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $3443 ($637 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4924
years The mean (SD) hourly wage for SBB managers is $4505
($996 Figure 7) The average annual wages of SBBs by job
level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that the average age
for managers is 4979 years while directors are at 5171 years
Most SBB respondents are found in the blood bank de-
partment which pays them an average hourly wage of
$3137 The average age for all SBB respondents is 4767
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
$3516
$3211 $3106 $3099 $3031 $3002 $3001 $2981 $2908 $2845 $2834 $2791
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40A
ve
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Figure 21 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by department
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 351DOI 101093ajcpaqw220351Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Results show that SBBs have an average of 1700 years of
total experience working in the field and have been working
in their current title for 872 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility and state as well as
average age by state for SBBs was not performed because
the results would provide statistically insignificant values
For the same reason average ages by state of each level
were not analyzed
Administration
The mean (SD) hourly wage for administration man-
agers is $4315 ($1101 Figure 7) The average age of man-
agers is 5157 years Administration directors earn a mean
(SD) hourly wage of $5910 ($2122 Figure 7) The average
annual wages of administrative personnel by job level are
listed in Table 2 Data indicate that the average age for di-
rectors is 5504 years
Administrative personnel are the oldest group of labora-
tory professionals with an overall average age of 5362
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
Overall administrative personnel have an average of 1606
total years of experience in the laboratory field and 952
years in their current occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was not performed
Laboratory Information Systems
Staff-level LIS personnel are paid a mean (SD) hourly
wage of $3361 ($704 Figure 7) The mean age for LIS
staff is 4820 years
Leads have an average age of 5167 years supervisors
5263 years and managers 5067 years The average age for
all LIS respondents is 4973 years which is older than the
national average (Figure 8) According to survey results
LIS personnel have an average of 1470 years of total expe-
rience in the laboratory field and have been working in their
current title for 859 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was performed
Summary
Compared with the 2013 ASCP wage survey salaries are
up for all staff-level laboratory professionals except PBTs and
PAs who have a ndash40 and ndash650 change in annual hourly
wage respectively Table 10 The annual hourly wages for
leads were also up in 2015 except for CTs (ndash130) and
SBBs (ndash331) Table 11 Supervisorsrsquo annual hourly wages
however are down except for MLTsCLTs PAs and MLSs
MTsCLSs at 1210 583 and 187 respectively
Table 12 Manager- and director-level comparisons were not
conducted due to small sample size LAs and PBTs regardless
of level continue to have lower salaries while PAs and
administration personnel have higher salaries than the rest of
the laboratory professions surveyed
Table 8Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Scientists
Medical TechnologistsClinical Laboratory Scientists by State
From Highest to Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory ScientistMedical
TechnologistClinical Laboratory Scientist Hourly Wage
California $4620
Nevada $3494
Oregon $3324
Massachusetts $3262
Connecticut $3253
Washington $3190
New York $3087
Arizona $3082
Minnesota $3060
Colorado $3054
New Jersey $3020
New Hampshire $2999
Maryland $2933
Georgia $2881
Idaho $2814
Montana $2795
Kansas $2753
New Mexico $2737
Missouri $2735
South Carolina $2729
Pennsylvania $2728
Wisconsin $2725
Florida $2710
Kentucky $2697
Virginia $2697
Indiana $2694
Ohio $2687
Illinois $2683
Texas $2682
Nebraska $2679
Michigan $2615
Maine $2605
Tennessee $2597
Oklahoma $2589
Louisiana $2585
Iowa $2579
West Virginia $2568
North Carolina $2499
Utah $2487
Mississippi $2461
North Dakota $2458
Alabama $2457
Arkansas $2444
South Dakota $2441
Puerto Rico $1526
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
352 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology352 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Although salaries appear to have increased over time
for the overall profession there is not a considerable differ-
ence between the average hourly wages of laboratory pro-
fessionals working as they accumulate more years of
experience in the field Table 13 For example the average
hourly wage for HTs for the first 5 years is $2277 It was
found that HTs received a pay raise after 6 to 10 years of
work experience earning an average of $2525 per hour
However it appears that there is a wage cap around $2800
per hour for HTs with more than 16 years of experience
$1635
$1607
$1575
$1565
$1506
$1498
$1488
$1483
$1413
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600 $1650
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Overall Hourly Wage for PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 23 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) phlebotomist (PBT) respondents by facility
$1584
$1557
$1548
$1476
$1468
$1466
$1465
$1450
$1426
$1375
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonp t
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 22 Average hourly wage of staff phlebotomists (PBTs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 353DOI 101093ajcpaqw220353Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
For MLTsCLTs the average hourly wage is $1889 for the
first 5 years of experience While MLTsCLTs tended to re-
ceive an increased hourly wage for every 5 years of work
experience those working for 36 to 40 years only earn
$718 per hour more than those with 0 to 5 years of experi-
ence On average PBTs earn $1361 per hour for 0 to 5
years of experience with an average of approximately
$100 for every 5 years of experience The survey has also
revealed a potential wage cap around $1800 per hour for
PBTs with more than 20 years of experience
This year we also looked at the average wage of labo-
ratory professionals based on age and found that salaries
continue to increase considerably for every age range except
LAs and PBTs Table 14 MLSsMTsCLSs aged 55 years
and older experience a wage cap at $3282
In addition to analyzing wages this survey also asked
questions to gain an in-depth perspective on the laboratory
workforce The US Department of Laborrsquos Bureau of Labor
Statistics reported that the job outlook for medical and
clinical laboratory technologists and technicians between
2014 and 2024 is expected to grow 16 which is faster
than the average rate1 Figure 8 suggests strategic focus on
recruitment and supports the results of the ASCP 2014
Vacancy Survey (httpajcpascpjournalsorgcontent
1443432fullpdf) on filling the upcoming vacancies
Results show that laboratory professionals are aging and
therefore the field needs to fill the vacancies with
qualified laboratory professionals There is also a need for
recruiting younger laboratory professionals because ac-
cording to the survey results the youngest group are the
PAs with an average age of 3947 years Recruitment
Table 9Average Annual Salaries for Phlebotomists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Phlebotomist Hourly Wage
Washington $1839
Massachusetts $1819
Minnesota $1807
Oregon $1778
Maryland $1720
New York $1639
Virginia $1628
Wisconsin $1610
Montana $1607
Pennsylvania $1586
Illinois $1570
Colorado $1523
Texas $1505
North Carolina $1449
South Carolina $1444
Florida $1428
Indiana $1406
Ohio $1404
Georgia $1377
Missouri $1361
Tennessee $1332
Michigan $1325
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Table 10Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Staff
Between 2013 and 2015a
Staff 2015 2013 Change
CG $3110 $2863 86
CT $3239 $3145 30
MLSMTCLS $2790 $2713 28
LA $1645 $1603 26
MLTCLT $2089 $2049 20
HT $2441 $2396 19
MB $2745 $2696 18
SBB $2851 $2807 15
HTL $2682 $2663 07
PBT $1497 $1560 40
PA $4330 $4632 65
PI or QA $3837 NA NA
LIS $3361 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 11Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Leads
Between 2013 and 2015a
Lead 2015 2013 Change
CG $3551 $3222 1022
HTL $3051 $2876 607
MLTCLT $2355 $2238 522
HT $2801 $2681 448
MLSMTCLS $3154 $3081 236
PBT $1696 $1671 149
CT $3474 $3520 130
SBB $3105 $3211 331
LA $1782 NA NA
MB $3465 NA NA
PA $4781 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 12Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for
Supervisors Between 2013 and 2015a
Supervisor 2015 2013 Change
MLTCLT $2533 $2260 1210
PA $5158 $4874 583
MLSMTCLS $3343 $3282 187
SBB $3443 $3444 ndash004
CT $3695 $3709 ndash038
HTL $3191 $3241 ndash155
HT $3073 $3129 ndash180
CG $3863 $3995 ndash332
MB $3866 NA NA
PBT $2108 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
354 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology354 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
should focus on the following occupational titles CT
HTL MLSMTCLS PI or QA SBB administration and
LIS as their average ages are higher compared with the
national average (Figure 8)
In addition to recruitment retention warrants the same
focus According to Rex Famitangco2 chair of the ASCP
Council of Laboratory Professionals (CLP) ldquoStriving to re-
tain quality staff is a vital part of maintaining a laboratoryrsquos
Table 13Total Years of Experience at Current Occupational Title by Average Hourly Wagea
Time in Current Title y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PA PBT
0-5 $2620 $2833 $2277 $2469 $1516 $1889 $2527 $2621 $4300 $1361
6-10 $3007 $3093 $2525 $2772 $1700 $2089 $2798 $2991 $4489 $1469
11-15 $3304 $3215 $2657 $2952 $1745 $2209 $2979 NA $4693 $1662
16-20 $3593 $3579 $2871 NA NA $2366 $3050 NA NA $1725
21-25 $3718 $3681 $2883 NA NA $2412 $3155 NA NA $1827
26-30 $3835 $3834 $2825 $3279 NA $2512 $3257 NA NA $1810
31-35 NA $3580 NA NA NA $2588 $3308 NA NA NA
36-40 NA $3585 NA NA NA $2607 $3316 NA NA NA
41thorn NA NA NA NA NA $3281 $3281 NA NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PI or QA staff were not included due to its small sample size
Table 14Age by Average Hourly Wagea
Age y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PBT
18-24 NA NA NA NA NA $1760 $2270 NA $1316
25-34 $2823 $2881 $2330 $2446 $1677 $1945 $2545 $2591 $1439
35-44 $3203 $3236 $2575 $2867 $1700 $2085 $2861 $3033 $1508
45-54 $3631 $3449 $2720 $2890 $1704 $2296 $3120 NA $1609
55-64 NA $3703 $2751 $3206 $1794 $2465 $3282 NA $1737
65-74 NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
75thorn NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PAs were not included due to its small sample size
Table 15Percent of Responses per BenefitPerk Offered by Institution
Perks Offered by Institution Total of Responses per Category
Medicalvision benefits 8818
Dental benefits 8469
Pensionretirement benefits 6704
Free or convenient employee parking 6688
Premium pay for overtime holidays and weekends 5947
Paying for continuing education 3957
Paying for tuition 3885
Flexible work hours 2497
Miscellaneous bonuses (eg tied to work company performance etc) 2485
Bonuses not directly tied to work (including holidays and profit-sharing bonuses) 2299
On-call pay 1961
Paying for certifications or qualifications 1720
Monetary bonus (eg sign-on bonus referral bonus miscellaneous bonuses) 1684
Transportation allowances 1174
Paying for professional memberships 1035
Daycare 780
Uniform allowances 700
Laptop or tablet 682
Providing a company phone for you 546
Free or subsidized room and board 086
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 355DOI 101093ajcpaqw220355Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
