Travel Medical Laboratory Technician Salary Guide

Medical laboratory technicians, also called clinical laboratory techs, are allied health professionals who perform standard lab tests on urine, blood, tissue and other patient samples. Healthcare providers use the test results to screen for and diagnose illnesses and develop treatment plans. Medical lab techs collect and store samples, perform routine tests and update patient records. They calibrate and troubleshoot lab equipment and maintain a sterile environment to ensure reliable test results. Although medical lab technologists have similar roles, they usually perform more complex testing.

How do you become a medical laboratory technician?

A medical lab tech holds a minimum of an associate degree from an accredited medical laboratory technology program. You may wish to earn a bachelor's degree to pave the way to a medical lab technologist or leadership position.

In some states, you must obtain a license before working as a lab technician. According to the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science website on April 13, 2023, these states include:

  • California

  • Florida

  • Hawaii

  • Louisiana

  • Montana

  • New York

  • Nevada

  • North Dakota

  • Tennessee

  • West Virginia.

Licensure requirements vary and may include certification.

What credentials/licensing does a medical laboratory technician require?

Certification is essential, even if you work in a state that doesn't require it for licensure. Many employers prefer job candidates who have demonstrated they possess the competencies needed to work in a clinical lab through professional certification.

American Medical Technologists and the American Society for Clinical Pathology offer the following certification exams:

Average Travel Medical Laboratory Technician Salary

$1,810/week

The average salary for a Travel Medical Laboratory Technician is $1,810 per week. This is 30% lower than the practicing US average of $2,352.

Last updated on May 7, 2024. Based on 456 active jobs on Vivian.com in the last 7 days.

Salaries for Travel Medical Laboratory Technician compared to Allied Health Professional National Averages

$1,810/week

30% lower than the practicing US average.

$2,352/week

United States

Where do Travel Medical Lab Technicians get paid the most?
StateAverage Weekly SalaryMax Weekly Salary
New York$2,280$3,225
Nevada$2,161$2,448
Massachusetts$2,128$3,238
Idaho$2,085$2,270
Wisconsin$2,059$2,604
Georgia$1,978$2,693
Colorado$1,967$2,240
What cities pay the most for Travel Medical Lab Technicians?
CityAverage Weekly SalaryMax Weekly Salary
Watertown, New York$2,669$2,842
Douglasville, Georgia$2,548$2,693
Pahrump, Nevada$2,161$2,448
What are the highest paying Employers and Agencies for Travel Medical Laboratory Technician jobs?
Average Weekly SalaryMax Weekly Salary
Alliance Services, Inc.$3,400$3,400
Sharp Nursing Medical Staffing$3,238$3,238
Soliant Health$3,131$3,225
Rock Medical Group$3,082$3,082
Samba Care$2,788$3,225
Onyx Health Care Staffing$2,680$2,680
ADEX Healthcare Staffing LLC$2,642$2,642
Medninjas$2,560$2,560
Millbrook Support Services$2,544$2,544
Connected Health Care $2,506$2,506

Last updated on May 7, 2024. Information based on active jobs on Vivian.com.

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Travel Medical Laboratory Technician Career Guide

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How can you increase your pay as a travel medical lab technician?

Consider taking a staff position in an area with an immediate need for medical lab technicians. Some jobs posted on Vivian on April 14, 2023, were paying hourly rates as high as $43 in Ohio, $42 in Virginia, $36 in Florida and $31 in Texas. Many employers were also offering sign-on bonuses.

How much does a travel medical laboratory technician make?

Medical lab techs in travel roles earned an average of $2,101 weekly, according to Vivian's salary data on April 13, 2023. Divided by a 40-hour week, this weekly salary equals $52.53 per hour.

Do travel medical lab technicians earn more than staff medical lab technicians?

Medical lab techs earn significantly higher mean salaries in travel roles than in staff positions. According to Vivian's data, the typical travel medical lab technician earned an average weekly salary of $2,101 on April 13, 2023. This equates to $52.53 per hour when divided by a 40-hour week, which is 80.5% higher than the average staff medical lab tech rate of $29.10 per hour.

What states employ the most medical lab technicians?

According to BLS employment data, there were about 318,780 clinical lab technician and technologist jobs in the U.S. in May 2021. The states with the highest employment levels for this occupation were:

  • California: 25,910

  • Texas: 24,300

  • Florida: 23,850

  • New York: 17,030

  • Ohio: 12,910

  • Massachusetts: 12,170

  • North Carolina: 11,730

  • Pennsylvania: 11,710

  • Illinois: 11,610

  • Georgia: 10,160

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