Last Updated on December 23, 2022
The median salary for an MLS with a masters degree is higher than the median salary for an MLS with a bachelor’s degree, even though many of the employers mentioned above require education beyond the level required for this job. The amount that many MLSs with advanced degrees make depends on several factors, such as experience and field of choice.
Yes, a Masters in Medical Laboratory Science can be a wise investment if you want to earn a high salary. To begin with, this is among the professions that enjoy a high amount of job satisfaction. This higher job satisfaction means that you will enjoy what you’re doing every day and you won’t need to worry about looking for another job any time soon.
A Masters in Medical Laboratory Science will lead to a high paying job, however the degree requires an immense amount of time and money. The average student debt for a Masters Degree in this field is well above $50,000. Even with such outstanding demand for medical laboratory scientists, it may not be the best decision to get a Masters in this subject.
Collegelearners is replete with top-notch information on masters in medical technology salary, jobs for masters in clinical laboratory science, salary of medical laboratory scientist in UK, and so much more. Take out time to surf through our catalog for more information on related topics.
is a masters in medical laboratory science worth it
A master’s degree helps medical laboratory scientists become leaders in a field that is highly valued and continues to grow as the instruments and technologies used to detect disease and monitor treatment become more sophisticated. Due to constantly evolving diagnostic technology, more and more medical laboratory scientists are spending less time in the lab and more time interacting with clinicians to help them figure out which tests to order and what the results mean for their patients.
With a medical laboratory science degree, you’ll have the opportunity to establish a career in this dynamic health care field. You’ll receive education and training beyond a bachelor’s degree that will include coursework to help position you as a future clinical laboratory leader. You will also be well-positioned to move into management roles faster.
In addition, obtaining a medical laboratory science degree can provide an excellent knowledge base that can be a stepping stone to degrees in other health care fields — from nursing and research to physicians and physician assistants.
Why choose a career in medical laboratory science?
- Strong job demand: The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 13 percent job growth for medical laboratory professionals from 2016 to 2026, which is considerably faster than other careers. There is a critical shortage in the field due to the rising importance of technology in making health care decisions. Graduates often receive multiple job offers and are usually able to be picky about where in the country they want to work, their work setting and which shifts they take.
- Rising salaries: The average salary for a medical laboratory scientist is $60,605, according to PayScale, but pay tends to be higher for medical laboratory scientists with a master’s degree. Salaries depend on different factors, such as where in the country you work and which shifts you take. In California, where the cost of living is higher, you may start off earning $100,000. The highest 10 percent of earners make more than $80,000.
- A variety of career options: Medical laboratory scientists don’t just work in hospitals or diagnostic laboratories. You may find yourself teaching, working in a research facility, or in a veterinary clinic or zoo. There is a demand for medical laboratory scientists in fertility clinics and pharmaceutical companies. Or you may find your niche in law enforcement working in a forensic crime lab.
medical laboratory scientist salary
Medical Laboratory Scientists, also known as clinical laboratory scientists or medical technologists, are the individuals who perform complex testing in laboratories requiring advanced technical skills and problem solving abilities. MLS practitioners work in a variety of laboratory settings including hospitals, clinics and doctor’s offices as well as research, forensic, and reference laboratories.
As of Oct 30, 2021, the average annual pay for a Medical Lab Scientist in the United States is $72,604 a year.
Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $34.91 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,396/week or $6,050/month.
While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $138,500 and as low as $23,000, the majority of Medical Lab Scientist salaries currently range between $49,000 (25th percentile) to $95,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $111,500 annually across the United States. The average pay range for a Medical Lab Scientist varies greatly (by as much as $46,000), which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location and years of experience.
how much does a medical laboratory scientist make an hour
What are Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Medical Lab Scientist Jobs
We’ve identified 10 cities where the typical salary for a Medical Lab Scientist job is above the national average. Topping the list is New York City, NY, with San Mateo, CA and Boston, MA close behind in the second and third positions. Boston, MA beats the national average by $8,324 (11.5%), and New York City, NY furthers that trend with another $12,133 (16.7%) above the $72,604 average.
Significantly, New York City, NY has a very active Medical Lab Scientist job market as there are several companies currently hiring for this type of role.
With these 10 cities having average salaries higher than the national average, the opportunities for economic advancement by changing locations as a Medical Lab Scientist appears to be exceedingly fruitful.
Finally, another factor to consider is the average salary for these top ten cities varies very little at 7% between New York City, NY and Richmond, CA, reinforcing the limited potential for much wage advancement. The possibility of a lower cost of living may be the best factor to use when considering location and salary for a Medical Lab Scientist role.
| City | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York City, NY | $84,737 | $7,061 | $1,630 | $40.74 |
| San Mateo, CA | $83,619 | $6,968 | $1,608 | $40.20 |
| Boston, MA | $80,928 | $6,744 | $1,556 | $38.91 |
| Juneau, AK | $80,919 | $6,743 | $1,556 | $38.90 |
| Berkeley, CA | $80,363 | $6,697 | $1,545 | $38.64 |
| Daly City, CA | $80,136 | $6,678 | $1,541 | $38.53 |
| Santa Monica, CA | $79,989 | $6,666 | $1,538 | $38.46 |
| Quincy, MA | $79,656 | $6,638 | $1,532 | $38.30 |
| Renton, WA | $79,615 | $6,635 | $1,531 | $38.28 |
| Richmond, CA | $78,911 | $6,576 | $1,518 | $37.94 |
how much does a medical laboratory scientist make
entry level medical laboratory scientist salary
As of Oct 30, 2021, the average annual pay for an Entry Level Medical Laboratory Scientist in the United States is $52,491 a year.
Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $25.24 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,009/week or $4,374/month.
While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $112,500 and as low as $19,000, the majority of Entry Level Medical Laboratory Scientist salaries currently range between $30,000 (25th percentile) to $65,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $94,500 annually across the United States. The average pay range for an Entry Level Medical Laboratory Scientist varies greatly (by as much as $35,000), which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location and years of experience.
what jobs can you get with a medical laboratory science degree
A Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science Leadership degree provides several career options for graduates, including management, education, and specialized laboratory practice roles.
There is a significant difference in the salary when completing a Master’s Degree. In 2016, a nationally ASCP-certified MLS Bachelor’s-prepared educator earned approximately $61,823 and a Master’s-prepared professional earned $70,570. In addition, a clinical supervisor with advanced specialty training or education in the other disciplines averaged an annual salary of approximately $80,183.10.
A Master’s of Medical Laboratory Science Leadership degree opens the doors to a variety of leadership roles. These roles include, but are not limited to:
- Administrator/Management
- Advanced Practice Specialist
- Educator
- Lead Technical Specialist
- Technical Supervisor
This degree is great for those with experience in:
- Biomedical Research
- Certified Laboratory Assistance
- Chemistry
- Certified Laboratory Assistance
- Chemistry
- Cytogentics
- Hematology
- Histology
- Industry
- Laboratory/Life Science Education
- Medical Laboratory Technology
- Medical Laboratory Science
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Pathology
- Phlebotomy
- Veterinary Laboratory