functionalityrdquo Employee development such as training
continuing education and mentoring can prove beneficial in
retaining staff2 Survey respondents were asked about the
benefits and perks they receive from their institution
and medicaldentalvision pensionretirement overtime
holidayweekends and employee parking were the top
fringe benefits they receive Paying for continuing educa-
tion certifications professional memberships and day care
were among the benefits that are not provided to many labo-
ratory professionals Table 15
Last this survey asked the respondents to provide com-
ments after the completion of the survey We received a total
of 2230 comments and found that 2762 addressed being un-
derpaidunderappreciated 2166 of them addressed the need
for increased wages andraises 1493 provided suggestions
for future surveys 3018 expressed appreciation for the
opportunity this survey provides in giving the laboratory pro-
fessionals a platform to encourage advocacy and 561 were
categorized as ldquoOtherrdquo Institutions are encouraged to take into
consideration laboratory professionalsrsquo compensation and base
their pay on level of education training years of experience
and cost of living as well as making their pay comparable to
other allied health professionals with higher salaries
Corresponding author Edna Garcia MPH 1225 New York Ave
NW Ste 350 Washington DC 20009 ednagarciaascporg
Contributors Carter Ainsworth ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Andrea Bennett MPH
MT (ASCP) ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp Policy
Washington DC Matthew Schulze ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Patricia Tanabe MPA
MLS (ASCP)CM ASCP Board of Certification Chicago IL and
Elizabeth Waibel MPH ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp
Policy Washington DC
Reviewers Mark Bailey MA HTL (ASCP)CM The University
of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Alexandra
Brown MD FASCP ASCP Institute of Science Technology and
Policy Washington DC Lynnette G Chakkaphak MS MT
(ASCP) St Vincentrsquos HealthCare Jacksonville FL Vicki S
Freeman PhD MASCP MLS (ASCP)CM SCCM FACB The
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Jack A Hager
MT (ASCP) SBB Oregon Health and Science University
Portland Rex F Famitangco MS MLS (ASCP)CM QLC MT
(AMT) CLC AHI Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff Carlo Joseph Ledesma MT (ASCP) Rose State
College Midwest City OK and Babatunde Oloyede PhD MLS
(ASCP) Federal Medical Center Durham NC
References
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbookhttpwwwblsgovoohhealthcaremedical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicianshtm Accessed July 182016
2 Famitangco R Investing in employees investing in the futureCrit Values 2016910-12
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
356 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology356 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Lead PAs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $4781
($827 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4226 years The
mean (SD) hourly wage for PA supervisors is $5158
($1088 Figure 7) The average annual wages of PAs by
job level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that supervi-
sors have an average age of 4107 years and managers of
4706 years
PA respondents were mostly found in the anatomic pa-
thology departments which pays them an average salary of
$4312 per hour According to survey results PAs are the
youngest laboratory professionals with an average age of
3947 years which is younger than the national average
(Figure 8) Overall PAs have an average of 1058 total years
of experience in the laboratory field and 794 years in their
current title (Figures 9 and 10)
We did not perform analysis of wage data by facility
and state for PAs because the results would provide statisti-
cally insignificant values due to the small sample size For
the same reason average ages by state of each level were
not analyzed
Performance Improvement or Quality Assurance
The mean (SD) hourly wage for PI or QA staff is
$3837 ($913 Figure 7) The average age of staff PI or QA
is 4902 years Manager-level PI or QA staff are paid a
mean (SD) hourly rate of $4225 ($1042 Figure 7) The av-
erage annual wages of PI or QA staff by job level are listed
in Table 2 The mean age for managers is 4674 years
The department where most PI or QA personnel were
found is the LIS-QA-PI This department pays an average
hourly wage of $3378 Results indicate that leads have an
average age of 4593 years supervisors 4877 years and di-
rectors 5670 years The average age for all PI or QA re-
spondents is 4864 years which is older than the national
average (Figure 8) According to survey results PI or QA
staff have an average of 1291 years of total experience in
the laboratory field and 692 years working in their current
occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of overall mean hourly wage for leads supervi-
sors and directors as well as average hourly wages paid by
facilities and states for PI or QA staff was not performed due
$3279
$3064
$3002
$2998
$2981
$2929
$2922
$2918
$2908
$2906
$2904
$2878
$2855
$2804
$2801
$2785
$2783
$2775
$2769
$2640
$2623
$0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35
Government
Military VA VHA
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Reference
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Nonp t
Community-based
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Public health laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Retail laboratorymdashdirect to consumer
Nonacademic hospital gt500 beds
Private industry
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
PathologistClinical scientist laboratory
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos
Blood center
Average Hourly Wage for All MLSMTCLS Respondents
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 20 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by facility VA Department of Veterans Affairs VHA Veterans Health Administration
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
350 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology350 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
to the small sample size (lt30) of each level For the same rea-
son average ages by state of each level were not analyzed
Phlebotomists
Staff PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1497
($342 Figure 7) Results indicate that academic hospitals
with over 500 beds pay the highest hourly wage at $1584
and that hospitals with fewer than 100 beds pay the lowest
hourly wage at $1375 Figure 22 The overall sample size
(lt30) for this occupational level was too small for meaning-
ful statistical analysis of pay rates by all institutions sur-
veyed The data indicate that the average age for staff PBTs
is 4179 years
Lead PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1696
($344 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4322 years PBT man-
agers earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $2108 ($701 Figure
7) The average annual wages of PBTs by job level are listed
in Table 2 This group has an average age of 4428 years
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities for
leads supervisors managers and directors was not per-
formed due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level
But overall academic hospitals with over 500 beds pay the
highest hourly wage at $1635 and academic hospitals with
less than 100 beds at $1413 for PBTs Figure 23
Geographically PBTs regardless of position level are paid
a significantly higher wage in Washington State and lowest
in Michigan Table 9
Most PBT respondents are found in the phlebotomy and
allmultiple departments They are paid an average hourly
wage of $1546 and $1527 respectively The average age
for all PBT respondents is 4212 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8) Overall PBTs have an
average of 1160 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and 824 years working in their current title (Figures 9
and 10)
Analysis of the average age for PBT managers and directors
was not performed due to the small sample size For the same
reason analysis of average age by state was not performed
Specialists in Blood Banking
Staff-level SBBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $2851
($946 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4558 years
SBB leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3105
($610 Figure 7) Data indicate that the average age for lead
SBBs is 4242 years SBB supervisors earn a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $3443 ($637 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4924
years The mean (SD) hourly wage for SBB managers is $4505
($996 Figure 7) The average annual wages of SBBs by job
level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that the average age
for managers is 4979 years while directors are at 5171 years
Most SBB respondents are found in the blood bank de-
partment which pays them an average hourly wage of
$3137 The average age for all SBB respondents is 4767
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
$3516
$3211 $3106 $3099 $3031 $3002 $3001 $2981 $2908 $2845 $2834 $2791
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40A
ve
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Figure 21 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by department
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 351DOI 101093ajcpaqw220351Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Results show that SBBs have an average of 1700 years of
total experience working in the field and have been working
in their current title for 872 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility and state as well as
average age by state for SBBs was not performed because
the results would provide statistically insignificant values
For the same reason average ages by state of each level
were not analyzed
Administration
The mean (SD) hourly wage for administration man-
agers is $4315 ($1101 Figure 7) The average age of man-
agers is 5157 years Administration directors earn a mean
(SD) hourly wage of $5910 ($2122 Figure 7) The average
annual wages of administrative personnel by job level are
listed in Table 2 Data indicate that the average age for di-
rectors is 5504 years
Administrative personnel are the oldest group of labora-
tory professionals with an overall average age of 5362
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
Overall administrative personnel have an average of 1606
total years of experience in the laboratory field and 952
years in their current occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was not performed
Laboratory Information Systems
Staff-level LIS personnel are paid a mean (SD) hourly
wage of $3361 ($704 Figure 7) The mean age for LIS
staff is 4820 years
Leads have an average age of 5167 years supervisors
5263 years and managers 5067 years The average age for
all LIS respondents is 4973 years which is older than the
national average (Figure 8) According to survey results
LIS personnel have an average of 1470 years of total expe-
rience in the laboratory field and have been working in their
current title for 859 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was performed
Summary
Compared with the 2013 ASCP wage survey salaries are
up for all staff-level laboratory professionals except PBTs and
PAs who have a ndash40 and ndash650 change in annual hourly
wage respectively Table 10 The annual hourly wages for
leads were also up in 2015 except for CTs (ndash130) and
SBBs (ndash331) Table 11 Supervisorsrsquo annual hourly wages
however are down except for MLTsCLTs PAs and MLSs
MTsCLSs at 1210 583 and 187 respectively
Table 12 Manager- and director-level comparisons were not
conducted due to small sample size LAs and PBTs regardless
of level continue to have lower salaries while PAs and
administration personnel have higher salaries than the rest of
the laboratory professions surveyed
