Hiring guide · Science, Engineering & Lab
How to Hire a Medical Laboratory Technician
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring medical laboratory technicians, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $62,930), recruit through community college and university engineering technology and science programs, verify ASCP Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for medical laboratory technicians
There are about 343,000 medical laboratory technicians employed in the U.S., with roughly 20,800 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +2.7% from 2025–35 (about as fast as average). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $38,910–$47,650 | $18.71–$22.91 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $62,930 | $30.26 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $81,450 | $39.16 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $100,990 | $48.55 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Bachelor's degree (typical entry level)
- Licensing or certification required in your state
- Clinical chemistry
- Attention to detail
Nice-to-haves
- ASCP Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)
- ASCP Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS)
- AMT Medical Technologist
- Experience with automated analyzers
Where to find medical laboratory technicians
- Community college and university engineering technology and science programs
- Co-op and internship programs
- Professional societies such as ASCE, ASME and IEEE
- Military technical veterans
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: MLT, Clinical Laboratory Technician, Medical Laboratory Scientist, Lab Tech
Screening checklist
- Degree, transcript or credential verification (PE, FE, ASCP) where required
- A practical exercise, lab test or CAD drawing review
- Background checks for regulated or secure facilities
- Reference checks focused on accuracy and documentation
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “What lab areas have you worked in?”
What a strong answer includes: Be specific.
2. “What do you do when QC fails?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain troubleshooting.
3. “How do you handle critical values?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain process.
4. “Can you work nights?”
What a strong answer includes: Be honest.
5. “Are you certified?”
What a strong answer includes: Share status.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Run Daily Quality Control (see the steps)
- Call a Critical Value (see the steps)
- Evaluate a Specimen for Acceptance (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as CBC, Chemistry panel, Hematology
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Medical Laboratory Technician 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Medical Laboratory Technician training. Show them the path forward: Lab Assistant → Medical Lab Technician → Medical Laboratory Scientist → Lab Supervisor or Manager.
Hiring medical laboratory technicians: FAQ
How much should I pay a medical laboratory technician?
The U.S. median wage for medical laboratory technicians is $62,930 per year ($30.26/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($47,650), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($81,450). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a medical laboratory technician have?
BLS lists “bachelor's degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for ASCP Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) and ASCP Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) where relevant, plus skills such as clinical chemistry, hematology, and microbiology.
How long does it take to train a new medical laboratory technician?
Becoming qualified typically takes 2 years (technician) or 4 years (technologist). After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “none.”