CA · Modesto · Updated October 15, 2026

Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in Modesto, CA

The median medical laboratory scientist pay in the Modesto area is $32.45 per hour ($67,500 a year), with the typical range running from $24.48 to $39.03. That ranks 56th of 355 U.S. metro areas for medical laboratory scientist pay, and 121st of 317 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 3 hospitals in Modesto. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Modesto.

More open Medical Laboratory Scientist roles in Modesto

1 more open role from employers in Modesto. Each employer’s range arrives with your free pay report.

Medical Laboratory Scientist pay in Modesto, CA

The metro median is 6% below the California statewide median of $34.58 per hour. Nationally the median is $29.75 per hour. BLS counts about 350 clinical laboratory technologists and technicians employed in the Modesto metro area, 1.8 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.81).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$22.62$47,05024% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$24.48$50,92018% below U.S. median
Median$32.45$67,5009% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$39.03$81,18031% above U.S. median
Top 10%$47.23$98,24059% above U.S. median

How Modesto ranks

  • 56th of 355 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 121st of 317 after adjusting for local prices
  • 13th of 23 California metro areas

BLS does not publish a separate figure for medical laboratory scientist. These numbers are for the broader category it belongs to, Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians (SOC 29-2010), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

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Named employers near Modesto, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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What your pay buys in Modesto

  • Overall prices in Modesto run 4% above the U.S. average (index 104.1, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 8% above the U.S. average (index 108.5).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $32.45 median hour buys what $31.17 buys at the national price level, 5% above the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

Estimate your Modesto paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,168
  • Per year: $58,410
  • Per month: $4,868

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Modesto metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in Modesto

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$110
Meals and incidentals per day$68
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,246
13-week assignment$16,198

Travel medical laboratory scientist assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.

Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).

Open Medical Laboratory Scientist roles in California

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Modesto as they open.

All Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in California

Hospitals in Modesto

CMS lists 3 hospitals in Modesto, 0 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of medical laboratory scientists.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Memorial Medical Center
Modesto, CA
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Doctors Medical Center
Modesto, CA
Acute careFor-profit1 of 5Yes
Stanislaus Surgical Hospital
Modesto, CA
Acute careNonprofitNot ratedNo

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

Medical Laboratory Scientist pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Turlock, CA12 mi$32.45/hr72,888
Manteca, CA16 mi$36.83/hr94,292
Tracy, CA25 mi$36.83/hr100,136
Stockton, CA29 mi$36.83/hr324,975
Merced, CA37 mi$35.05/hr96,073
Lodi, CA37 mi$36.83/hr68,642

Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in California · Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in California

Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science or a related science. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what California requires for your role with the California licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

California taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

California state guide

Other healthcare roles in Modesto

Modesto city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do medical laboratory scientists make in Modesto, CA?

Medical Laboratory Scientists in the Modesto metro area have a median pay of $32.45 per hour, about $67,500 a year. The middle half earn between $24.48 and $39.03 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Modesto a good place for medical laboratory scientists once cost of living is counted?

Modesto ranks 121st of 317 metro areas for medical laboratory scientist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 56th of 355 before adjusting. Overall prices run 4% above the U.S. average.

Where do medical laboratory scientists work in Modesto?

CMS lists 3 hospitals in Modesto, led by Memorial Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a California license to work in Modesto as a medical laboratory scientist?

Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science or a related science. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what California requires for your role with the California licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Modesto?

The federal per diem benchmark in Modesto is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place medical laboratory scientists in Modesto?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Modesto and across California. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Modesto.

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What do employers near Modesto pay medical laboratory scientists? Get the report.

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    Pay for your role at other employers

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    What they are offering now

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The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval: Health Care Staffing Services Certification, since 2022American Staffing Association memberNATHO member: National Association of Travel Healthcare OrganizationsNALTO member: National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations

Pay report · Lab Scientist near Modesto, CA
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Lab Scientist pay reportModesto, CA · pay published by employers and employer-reported wage offers in federal filings

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • MarinHealthGreenbrae, CA · 3 postings$82.53/ hr$66–$99
  • Ucsf Medical CenterSan Francisco, CA · 6 wage offers$71.28/ hr$60–$79
  • UCSF Medical CenterSan Francisco, CA · 6 wage offers$67.56/ hr$57–$74
  • Sharp HealthCareCoronado, CA · 3 postings$64.63/ hr$56–$73

Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings.

2What they are offering now

Low$41Median$55.50High$73

49 Lab Scientist postings with published pay in California, 42 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 49 Lab Scientist roles

  1. Clinical Lab Scientist II (CLS) - Lab - MicrobiologyPermanent
    $50.43–$69.35/ hour
    Rady Children's Hospital · San Diego, CA · posted today
  2. Clinical Laboratory ScientistPer diem
    $75.34–$75.34/ hour
    CommonSpirit Health · Sacramento, CA · posted yesterday

+ 47 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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