Table 8Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Scientists
Medical TechnologistsClinical Laboratory Scientists by State
From Highest to Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory ScientistMedical
TechnologistClinical Laboratory Scientist Hourly Wage
California $4620
Nevada $3494
Oregon $3324
Massachusetts $3262
Connecticut $3253
Washington $3190
New York $3087
Arizona $3082
Minnesota $3060
Colorado $3054
New Jersey $3020
New Hampshire $2999
Maryland $2933
Georgia $2881
Idaho $2814
Montana $2795
Kansas $2753
New Mexico $2737
Missouri $2735
South Carolina $2729
Pennsylvania $2728
Wisconsin $2725
Florida $2710
Kentucky $2697
Virginia $2697
Indiana $2694
Ohio $2687
Illinois $2683
Texas $2682
Nebraska $2679
Michigan $2615
Maine $2605
Tennessee $2597
Oklahoma $2589
Louisiana $2585
Iowa $2579
West Virginia $2568
North Carolina $2499
Utah $2487
Mississippi $2461
North Dakota $2458
Alabama $2457
Arkansas $2444
South Dakota $2441
Puerto Rico $1526
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
352 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology352 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Although salaries appear to have increased over time
for the overall profession there is not a considerable differ-
ence between the average hourly wages of laboratory pro-
fessionals working as they accumulate more years of
experience in the field Table 13 For example the average
hourly wage for HTs for the first 5 years is $2277 It was
found that HTs received a pay raise after 6 to 10 years of
work experience earning an average of $2525 per hour
However it appears that there is a wage cap around $2800
per hour for HTs with more than 16 years of experience
$1635
$1607
$1575
$1565
$1506
$1498
$1488
$1483
$1413
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600 $1650
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Overall Hourly Wage for PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 23 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) phlebotomist (PBT) respondents by facility
$1584
$1557
$1548
$1476
$1468
$1466
$1465
$1450
$1426
$1375
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonp t
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 22 Average hourly wage of staff phlebotomists (PBTs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 353DOI 101093ajcpaqw220353Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
For MLTsCLTs the average hourly wage is $1889 for the
first 5 years of experience While MLTsCLTs tended to re-
ceive an increased hourly wage for every 5 years of work
experience those working for 36 to 40 years only earn
$718 per hour more than those with 0 to 5 years of experi-
ence On average PBTs earn $1361 per hour for 0 to 5
years of experience with an average of approximately
$100 for every 5 years of experience The survey has also
revealed a potential wage cap around $1800 per hour for
PBTs with more than 20 years of experience
This year we also looked at the average wage of labo-
ratory professionals based on age and found that salaries
continue to increase considerably for every age range except
LAs and PBTs Table 14 MLSsMTsCLSs aged 55 years
and older experience a wage cap at $3282
In addition to analyzing wages this survey also asked
questions to gain an in-depth perspective on the laboratory
workforce The US Department of Laborrsquos Bureau of Labor
Statistics reported that the job outlook for medical and
clinical laboratory technologists and technicians between
2014 and 2024 is expected to grow 16 which is faster
than the average rate1 Figure 8 suggests strategic focus on
recruitment and supports the results of the ASCP 2014
Vacancy Survey (httpajcpascpjournalsorgcontent
1443432fullpdf) on filling the upcoming vacancies
Results show that laboratory professionals are aging and
therefore the field needs to fill the vacancies with
qualified laboratory professionals There is also a need for
recruiting younger laboratory professionals because ac-
cording to the survey results the youngest group are the
PAs with an average age of 3947 years Recruitment
Table 9Average Annual Salaries for Phlebotomists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Phlebotomist Hourly Wage
Washington $1839
Massachusetts $1819
Minnesota $1807
Oregon $1778
Maryland $1720
New York $1639
Virginia $1628
Wisconsin $1610
Montana $1607
Pennsylvania $1586
Illinois $1570
Colorado $1523
Texas $1505
North Carolina $1449
South Carolina $1444
Florida $1428
Indiana $1406
Ohio $1404
Georgia $1377
Missouri $1361
Tennessee $1332
Michigan $1325
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Table 10Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Staff
Between 2013 and 2015a
Staff 2015 2013 Change
CG $3110 $2863 86
CT $3239 $3145 30
MLSMTCLS $2790 $2713 28
LA $1645 $1603 26
MLTCLT $2089 $2049 20
HT $2441 $2396 19
MB $2745 $2696 18
SBB $2851 $2807 15
HTL $2682 $2663 07
PBT $1497 $1560 40
PA $4330 $4632 65
PI or QA $3837 NA NA
LIS $3361 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 11Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Leads
Between 2013 and 2015a
Lead 2015 2013 Change
CG $3551 $3222 1022
HTL $3051 $2876 607
MLTCLT $2355 $2238 522
HT $2801 $2681 448
MLSMTCLS $3154 $3081 236
PBT $1696 $1671 149
CT $3474 $3520 130
SBB $3105 $3211 331
LA $1782 NA NA
MB $3465 NA NA
PA $4781 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 12Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for
Supervisors Between 2013 and 2015a
Supervisor 2015 2013 Change
MLTCLT $2533 $2260 1210
PA $5158 $4874 583
MLSMTCLS $3343 $3282 187
SBB $3443 $3444 ndash004
CT $3695 $3709 ndash038
HTL $3191 $3241 ndash155
HT $3073 $3129 ndash180
CG $3863 $3995 ndash332
MB $3866 NA NA
PBT $2108 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
354 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology354 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
should focus on the following occupational titles CT
HTL MLSMTCLS PI or QA SBB administration and
LIS as their average ages are higher compared with the
national average (Figure 8)
In addition to recruitment retention warrants the same
focus According to Rex Famitangco2 chair of the ASCP
Council of Laboratory Professionals (CLP) ldquoStriving to re-
tain quality staff is a vital part of maintaining a laboratoryrsquos
Table 13Total Years of Experience at Current Occupational Title by Average Hourly Wagea
Time in Current Title y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PA PBT
0-5 $2620 $2833 $2277 $2469 $1516 $1889 $2527 $2621 $4300 $1361
6-10 $3007 $3093 $2525 $2772 $1700 $2089 $2798 $2991 $4489 $1469
11-15 $3304 $3215 $2657 $2952 $1745 $2209 $2979 NA $4693 $1662
16-20 $3593 $3579 $2871 NA NA $2366 $3050 NA NA $1725
21-25 $3718 $3681 $2883 NA NA $2412 $3155 NA NA $1827
26-30 $3835 $3834 $2825 $3279 NA $2512 $3257 NA NA $1810
31-35 NA $3580 NA NA NA $2588 $3308 NA NA NA
36-40 NA $3585 NA NA NA $2607 $3316 NA NA NA
41thorn NA NA NA NA NA $3281 $3281 NA NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PI or QA staff were not included due to its small sample size
Table 14Age by Average Hourly Wagea
Age y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PBT
18-24 NA NA NA NA NA $1760 $2270 NA $1316
25-34 $2823 $2881 $2330 $2446 $1677 $1945 $2545 $2591 $1439
35-44 $3203 $3236 $2575 $2867 $1700 $2085 $2861 $3033 $1508
45-54 $3631 $3449 $2720 $2890 $1704 $2296 $3120 NA $1609
55-64 NA $3703 $2751 $3206 $1794 $2465 $3282 NA $1737
65-74 NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
75thorn NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PAs were not included due to its small sample size
Table 15Percent of Responses per BenefitPerk Offered by Institution
Perks Offered by Institution Total of Responses per Category
Medicalvision benefits 8818
Dental benefits 8469
Pensionretirement benefits 6704
Free or convenient employee parking 6688
Premium pay for overtime holidays and weekends 5947
Paying for continuing education 3957
Paying for tuition 3885
Flexible work hours 2497
Miscellaneous bonuses (eg tied to work company performance etc) 2485
Bonuses not directly tied to work (including holidays and profit-sharing bonuses) 2299
On-call pay 1961
Paying for certifications or qualifications 1720
Monetary bonus (eg sign-on bonus referral bonus miscellaneous bonuses) 1684
Transportation allowances 1174
Paying for professional memberships 1035
Daycare 780
Uniform allowances 700
Laptop or tablet 682
Providing a company phone for you 546
Free or subsidized room and board 086
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 355DOI 101093ajcpaqw220355Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
functionalityrdquo Employee development such as training
continuing education and mentoring can prove beneficial in
retaining staff2 Survey respondents were asked about the
benefits and perks they receive from their institution
and medicaldentalvision pensionretirement overtime
holidayweekends and employee parking were the top
fringe benefits they receive Paying for continuing educa-
tion certifications professional memberships and day care
were among the benefits that are not provided to many labo-
ratory professionals Table 15
Last this survey asked the respondents to provide com-
ments after the completion of the survey We received a total
of 2230 comments and found that 2762 addressed being un-
derpaidunderappreciated 2166 of them addressed the need
for increased wages andraises 1493 provided suggestions
for future surveys 3018 expressed appreciation for the
opportunity this survey provides in giving the laboratory pro-
fessionals a platform to encourage advocacy and 561 were
categorized as ldquoOtherrdquo Institutions are encouraged to take into
consideration laboratory professionalsrsquo compensation and base
their pay on level of education training years of experience
and cost of living as well as making their pay comparable to
other allied health professionals with higher salaries
Corresponding author Edna Garcia MPH 1225 New York Ave
NW Ste 350 Washington DC 20009 ednagarciaascporg
Contributors Carter Ainsworth ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Andrea Bennett MPH
MT (ASCP) ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp Policy
Washington DC Matthew Schulze ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Patricia Tanabe MPA
MLS (ASCP)CM ASCP Board of Certification Chicago IL and
Elizabeth Waibel MPH ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp
Policy Washington DC
Reviewers Mark Bailey MA HTL (ASCP)CM The University
of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Alexandra
Brown MD FASCP ASCP Institute of Science Technology and
Policy Washington DC Lynnette G Chakkaphak MS MT
(ASCP) St Vincentrsquos HealthCare Jacksonville FL Vicki S
Freeman PhD MASCP MLS (ASCP)CM SCCM FACB The
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Jack A Hager
MT (ASCP) SBB Oregon Health and Science University
Portland Rex F Famitangco MS MLS (ASCP)CM QLC MT
(AMT) CLC AHI Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff Carlo Joseph Ledesma MT (ASCP) Rose State
College Midwest City OK and Babatunde Oloyede PhD MLS
(ASCP) Federal Medical Center Durham NC
References
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbookhttpwwwblsgovoohhealthcaremedical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicianshtm Accessed July 182016
2 Famitangco R Investing in employees investing in the futureCrit Values 2016910-12
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
356 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology356 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
to the small sample size (lt30) of each level For the same rea-
son average ages by state of each level were not analyzed
Phlebotomists
Staff PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1497
($342 Figure 7) Results indicate that academic hospitals
with over 500 beds pay the highest hourly wage at $1584
and that hospitals with fewer than 100 beds pay the lowest
hourly wage at $1375 Figure 22 The overall sample size
(lt30) for this occupational level was too small for meaning-
