Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians Salary
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians in Montana make a median of $65,190 a year, or about $31.34 an hour. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $97K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97), that's roughly $67,206 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,129/month, or 26.4% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Montana. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $65K get you in Montana?
About clinical laboratory technologists and technicians
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What this looks like in Montana
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians pay in Montana tracks closely to the national median, $65K locally vs. $63K nationwide, a 4% difference. Rent runs $1,129/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26.3% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 97) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Montana
Entry-level clinical laboratory technologists and technicians (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $65K. Top earners bring in $97K or more, a $58K spread from bottom to top.
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians salary by metro in Montana
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helena | $75K | +15% | 80 |
| Billings | $68K | +5% | 190 |
| Missoula | $64K | -3% | 130 |
| Bozeman | $61K | -6% | 160 |
| Great Falls | $59K | -9% | 90 |
Compare to other states
Track clinical laboratory technologists and technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Montana numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a clinical laboratory technologists and technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in Montana?
Yes — at the median salary of $65K, rent takes 26.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,129/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians in Montana?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new clinical laboratory technologists and technicians typically earn — is $39K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,335/month. At HUD’s $1,129/month FMR, rent would take 48% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is clinical laboratory technologists and technician a high-paying job in Montana?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $65K locally vs. $63K nationally, a 4% difference.
How does Montana compare to the national average for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians?
Montana pays $65K median vs. the U.S. average of $63K — that’s +4%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $67K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do clinical laboratory technologists and technicians make in Montana?
The median is $65,190 a year, that works out to about $31 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,910, and experienced clinical laboratory technologists and technicians can clear $97,070. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $65K enough to live in Montana?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,292/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,129/month, which eats 26.3% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a clinical laboratory technologists and technicians salary go in Montana?
Montana has a Regional Price Parity of 97 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median clinical laboratory technologists and technicians salary is worth about $67,206 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do clinical laboratory technologists and technicians get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.