ful statistical analysis of pay rates by all institutions sur-
veyed The data indicate that the average age for staff PBTs
is 4179 years
Lead PBTs are paid a mean (SD) hourly wage of $1696
($344 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4322 years PBT man-
agers earn a mean (SD) hourly wage of $2108 ($701 Figure
7) The average annual wages of PBTs by job level are listed
in Table 2 This group has an average age of 4428 years
Analysis of average hourly wages paid by facilities for
leads supervisors managers and directors was not per-
formed due to the small sample size (lt30) of each level
But overall academic hospitals with over 500 beds pay the
highest hourly wage at $1635 and academic hospitals with
less than 100 beds at $1413 for PBTs Figure 23
Geographically PBTs regardless of position level are paid
a significantly higher wage in Washington State and lowest
in Michigan Table 9
Most PBT respondents are found in the phlebotomy and
allmultiple departments They are paid an average hourly
wage of $1546 and $1527 respectively The average age
for all PBT respondents is 4212 years which is younger
than the national average (Figure 8) Overall PBTs have an
average of 1160 years of total experience in the laboratory
field and 824 years working in their current title (Figures 9
and 10)
Analysis of the average age for PBT managers and directors
was not performed due to the small sample size For the same
reason analysis of average age by state was not performed
Specialists in Blood Banking
Staff-level SBBs are paid a mean (SD) hourly rate of $2851
($946 Figure 7) This group has an average age of 4558 years
SBB leads make a mean (SD) hourly wage of $3105
($610 Figure 7) Data indicate that the average age for lead
SBBs is 4242 years SBB supervisors earn a mean (SD)
hourly rate of $3443 ($637 Figure 7) with a mean age of 4924
years The mean (SD) hourly wage for SBB managers is $4505
($996 Figure 7) The average annual wages of SBBs by job
level are listed in Table 2 Results indicate that the average age
for managers is 4979 years while directors are at 5171 years
Most SBB respondents are found in the blood bank de-
partment which pays them an average hourly wage of
$3137 The average age for all SBB respondents is 4767
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
$3516
$3211 $3106 $3099 $3031 $3002 $3001 $2981 $2908 $2845 $2834 $2791
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40A
ve
rag
e H
ou
rly W
ag
e (
$)
Figure 21 Average hourly wage of all medical laboratory scientistmedical technologistclinical laboratory scientist (MLSMT
CLS) respondents by department
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 351DOI 101093ajcpaqw220351Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Results show that SBBs have an average of 1700 years of
total experience working in the field and have been working
in their current title for 872 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility and state as well as
average age by state for SBBs was not performed because
the results would provide statistically insignificant values
For the same reason average ages by state of each level
were not analyzed
Administration
The mean (SD) hourly wage for administration man-
agers is $4315 ($1101 Figure 7) The average age of man-
agers is 5157 years Administration directors earn a mean
(SD) hourly wage of $5910 ($2122 Figure 7) The average
annual wages of administrative personnel by job level are
listed in Table 2 Data indicate that the average age for di-
rectors is 5504 years
Administrative personnel are the oldest group of labora-
tory professionals with an overall average age of 5362
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
Overall administrative personnel have an average of 1606
total years of experience in the laboratory field and 952
years in their current occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was not performed
Laboratory Information Systems
Staff-level LIS personnel are paid a mean (SD) hourly
wage of $3361 ($704 Figure 7) The mean age for LIS
staff is 4820 years
Leads have an average age of 5167 years supervisors
5263 years and managers 5067 years The average age for
all LIS respondents is 4973 years which is older than the
national average (Figure 8) According to survey results
LIS personnel have an average of 1470 years of total expe-
rience in the laboratory field and have been working in their
current title for 859 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was performed
Summary
Compared with the 2013 ASCP wage survey salaries are
up for all staff-level laboratory professionals except PBTs and
PAs who have a ndash40 and ndash650 change in annual hourly
wage respectively Table 10 The annual hourly wages for
leads were also up in 2015 except for CTs (ndash130) and
SBBs (ndash331) Table 11 Supervisorsrsquo annual hourly wages
however are down except for MLTsCLTs PAs and MLSs
MTsCLSs at 1210 583 and 187 respectively
Table 12 Manager- and director-level comparisons were not
conducted due to small sample size LAs and PBTs regardless
of level continue to have lower salaries while PAs and
administration personnel have higher salaries than the rest of
the laboratory professions surveyed
Table 8Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Scientists
Medical TechnologistsClinical Laboratory Scientists by State
From Highest to Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory ScientistMedical
TechnologistClinical Laboratory Scientist Hourly Wage
California $4620
Nevada $3494
Oregon $3324
Massachusetts $3262
Connecticut $3253
Washington $3190
New York $3087
Arizona $3082
Minnesota $3060
Colorado $3054
New Jersey $3020
New Hampshire $2999
Maryland $2933
Georgia $2881
Idaho $2814
Montana $2795
Kansas $2753
New Mexico $2737
Missouri $2735
South Carolina $2729
Pennsylvania $2728
Wisconsin $2725
Florida $2710
Kentucky $2697
Virginia $2697
Indiana $2694
Ohio $2687
Illinois $2683
Texas $2682
Nebraska $2679
Michigan $2615
Maine $2605
Tennessee $2597
Oklahoma $2589
Louisiana $2585
Iowa $2579
West Virginia $2568
North Carolina $2499
Utah $2487
Mississippi $2461
North Dakota $2458
Alabama $2457
Arkansas $2444
South Dakota $2441
Puerto Rico $1526
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
352 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology352 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Although salaries appear to have increased over time
for the overall profession there is not a considerable differ-
ence between the average hourly wages of laboratory pro-
fessionals working as they accumulate more years of
experience in the field Table 13 For example the average
hourly wage for HTs for the first 5 years is $2277 It was
found that HTs received a pay raise after 6 to 10 years of
work experience earning an average of $2525 per hour
However it appears that there is a wage cap around $2800
per hour for HTs with more than 16 years of experience
$1635
$1607
$1575
$1565
$1506
$1498
$1488
$1483
$1413
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600 $1650
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Overall Hourly Wage for PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 23 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) phlebotomist (PBT) respondents by facility
$1584
$1557
$1548
$1476
$1468
$1466
$1465
$1450
$1426
$1375
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonp t
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 22 Average hourly wage of staff phlebotomists (PBTs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 353DOI 101093ajcpaqw220353Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
For MLTsCLTs the average hourly wage is $1889 for the
first 5 years of experience While MLTsCLTs tended to re-
ceive an increased hourly wage for every 5 years of work
experience those working for 36 to 40 years only earn
$718 per hour more than those with 0 to 5 years of experi-
ence On average PBTs earn $1361 per hour for 0 to 5
years of experience with an average of approximately
$100 for every 5 years of experience The survey has also
revealed a potential wage cap around $1800 per hour for
PBTs with more than 20 years of experience
This year we also looked at the average wage of labo-
ratory professionals based on age and found that salaries
continue to increase considerably for every age range except
LAs and PBTs Table 14 MLSsMTsCLSs aged 55 years
and older experience a wage cap at $3282
In addition to analyzing wages this survey also asked
questions to gain an in-depth perspective on the laboratory
workforce The US Department of Laborrsquos Bureau of Labor
Statistics reported that the job outlook for medical and
clinical laboratory technologists and technicians between
2014 and 2024 is expected to grow 16 which is faster
than the average rate1 Figure 8 suggests strategic focus on
recruitment and supports the results of the ASCP 2014
Vacancy Survey (httpajcpascpjournalsorgcontent
1443432fullpdf) on filling the upcoming vacancies
Results show that laboratory professionals are aging and
therefore the field needs to fill the vacancies with
qualified laboratory professionals There is also a need for
recruiting younger laboratory professionals because ac-
cording to the survey results the youngest group are the
PAs with an average age of 3947 years Recruitment
Table 9Average Annual Salaries for Phlebotomists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Phlebotomist Hourly Wage
Washington $1839
Massachusetts $1819
Minnesota $1807
Oregon $1778
Maryland $1720
New York $1639
Virginia $1628
Wisconsin $1610
Montana $1607
Pennsylvania $1586
Illinois $1570
Colorado $1523
Texas $1505
North Carolina $1449
South Carolina $1444
Florida $1428
Indiana $1406
Ohio $1404
Georgia $1377
Missouri $1361
Tennessee $1332
Michigan $1325
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Table 10Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Staff
Between 2013 and 2015a
Staff 2015 2013 Change
CG $3110 $2863 86
CT $3239 $3145 30
MLSMTCLS $2790 $2713 28
LA $1645 $1603 26
MLTCLT $2089 $2049 20
HT $2441 $2396 19
MB $2745 $2696 18
SBB $2851 $2807 15
HTL $2682 $2663 07
PBT $1497 $1560 40
PA $4330 $4632 65
PI or QA $3837 NA NA
LIS $3361 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 11Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Leads
Between 2013 and 2015a
Lead 2015 2013 Change
CG $3551 $3222 1022
HTL $3051 $2876 607
MLTCLT $2355 $2238 522
HT $2801 $2681 448
MLSMTCLS $3154 $3081 236
PBT $1696 $1671 149
CT $3474 $3520 130
SBB $3105 $3211 331
LA $1782 NA NA
MB $3465 NA NA
PA $4781 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 12Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for
Supervisors Between 2013 and 2015a
Supervisor 2015 2013 Change
MLTCLT $2533 $2260 1210
PA $5158 $4874 583
MLSMTCLS $3343 $3282 187
SBB $3443 $3444 ndash004
CT $3695 $3709 ndash038
HTL $3191 $3241 ndash155
HT $3073 $3129 ndash180
CG $3863 $3995 ndash332
MB $3866 NA NA
PBT $2108 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
354 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology354 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
should focus on the following occupational titles CT
HTL MLSMTCLS PI or QA SBB administration and
LIS as their average ages are higher compared with the
national average (Figure 8)
In addition to recruitment retention warrants the same
focus According to Rex Famitangco2 chair of the ASCP
Council of Laboratory Professionals (CLP) ldquoStriving to re-
tain quality staff is a vital part of maintaining a laboratoryrsquos
Table 13Total Years of Experience at Current Occupational Title by Average Hourly Wagea
Time in Current Title y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PA PBT
0-5 $2620 $2833 $2277 $2469 $1516 $1889 $2527 $2621 $4300 $1361
6-10 $3007 $3093 $2525 $2772 $1700 $2089 $2798 $2991 $4489 $1469
11-15 $3304 $3215 $2657 $2952 $1745 $2209 $2979 NA $4693 $1662
16-20 $3593 $3579 $2871 NA NA $2366 $3050 NA NA $1725
21-25 $3718 $3681 $2883 NA NA $2412 $3155 NA NA $1827
26-30 $3835 $3834 $2825 $3279 NA $2512 $3257 NA NA $1810
31-35 NA $3580 NA NA NA $2588 $3308 NA NA NA
36-40 NA $3585 NA NA NA $2607 $3316 NA NA NA
41thorn NA NA NA NA NA $3281 $3281 NA NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PI or QA staff were not included due to its small sample size
Table 14Age by Average Hourly Wagea
Age y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PBT
18-24 NA NA NA NA NA $1760 $2270 NA $1316
25-34 $2823 $2881 $2330 $2446 $1677 $1945 $2545 $2591 $1439
35-44 $3203 $3236 $2575 $2867 $1700 $2085 $2861 $3033 $1508
45-54 $3631 $3449 $2720 $2890 $1704 $2296 $3120 NA $1609
55-64 NA $3703 $2751 $3206 $1794 $2465 $3282 NA $1737
65-74 NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
75thorn NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PAs were not included due to its small sample size
Table 15Percent of Responses per BenefitPerk Offered by Institution
Perks Offered by Institution Total of Responses per Category
Medicalvision benefits 8818
Dental benefits 8469
Pensionretirement benefits 6704
Free or convenient employee parking 6688
Premium pay for overtime holidays and weekends 5947
Paying for continuing education 3957
Paying for tuition 3885
Flexible work hours 2497
Miscellaneous bonuses (eg tied to work company performance etc) 2485
Bonuses not directly tied to work (including holidays and profit-sharing bonuses) 2299
On-call pay 1961
Paying for certifications or qualifications 1720
Monetary bonus (eg sign-on bonus referral bonus miscellaneous bonuses) 1684
Transportation allowances 1174
Paying for professional memberships 1035
Daycare 780
Uniform allowances 700
Laptop or tablet 682
Providing a company phone for you 546
Free or subsidized room and board 086
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 355DOI 101093ajcpaqw220355Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
functionalityrdquo Employee development such as training
continuing education and mentoring can prove beneficial in
retaining staff2 Survey respondents were asked about the
benefits and perks they receive from their institution
and medicaldentalvision pensionretirement overtime
holidayweekends and employee parking were the top
fringe benefits they receive Paying for continuing educa-
tion certifications professional memberships and day care
were among the benefits that are not provided to many labo-
ratory professionals Table 15
Last this survey asked the respondents to provide com-
ments after the completion of the survey We received a total
of 2230 comments and found that 2762 addressed being un-
derpaidunderappreciated 2166 of them addressed the need
for increased wages andraises 1493 provided suggestions
for future surveys 3018 expressed appreciation for the
opportunity this survey provides in giving the laboratory pro-
fessionals a platform to encourage advocacy and 561 were
categorized as ldquoOtherrdquo Institutions are encouraged to take into
consideration laboratory professionalsrsquo compensation and base
their pay on level of education training years of experience
and cost of living as well as making their pay comparable to
other allied health professionals with higher salaries
Corresponding author Edna Garcia MPH 1225 New York Ave
NW Ste 350 Washington DC 20009 ednagarciaascporg
Contributors Carter Ainsworth ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Andrea Bennett MPH
MT (ASCP) ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp Policy
Washington DC Matthew Schulze ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Patricia Tanabe MPA
MLS (ASCP)CM ASCP Board of Certification Chicago IL and
Elizabeth Waibel MPH ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp
Policy Washington DC
Reviewers Mark Bailey MA HTL (ASCP)CM The University
of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Alexandra
Brown MD FASCP ASCP Institute of Science Technology and
Policy Washington DC Lynnette G Chakkaphak MS MT
(ASCP) St Vincentrsquos HealthCare Jacksonville FL Vicki S
Freeman PhD MASCP MLS (ASCP)CM SCCM FACB The
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Jack A Hager
MT (ASCP) SBB Oregon Health and Science University
Portland Rex F Famitangco MS MLS (ASCP)CM QLC MT
(AMT) CLC AHI Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff Carlo Joseph Ledesma MT (ASCP) Rose State
College Midwest City OK and Babatunde Oloyede PhD MLS
(ASCP) Federal Medical Center Durham NC
References
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbookhttpwwwblsgovoohhealthcaremedical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicianshtm Accessed July 182016
2 Famitangco R Investing in employees investing in the futureCrit Values 2016910-12
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
356 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology356 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Results show that SBBs have an average of 1700 years of
total experience working in the field and have been working
in their current title for 872 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility and state as well as
average age by state for SBBs was not performed because
the results would provide statistically insignificant values
For the same reason average ages by state of each level
were not analyzed
Administration
The mean (SD) hourly wage for administration man-
agers is $4315 ($1101 Figure 7) The average age of man-
agers is 5157 years Administration directors earn a mean
(SD) hourly wage of $5910 ($2122 Figure 7) The average
annual wages of administrative personnel by job level are
listed in Table 2 Data indicate that the average age for di-
rectors is 5504 years
Administrative personnel are the oldest group of labora-
tory professionals with an overall average age of 5362
years which is older than the national average (Figure 8)
Overall administrative personnel have an average of 1606
total years of experience in the laboratory field and 952
years in their current occupational title (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was not performed
Laboratory Information Systems
Staff-level LIS personnel are paid a mean (SD) hourly
wage of $3361 ($704 Figure 7) The mean age for LIS
staff is 4820 years
Leads have an average age of 5167 years supervisors
5263 years and managers 5067 years The average age for
all LIS respondents is 4973 years which is older than the
national average (Figure 8) According to survey results
LIS personnel have an average of 1470 years of total expe-
rience in the laboratory field and have been working in their
current title for 859 years (Figures 9 and 10)
Analysis of wage data by facility department and state
for administrative personnel was not performed because the
results would provide statistically insignificant values For
the same reasons analysis of the average age for staff leads
and supervisors and average age by state was performed
Summary
Compared with the 2013 ASCP wage survey salaries are
up for all staff-level laboratory professionals except PBTs and
PAs who have a ndash40 and ndash650 change in annual hourly
wage respectively Table 10 The annual hourly wages for
leads were also up in 2015 except for CTs (ndash130) and
SBBs (ndash331) Table 11 Supervisorsrsquo annual hourly wages
however are down except for MLTsCLTs PAs and MLSs
MTsCLSs at 1210 583 and 187 respectively
Table 12 Manager- and director-level comparisons were not
conducted due to small sample size LAs and PBTs regardless
of level continue to have lower salaries while PAs and
administration personnel have higher salaries than the rest of
the laboratory professions surveyed
Table 8Average Annual Salaries for Medical Laboratory Scientists
Medical TechnologistsClinical Laboratory Scientists by State
From Highest to Lowest Payinga
Medical Laboratory ScientistMedical
TechnologistClinical Laboratory Scientist Hourly Wage
California $4620
Nevada $3494
Oregon $3324
Massachusetts $3262
Connecticut $3253
Washington $3190
New York $3087
Arizona $3082
Minnesota $3060
Colorado $3054
New Jersey $3020
New Hampshire $2999
Maryland $2933
Georgia $2881
Idaho $2814
Montana $2795
Kansas $2753
New Mexico $2737
Missouri $2735
South Carolina $2729
Pennsylvania $2728
Wisconsin $2725
Florida $2710
Kentucky $2697
Virginia $2697
Indiana $2694
Ohio $2687
Illinois $2683
Texas $2682
Nebraska $2679
Michigan $2615
Maine $2605
Tennessee $2597
Oklahoma $2589
Louisiana $2585
Iowa $2579
West Virginia $2568
North Carolina $2499
Utah $2487
Mississippi $2461
North Dakota $2458
Alabama $2457
Arkansas $2444
South Dakota $2441
Puerto Rico $1526
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
352 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology352 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Although salaries appear to have increased over time
for the overall profession there is not a considerable differ-
ence between the average hourly wages of laboratory pro-
fessionals working as they accumulate more years of
experience in the field Table 13 For example the average
hourly wage for HTs for the first 5 years is $2277 It was
found that HTs received a pay raise after 6 to 10 years of
work experience earning an average of $2525 per hour
However it appears that there is a wage cap around $2800
per hour for HTs with more than 16 years of experience
$1635
$1607
$1575
$1565
$1506
$1498
$1488
$1483
$1413
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600 $1650
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Overall Hourly Wage for PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 23 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) phlebotomist (PBT) respondents by facility
$1584
$1557
$1548
$1476
$1468
$1466
$1465
$1450
$1426
$1375
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonp t
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 22 Average hourly wage of staff phlebotomists (PBTs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 353DOI 101093ajcpaqw220353Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
For MLTsCLTs the average hourly wage is $1889 for the
first 5 years of experience While MLTsCLTs tended to re-
ceive an increased hourly wage for every 5 years of work
experience those working for 36 to 40 years only earn
$718 per hour more than those with 0 to 5 years of experi-
ence On average PBTs earn $1361 per hour for 0 to 5
years of experience with an average of approximately
$100 for every 5 years of experience The survey has also
revealed a potential wage cap around $1800 per hour for
PBTs with more than 20 years of experience
This year we also looked at the average wage of labo-
ratory professionals based on age and found that salaries
continue to increase considerably for every age range except
LAs and PBTs Table 14 MLSsMTsCLSs aged 55 years
and older experience a wage cap at $3282
In addition to analyzing wages this survey also asked
questions to gain an in-depth perspective on the laboratory
workforce The US Department of Laborrsquos Bureau of Labor
Statistics reported that the job outlook for medical and
clinical laboratory technologists and technicians between
2014 and 2024 is expected to grow 16 which is faster
than the average rate1 Figure 8 suggests strategic focus on
recruitment and supports the results of the ASCP 2014
Vacancy Survey (httpajcpascpjournalsorgcontent
1443432fullpdf) on filling the upcoming vacancies
Results show that laboratory professionals are aging and
therefore the field needs to fill the vacancies with
qualified laboratory professionals There is also a need for
recruiting younger laboratory professionals because ac-
cording to the survey results the youngest group are the
PAs with an average age of 3947 years Recruitment
Table 9Average Annual Salaries for Phlebotomists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Phlebotomist Hourly Wage
Washington $1839
Massachusetts $1819
Minnesota $1807
Oregon $1778
Maryland $1720
New York $1639
Virginia $1628
Wisconsin $1610
Montana $1607
Pennsylvania $1586
Illinois $1570
Colorado $1523
Texas $1505
North Carolina $1449
South Carolina $1444
Florida $1428
Indiana $1406
Ohio $1404
Georgia $1377
Missouri $1361
Tennessee $1332
Michigan $1325
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Table 10Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Staff
Between 2013 and 2015a
Staff 2015 2013 Change
CG $3110 $2863 86
CT $3239 $3145 30
MLSMTCLS $2790 $2713 28
LA $1645 $1603 26
MLTCLT $2089 $2049 20
HT $2441 $2396 19
MB $2745 $2696 18
SBB $2851 $2807 15
HTL $2682 $2663 07
PBT $1497 $1560 40
PA $4330 $4632 65
PI or QA $3837 NA NA
LIS $3361 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 11Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Leads
Between 2013 and 2015a
Lead 2015 2013 Change
CG $3551 $3222 1022
HTL $3051 $2876 607
MLTCLT $2355 $2238 522
HT $2801 $2681 448
MLSMTCLS $3154 $3081 236
PBT $1696 $1671 149
CT $3474 $3520 130
SBB $3105 $3211 331
LA $1782 NA NA
MB $3465 NA NA
PA $4781 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 12Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for
Supervisors Between 2013 and 2015a
Supervisor 2015 2013 Change
MLTCLT $2533 $2260 1210
PA $5158 $4874 583
MLSMTCLS $3343 $3282 187
SBB $3443 $3444 ndash004
CT $3695 $3709 ndash038
HTL $3191 $3241 ndash155
HT $3073 $3129 ndash180
CG $3863 $3995 ndash332
MB $3866 NA NA
PBT $2108 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
354 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology354 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
should focus on the following occupational titles CT
HTL MLSMTCLS PI or QA SBB administration and
LIS as their average ages are higher compared with the
national average (Figure 8)
In addition to recruitment retention warrants the same
focus According to Rex Famitangco2 chair of the ASCP
Council of Laboratory Professionals (CLP) ldquoStriving to re-
tain quality staff is a vital part of maintaining a laboratoryrsquos
Table 13Total Years of Experience at Current Occupational Title by Average Hourly Wagea
Time in Current Title y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PA PBT
0-5 $2620 $2833 $2277 $2469 $1516 $1889 $2527 $2621 $4300 $1361
6-10 $3007 $3093 $2525 $2772 $1700 $2089 $2798 $2991 $4489 $1469
11-15 $3304 $3215 $2657 $2952 $1745 $2209 $2979 NA $4693 $1662
16-20 $3593 $3579 $2871 NA NA $2366 $3050 NA NA $1725
21-25 $3718 $3681 $2883 NA NA $2412 $3155 NA NA $1827
26-30 $3835 $3834 $2825 $3279 NA $2512 $3257 NA NA $1810
31-35 NA $3580 NA NA NA $2588 $3308 NA NA NA
36-40 NA $3585 NA NA NA $2607 $3316 NA NA NA
41thorn NA NA NA NA NA $3281 $3281 NA NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PI or QA staff were not included due to its small sample size
Table 14Age by Average Hourly Wagea
Age y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PBT
18-24 NA NA NA NA NA $1760 $2270 NA $1316
25-34 $2823 $2881 $2330 $2446 $1677 $1945 $2545 $2591 $1439
35-44 $3203 $3236 $2575 $2867 $1700 $2085 $2861 $3033 $1508
45-54 $3631 $3449 $2720 $2890 $1704 $2296 $3120 NA $1609
55-64 NA $3703 $2751 $3206 $1794 $2465 $3282 NA $1737
65-74 NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
75thorn NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PAs were not included due to its small sample size
Table 15Percent of Responses per BenefitPerk Offered by Institution
Perks Offered by Institution Total of Responses per Category
Medicalvision benefits 8818
Dental benefits 8469
Pensionretirement benefits 6704
Free or convenient employee parking 6688
Premium pay for overtime holidays and weekends 5947
Paying for continuing education 3957
Paying for tuition 3885
Flexible work hours 2497
Miscellaneous bonuses (eg tied to work company performance etc) 2485
Bonuses not directly tied to work (including holidays and profit-sharing bonuses) 2299
On-call pay 1961
Paying for certifications or qualifications 1720
Monetary bonus (eg sign-on bonus referral bonus miscellaneous bonuses) 1684
Transportation allowances 1174
Paying for professional memberships 1035
Daycare 780
Uniform allowances 700
Laptop or tablet 682
Providing a company phone for you 546
Free or subsidized room and board 086
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 355DOI 101093ajcpaqw220355Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
functionalityrdquo Employee development such as training
continuing education and mentoring can prove beneficial in
retaining staff2 Survey respondents were asked about the
benefits and perks they receive from their institution
and medicaldentalvision pensionretirement overtime
holidayweekends and employee parking were the top
fringe benefits they receive Paying for continuing educa-
tion certifications professional memberships and day care
were among the benefits that are not provided to many labo-
ratory professionals Table 15
Last this survey asked the respondents to provide com-
ments after the completion of the survey We received a total
of 2230 comments and found that 2762 addressed being un-
derpaidunderappreciated 2166 of them addressed the need
for increased wages andraises 1493 provided suggestions
for future surveys 3018 expressed appreciation for the
opportunity this survey provides in giving the laboratory pro-
fessionals a platform to encourage advocacy and 561 were
categorized as ldquoOtherrdquo Institutions are encouraged to take into
consideration laboratory professionalsrsquo compensation and base
their pay on level of education training years of experience
and cost of living as well as making their pay comparable to
other allied health professionals with higher salaries
Corresponding author Edna Garcia MPH 1225 New York Ave
NW Ste 350 Washington DC 20009 ednagarciaascporg
Contributors Carter Ainsworth ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Andrea Bennett MPH
MT (ASCP) ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp Policy
Washington DC Matthew Schulze ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Patricia Tanabe MPA
MLS (ASCP)CM ASCP Board of Certification Chicago IL and
Elizabeth Waibel MPH ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp
Policy Washington DC
Reviewers Mark Bailey MA HTL (ASCP)CM The University
of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Alexandra
Brown MD FASCP ASCP Institute of Science Technology and
Policy Washington DC Lynnette G Chakkaphak MS MT
(ASCP) St Vincentrsquos HealthCare Jacksonville FL Vicki S
Freeman PhD MASCP MLS (ASCP)CM SCCM FACB The
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Jack A Hager
MT (ASCP) SBB Oregon Health and Science University
Portland Rex F Famitangco MS MLS (ASCP)CM QLC MT
(AMT) CLC AHI Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff Carlo Joseph Ledesma MT (ASCP) Rose State
College Midwest City OK and Babatunde Oloyede PhD MLS
(ASCP) Federal Medical Center Durham NC
References
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbookhttpwwwblsgovoohhealthcaremedical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicianshtm Accessed July 182016
2 Famitangco R Investing in employees investing in the futureCrit Values 2016910-12
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
356 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology356 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
Although salaries appear to have increased over time
for the overall profession there is not a considerable differ-
ence between the average hourly wages of laboratory pro-
fessionals working as they accumulate more years of
experience in the field Table 13 For example the average
hourly wage for HTs for the first 5 years is $2277 It was
found that HTs received a pay raise after 6 to 10 years of
work experience earning an average of $2525 per hour
However it appears that there is a wage cap around $2800
per hour for HTs with more than 16 years of experience
$1635
$1607
$1575
$1565
$1506
$1498
$1488
$1483
$1413
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600 $1650
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Nonacademic hospital 300-499 beds
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Overall Hourly Wage for PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 23 Average hourly wage of all (staff lead manager supervisor director) phlebotomist (PBT) respondents by facility
$1584
$1557
$1548
$1476
$1468
$1466
$1465
$1450
$1426
$1375
$1250 $1300 $1350 $1400 $1450 $1500 $1550 $1600
Academic hospital gt500 beds
Reference laboratoryIndependent laboratory
Outpatient clinic laboratory
Nonp t
Nonacademic hospital lt100 beds
Physicianrsquos y
Nonacademic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 100-299 beds
Academic hospital 300-499 beds
Academic hospital lt100 beds
Average Hourly Wage for Staff PBT
Fa
cilit
ies
Figure 22 Average hourly wage of staff phlebotomists (PBTs) by facility
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 353DOI 101093ajcpaqw220353Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
For MLTsCLTs the average hourly wage is $1889 for the
first 5 years of experience While MLTsCLTs tended to re-
ceive an increased hourly wage for every 5 years of work
experience those working for 36 to 40 years only earn
$718 per hour more than those with 0 to 5 years of experi-
ence On average PBTs earn $1361 per hour for 0 to 5
years of experience with an average of approximately
$100 for every 5 years of experience The survey has also
revealed a potential wage cap around $1800 per hour for
PBTs with more than 20 years of experience
This year we also looked at the average wage of labo-
ratory professionals based on age and found that salaries
continue to increase considerably for every age range except
LAs and PBTs Table 14 MLSsMTsCLSs aged 55 years
and older experience a wage cap at $3282
In addition to analyzing wages this survey also asked
questions to gain an in-depth perspective on the laboratory
workforce The US Department of Laborrsquos Bureau of Labor
Statistics reported that the job outlook for medical and
clinical laboratory technologists and technicians between
2014 and 2024 is expected to grow 16 which is faster
than the average rate1 Figure 8 suggests strategic focus on
recruitment and supports the results of the ASCP 2014
Vacancy Survey (httpajcpascpjournalsorgcontent
1443432fullpdf) on filling the upcoming vacancies
Results show that laboratory professionals are aging and
therefore the field needs to fill the vacancies with
qualified laboratory professionals There is also a need for
recruiting younger laboratory professionals because ac-
cording to the survey results the youngest group are the
PAs with an average age of 3947 years Recruitment
Table 9Average Annual Salaries for Phlebotomists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Phlebotomist Hourly Wage
Washington $1839
Massachusetts $1819
Minnesota $1807
Oregon $1778
Maryland $1720
New York $1639
Virginia $1628
Wisconsin $1610
Montana $1607
Pennsylvania $1586
Illinois $1570
Colorado $1523
Texas $1505
North Carolina $1449
South Carolina $1444
Florida $1428
Indiana $1406
Ohio $1404
Georgia $1377
Missouri $1361
Tennessee $1332
Michigan $1325
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Table 10Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Staff
Between 2013 and 2015a
Staff 2015 2013 Change
CG $3110 $2863 86
CT $3239 $3145 30
MLSMTCLS $2790 $2713 28
LA $1645 $1603 26
MLTCLT $2089 $2049 20
HT $2441 $2396 19
MB $2745 $2696 18
SBB $2851 $2807 15
HTL $2682 $2663 07
PBT $1497 $1560 40
PA $4330 $4632 65
PI or QA $3837 NA NA
LIS $3361 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 11Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Leads
Between 2013 and 2015a
Lead 2015 2013 Change
CG $3551 $3222 1022
HTL $3051 $2876 607
MLTCLT $2355 $2238 522
HT $2801 $2681 448
MLSMTCLS $3154 $3081 236
PBT $1696 $1671 149
CT $3474 $3520 130
SBB $3105 $3211 331
LA $1782 NA NA
MB $3465 NA NA
PA $4781 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 12Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for
Supervisors Between 2013 and 2015a
Supervisor 2015 2013 Change
MLTCLT $2533 $2260 1210
PA $5158 $4874 583
MLSMTCLS $3343 $3282 187
SBB $3443 $3444 ndash004
CT $3695 $3709 ndash038
HTL $3191 $3241 ndash155
HT $3073 $3129 ndash180
CG $3863 $3995 ndash332
MB $3866 NA NA
PBT $2108 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
354 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology354 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
should focus on the following occupational titles CT
HTL MLSMTCLS PI or QA SBB administration and
LIS as their average ages are higher compared with the
national average (Figure 8)
In addition to recruitment retention warrants the same
focus According to Rex Famitangco2 chair of the ASCP
Council of Laboratory Professionals (CLP) ldquoStriving to re-
tain quality staff is a vital part of maintaining a laboratoryrsquos
Table 13Total Years of Experience at Current Occupational Title by Average Hourly Wagea
Time in Current Title y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PA PBT
0-5 $2620 $2833 $2277 $2469 $1516 $1889 $2527 $2621 $4300 $1361
6-10 $3007 $3093 $2525 $2772 $1700 $2089 $2798 $2991 $4489 $1469
11-15 $3304 $3215 $2657 $2952 $1745 $2209 $2979 NA $4693 $1662
16-20 $3593 $3579 $2871 NA NA $2366 $3050 NA NA $1725
21-25 $3718 $3681 $2883 NA NA $2412 $3155 NA NA $1827
26-30 $3835 $3834 $2825 $3279 NA $2512 $3257 NA NA $1810
31-35 NA $3580 NA NA NA $2588 $3308 NA NA NA
36-40 NA $3585 NA NA NA $2607 $3316 NA NA NA
41thorn NA NA NA NA NA $3281 $3281 NA NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PI or QA staff were not included due to its small sample size
Table 14Age by Average Hourly Wagea
Age y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PBT
18-24 NA NA NA NA NA $1760 $2270 NA $1316
25-34 $2823 $2881 $2330 $2446 $1677 $1945 $2545 $2591 $1439
35-44 $3203 $3236 $2575 $2867 $1700 $2085 $2861 $3033 $1508
45-54 $3631 $3449 $2720 $2890 $1704 $2296 $3120 NA $1609
55-64 NA $3703 $2751 $3206 $1794 $2465 $3282 NA $1737
65-74 NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
75thorn NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PAs were not included due to its small sample size
Table 15Percent of Responses per BenefitPerk Offered by Institution
Perks Offered by Institution Total of Responses per Category
Medicalvision benefits 8818
Dental benefits 8469
Pensionretirement benefits 6704
Free or convenient employee parking 6688
Premium pay for overtime holidays and weekends 5947
Paying for continuing education 3957
Paying for tuition 3885
Flexible work hours 2497
Miscellaneous bonuses (eg tied to work company performance etc) 2485
Bonuses not directly tied to work (including holidays and profit-sharing bonuses) 2299
On-call pay 1961
Paying for certifications or qualifications 1720
Monetary bonus (eg sign-on bonus referral bonus miscellaneous bonuses) 1684
Transportation allowances 1174
Paying for professional memberships 1035
Daycare 780
Uniform allowances 700
Laptop or tablet 682
Providing a company phone for you 546
Free or subsidized room and board 086
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 355DOI 101093ajcpaqw220355Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
functionalityrdquo Employee development such as training
continuing education and mentoring can prove beneficial in
retaining staff2 Survey respondents were asked about the
benefits and perks they receive from their institution
and medicaldentalvision pensionretirement overtime
holidayweekends and employee parking were the top
fringe benefits they receive Paying for continuing educa-
tion certifications professional memberships and day care
were among the benefits that are not provided to many labo-
ratory professionals Table 15
Last this survey asked the respondents to provide com-
ments after the completion of the survey We received a total
of 2230 comments and found that 2762 addressed being un-
derpaidunderappreciated 2166 of them addressed the need
for increased wages andraises 1493 provided suggestions
for future surveys 3018 expressed appreciation for the
opportunity this survey provides in giving the laboratory pro-
fessionals a platform to encourage advocacy and 561 were
categorized as ldquoOtherrdquo Institutions are encouraged to take into
consideration laboratory professionalsrsquo compensation and base
their pay on level of education training years of experience
and cost of living as well as making their pay comparable to
other allied health professionals with higher salaries
Corresponding author Edna Garcia MPH 1225 New York Ave
NW Ste 350 Washington DC 20009 ednagarciaascporg
Contributors Carter Ainsworth ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Andrea Bennett MPH
MT (ASCP) ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp Policy
Washington DC Matthew Schulze ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Patricia Tanabe MPA
MLS (ASCP)CM ASCP Board of Certification Chicago IL and
Elizabeth Waibel MPH ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp
Policy Washington DC
Reviewers Mark Bailey MA HTL (ASCP)CM The University
of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Alexandra
Brown MD FASCP ASCP Institute of Science Technology and
Policy Washington DC Lynnette G Chakkaphak MS MT
(ASCP) St Vincentrsquos HealthCare Jacksonville FL Vicki S
Freeman PhD MASCP MLS (ASCP)CM SCCM FACB The
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Jack A Hager
MT (ASCP) SBB Oregon Health and Science University
Portland Rex F Famitangco MS MLS (ASCP)CM QLC MT
(AMT) CLC AHI Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff Carlo Joseph Ledesma MT (ASCP) Rose State
College Midwest City OK and Babatunde Oloyede PhD MLS
(ASCP) Federal Medical Center Durham NC
References
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbookhttpwwwblsgovoohhealthcaremedical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicianshtm Accessed July 182016
2 Famitangco R Investing in employees investing in the futureCrit Values 2016910-12
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
356 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology356 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
For MLTsCLTs the average hourly wage is $1889 for the
first 5 years of experience While MLTsCLTs tended to re-
ceive an increased hourly wage for every 5 years of work
experience those working for 36 to 40 years only earn
$718 per hour more than those with 0 to 5 years of experi-
ence On average PBTs earn $1361 per hour for 0 to 5
years of experience with an average of approximately
$100 for every 5 years of experience The survey has also
revealed a potential wage cap around $1800 per hour for
PBTs with more than 20 years of experience
This year we also looked at the average wage of labo-
ratory professionals based on age and found that salaries
continue to increase considerably for every age range except
LAs and PBTs Table 14 MLSsMTsCLSs aged 55 years
and older experience a wage cap at $3282
In addition to analyzing wages this survey also asked
questions to gain an in-depth perspective on the laboratory
workforce The US Department of Laborrsquos Bureau of Labor
Statistics reported that the job outlook for medical and
clinical laboratory technologists and technicians between
2014 and 2024 is expected to grow 16 which is faster
than the average rate1 Figure 8 suggests strategic focus on
recruitment and supports the results of the ASCP 2014
Vacancy Survey (httpajcpascpjournalsorgcontent
1443432fullpdf) on filling the upcoming vacancies
Results show that laboratory professionals are aging and
therefore the field needs to fill the vacancies with
qualified laboratory professionals There is also a need for
recruiting younger laboratory professionals because ac-
cording to the survey results the youngest group are the
PAs with an average age of 3947 years Recruitment
Table 9Average Annual Salaries for Phlebotomists by State From
Highest to Lowest Payinga
Phlebotomist Hourly Wage
Washington $1839
Massachusetts $1819
Minnesota $1807
Oregon $1778
Maryland $1720
New York $1639
Virginia $1628
Wisconsin $1610
Montana $1607
Pennsylvania $1586
Illinois $1570
Colorado $1523
Texas $1505
North Carolina $1449
South Carolina $1444
Florida $1428
Indiana $1406
Ohio $1404
Georgia $1377
Missouri $1361
Tennessee $1332
Michigan $1325
aSample size was less than 30 for the rest of the states and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons
Table 10Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Staff
Between 2013 and 2015a
Staff 2015 2013 Change
CG $3110 $2863 86
CT $3239 $3145 30
MLSMTCLS $2790 $2713 28
LA $1645 $1603 26
MLTCLT $2089 $2049 20
HT $2441 $2396 19
MB $2745 $2696 18
SBB $2851 $2807 15
HTL $2682 $2663 07
PBT $1497 $1560 40
PA $4330 $4632 65
PI or QA $3837 NA NA
LIS $3361 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 11Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for Leads
Between 2013 and 2015a
Lead 2015 2013 Change
CG $3551 $3222 1022
HTL $3051 $2876 607
MLTCLT $2355 $2238 522
HT $2801 $2681 448
MLSMTCLS $3154 $3081 236
PBT $1696 $1671 149
CT $3474 $3520 130
SBB $3105 $3211 331
LA $1782 NA NA
MB $3465 NA NA
PA $4781 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Table 12Percent Change in Overall Annual Hourly Wage for
Supervisors Between 2013 and 2015a
Supervisor 2015 2013 Change
MLTCLT $2533 $2260 1210
PA $5158 $4874 583
MLSMTCLS $3343 $3282 187
SBB $3443 $3444 ndash004
CT $3695 $3709 ndash038
HTL $3191 $3241 ndash155
HT $3073 $3129 ndash180
CG $3863 $3995 ndash332
MB $3866 NA NA
PBT $2108 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
354 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology354 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
should focus on the following occupational titles CT
HTL MLSMTCLS PI or QA SBB administration and
LIS as their average ages are higher compared with the
national average (Figure 8)
In addition to recruitment retention warrants the same
focus According to Rex Famitangco2 chair of the ASCP
Council of Laboratory Professionals (CLP) ldquoStriving to re-
tain quality staff is a vital part of maintaining a laboratoryrsquos
Table 13Total Years of Experience at Current Occupational Title by Average Hourly Wagea
Time in Current Title y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PA PBT
0-5 $2620 $2833 $2277 $2469 $1516 $1889 $2527 $2621 $4300 $1361
6-10 $3007 $3093 $2525 $2772 $1700 $2089 $2798 $2991 $4489 $1469
11-15 $3304 $3215 $2657 $2952 $1745 $2209 $2979 NA $4693 $1662
16-20 $3593 $3579 $2871 NA NA $2366 $3050 NA NA $1725
21-25 $3718 $3681 $2883 NA NA $2412 $3155 NA NA $1827
26-30 $3835 $3834 $2825 $3279 NA $2512 $3257 NA NA $1810
31-35 NA $3580 NA NA NA $2588 $3308 NA NA NA
36-40 NA $3585 NA NA NA $2607 $3316 NA NA NA
41thorn NA NA NA NA NA $3281 $3281 NA NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PI or QA staff were not included due to its small sample size
Table 14Age by Average Hourly Wagea
Age y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PBT
18-24 NA NA NA NA NA $1760 $2270 NA $1316
25-34 $2823 $2881 $2330 $2446 $1677 $1945 $2545 $2591 $1439
35-44 $3203 $3236 $2575 $2867 $1700 $2085 $2861 $3033 $1508
45-54 $3631 $3449 $2720 $2890 $1704 $2296 $3120 NA $1609
55-64 NA $3703 $2751 $3206 $1794 $2465 $3282 NA $1737
65-74 NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
75thorn NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PAs were not included due to its small sample size
Table 15Percent of Responses per BenefitPerk Offered by Institution
Perks Offered by Institution Total of Responses per Category
Medicalvision benefits 8818
Dental benefits 8469
Pensionretirement benefits 6704
Free or convenient employee parking 6688
Premium pay for overtime holidays and weekends 5947
Paying for continuing education 3957
Paying for tuition 3885
Flexible work hours 2497
Miscellaneous bonuses (eg tied to work company performance etc) 2485
Bonuses not directly tied to work (including holidays and profit-sharing bonuses) 2299
On-call pay 1961
Paying for certifications or qualifications 1720
Monetary bonus (eg sign-on bonus referral bonus miscellaneous bonuses) 1684
Transportation allowances 1174
Paying for professional memberships 1035
Daycare 780
Uniform allowances 700
Laptop or tablet 682
Providing a company phone for you 546
Free or subsidized room and board 086
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 355DOI 101093ajcpaqw220355Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
functionalityrdquo Employee development such as training
continuing education and mentoring can prove beneficial in
retaining staff2 Survey respondents were asked about the
benefits and perks they receive from their institution
and medicaldentalvision pensionretirement overtime
holidayweekends and employee parking were the top
fringe benefits they receive Paying for continuing educa-
tion certifications professional memberships and day care
were among the benefits that are not provided to many labo-
ratory professionals Table 15
Last this survey asked the respondents to provide com-
ments after the completion of the survey We received a total
of 2230 comments and found that 2762 addressed being un-
derpaidunderappreciated 2166 of them addressed the need
for increased wages andraises 1493 provided suggestions
for future surveys 3018 expressed appreciation for the
opportunity this survey provides in giving the laboratory pro-
fessionals a platform to encourage advocacy and 561 were
categorized as ldquoOtherrdquo Institutions are encouraged to take into
consideration laboratory professionalsrsquo compensation and base
their pay on level of education training years of experience
and cost of living as well as making their pay comparable to
other allied health professionals with higher salaries
Corresponding author Edna Garcia MPH 1225 New York Ave
NW Ste 350 Washington DC 20009 ednagarciaascporg
Contributors Carter Ainsworth ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Andrea Bennett MPH
MT (ASCP) ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp Policy
Washington DC Matthew Schulze ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Patricia Tanabe MPA
MLS (ASCP)CM ASCP Board of Certification Chicago IL and
Elizabeth Waibel MPH ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp
Policy Washington DC
Reviewers Mark Bailey MA HTL (ASCP)CM The University
of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Alexandra
Brown MD FASCP ASCP Institute of Science Technology and
Policy Washington DC Lynnette G Chakkaphak MS MT
(ASCP) St Vincentrsquos HealthCare Jacksonville FL Vicki S
Freeman PhD MASCP MLS (ASCP)CM SCCM FACB The
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Jack A Hager
MT (ASCP) SBB Oregon Health and Science University
Portland Rex F Famitangco MS MLS (ASCP)CM QLC MT
(AMT) CLC AHI Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff Carlo Joseph Ledesma MT (ASCP) Rose State
College Midwest City OK and Babatunde Oloyede PhD MLS
(ASCP) Federal Medical Center Durham NC
References
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbookhttpwwwblsgovoohhealthcaremedical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicianshtm Accessed July 182016
2 Famitangco R Investing in employees investing in the futureCrit Values 2016910-12
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
356 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology356 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
should focus on the following occupational titles CT
HTL MLSMTCLS PI or QA SBB administration and
LIS as their average ages are higher compared with the
national average (Figure 8)
In addition to recruitment retention warrants the same
focus According to Rex Famitangco2 chair of the ASCP
Council of Laboratory Professionals (CLP) ldquoStriving to re-
tain quality staff is a vital part of maintaining a laboratoryrsquos
Table 13Total Years of Experience at Current Occupational Title by Average Hourly Wagea
Time in Current Title y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PA PBT
0-5 $2620 $2833 $2277 $2469 $1516 $1889 $2527 $2621 $4300 $1361
6-10 $3007 $3093 $2525 $2772 $1700 $2089 $2798 $2991 $4489 $1469
11-15 $3304 $3215 $2657 $2952 $1745 $2209 $2979 NA $4693 $1662
16-20 $3593 $3579 $2871 NA NA $2366 $3050 NA NA $1725
21-25 $3718 $3681 $2883 NA NA $2412 $3155 NA NA $1827
26-30 $3835 $3834 $2825 $3279 NA $2512 $3257 NA NA $1810
31-35 NA $3580 NA NA NA $2588 $3308 NA NA NA
36-40 NA $3585 NA NA NA $2607 $3316 NA NA NA
41thorn NA NA NA NA NA $3281 $3281 NA NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PI or QA staff were not included due to its small sample size
Table 14Age by Average Hourly Wagea
Age y CG CT HT HTL LA MLTCLT MLSMTCLS MB PBT
18-24 NA NA NA NA NA $1760 $2270 NA $1316
25-34 $2823 $2881 $2330 $2446 $1677 $1945 $2545 $2591 $1439
35-44 $3203 $3236 $2575 $2867 $1700 $2085 $2861 $3033 $1508
45-54 $3631 $3449 $2720 $2890 $1704 $2296 $3120 NA $1609
55-64 NA $3703 $2751 $3206 $1794 $2465 $3282 NA $1737
65-74 NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
75thorn NA NA NA NA NA NA $3282 NA NA
aFor definitions of abbreviations see Table 1 NA not applicable Sample sizes to determine average wage of other time ranges were less than 30 and did not allow for statisti-
cally significant comparisons In addition PAs were not included due to its small sample size
Table 15Percent of Responses per BenefitPerk Offered by Institution
Perks Offered by Institution Total of Responses per Category
Medicalvision benefits 8818
Dental benefits 8469
Pensionretirement benefits 6704
Free or convenient employee parking 6688
Premium pay for overtime holidays and weekends 5947
Paying for continuing education 3957
Paying for tuition 3885
Flexible work hours 2497
Miscellaneous bonuses (eg tied to work company performance etc) 2485
Bonuses not directly tied to work (including holidays and profit-sharing bonuses) 2299
On-call pay 1961
Paying for certifications or qualifications 1720
Monetary bonus (eg sign-on bonus referral bonus miscellaneous bonuses) 1684
Transportation allowances 1174
Paying for professional memberships 1035
Daycare 780
Uniform allowances 700
Laptop or tablet 682
Providing a company phone for you 546
Free or subsidized room and board 086
AJCP ORIGINAL ARTICLE
copy American Society for Clinical Pathology Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 355DOI 101093ajcpaqw220355Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
functionalityrdquo Employee development such as training
continuing education and mentoring can prove beneficial in
retaining staff2 Survey respondents were asked about the
benefits and perks they receive from their institution
and medicaldentalvision pensionretirement overtime
holidayweekends and employee parking were the top
fringe benefits they receive Paying for continuing educa-
tion certifications professional memberships and day care
were among the benefits that are not provided to many labo-
ratory professionals Table 15
Last this survey asked the respondents to provide com-
ments after the completion of the survey We received a total
of 2230 comments and found that 2762 addressed being un-
derpaidunderappreciated 2166 of them addressed the need
for increased wages andraises 1493 provided suggestions
for future surveys 3018 expressed appreciation for the
opportunity this survey provides in giving the laboratory pro-
fessionals a platform to encourage advocacy and 561 were
categorized as ldquoOtherrdquo Institutions are encouraged to take into
consideration laboratory professionalsrsquo compensation and base
their pay on level of education training years of experience
and cost of living as well as making their pay comparable to
other allied health professionals with higher salaries
Corresponding author Edna Garcia MPH 1225 New York Ave
NW Ste 350 Washington DC 20009 ednagarciaascporg
Contributors Carter Ainsworth ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Andrea Bennett MPH
MT (ASCP) ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp Policy
Washington DC Matthew Schulze ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Patricia Tanabe MPA
MLS (ASCP)CM ASCP Board of Certification Chicago IL and
Elizabeth Waibel MPH ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp
Policy Washington DC
Reviewers Mark Bailey MA HTL (ASCP)CM The University
of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Alexandra
Brown MD FASCP ASCP Institute of Science Technology and
Policy Washington DC Lynnette G Chakkaphak MS MT
(ASCP) St Vincentrsquos HealthCare Jacksonville FL Vicki S
Freeman PhD MASCP MLS (ASCP)CM SCCM FACB The
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Jack A Hager
MT (ASCP) SBB Oregon Health and Science University
Portland Rex F Famitangco MS MLS (ASCP)CM QLC MT
(AMT) CLC AHI Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff Carlo Joseph Ledesma MT (ASCP) Rose State
College Midwest City OK and Babatunde Oloyede PhD MLS
(ASCP) Federal Medical Center Durham NC
References
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbookhttpwwwblsgovoohhealthcaremedical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicianshtm Accessed July 182016
2 Famitangco R Investing in employees investing in the futureCrit Values 2016910-12
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
356 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology356 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018
functionalityrdquo Employee development such as training
continuing education and mentoring can prove beneficial in
retaining staff2 Survey respondents were asked about the
benefits and perks they receive from their institution
and medicaldentalvision pensionretirement overtime
holidayweekends and employee parking were the top
fringe benefits they receive Paying for continuing educa-
tion certifications professional memberships and day care
were among the benefits that are not provided to many labo-
ratory professionals Table 15
Last this survey asked the respondents to provide com-
ments after the completion of the survey We received a total
of 2230 comments and found that 2762 addressed being un-
derpaidunderappreciated 2166 of them addressed the need
for increased wages andraises 1493 provided suggestions
for future surveys 3018 expressed appreciation for the
opportunity this survey provides in giving the laboratory pro-
fessionals a platform to encourage advocacy and 561 were
categorized as ldquoOtherrdquo Institutions are encouraged to take into
consideration laboratory professionalsrsquo compensation and base
their pay on level of education training years of experience
and cost of living as well as making their pay comparable to
other allied health professionals with higher salaries
Corresponding author Edna Garcia MPH 1225 New York Ave
NW Ste 350 Washington DC 20009 ednagarciaascporg
Contributors Carter Ainsworth ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Andrea Bennett MPH
MT (ASCP) ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp Policy
Washington DC Matthew Schulze ASCP Institute of Science
Technology amp Policy Washington DC Patricia Tanabe MPA
MLS (ASCP)CM ASCP Board of Certification Chicago IL and
Elizabeth Waibel MPH ASCP Institute of Science Technology amp
Policy Washington DC
Reviewers Mark Bailey MA HTL (ASCP)CM The University
of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Alexandra
Brown MD FASCP ASCP Institute of Science Technology and
Policy Washington DC Lynnette G Chakkaphak MS MT
(ASCP) St Vincentrsquos HealthCare Jacksonville FL Vicki S
Freeman PhD MASCP MLS (ASCP)CM SCCM FACB The
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Jack A Hager
MT (ASCP) SBB Oregon Health and Science University
Portland Rex F Famitangco MS MLS (ASCP)CM QLC MT
(AMT) CLC AHI Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff Carlo Joseph Ledesma MT (ASCP) Rose State
College Midwest City OK and Babatunde Oloyede PhD MLS
(ASCP) Federal Medical Center Durham NC
References
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbookhttpwwwblsgovoohhealthcaremedical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicianshtm Accessed July 182016
2 Famitangco R Investing in employees investing in the futureCrit Values 2016910-12
Garcia and Fisher ASCPrsquoS 2015 WAGE SURVEY OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES
356 Am J Clin Pathol 2017147334-356 copy American Society for Clinical Pathology356 DOI 101093ajcpaqw220Downloaded from httpsacademicoupcomajcparticle-abstract14743343053484
by East Carolina University useron 25 June 2018