Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in Ocala, FL
Pay for medical laboratory scientists in the Ocala area centers on $22.97 per hour, or about $47,780 a year. The lower quarter earns under $17.50 and the upper quarter over $33.58. That ranks 298th of 355 U.S. metro areas for medical laboratory scientist pay, and 293rd of 317 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 3 hospitals in Ocala. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Ocala.
- $22.97median pay per hour, Ocala
- $18–$34typical range per hour
- 300employed in the metro area
- 95cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Medical Laboratory Scientist pay in Ocala, FL
The metro median is 18% below the Florida statewide median of $27.85 per hour. Nationally the median is $29.75 per hour. BLS counts about 300 clinical laboratory technologists and technicians employed in the Ocala metro area, 2.5 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.13).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $15.61 | $32,470 | 48% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $17.50 | $36,400 | 41% below U.S. median |
| Median | $22.97 | $47,780 | 23% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $33.58 | $69,850 | 13% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $37.81 | $78,640 | 27% above U.S. median |
How Ocala ranks
- 298th of 355 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 293rd of 317 after adjusting for local prices
- 18th of 20 Florida 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.
What your pay buys in Ocala
- Overall prices in Ocala run 5% below the U.S. average (index 95.2, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 14% below the U.S. average (index 86.2).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $22.97 median hour buys what $24.12 buys at the national price level, 19% below 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.
Get the Ocala Medical Laboratory Scientist pay report
Named employers near Ocala, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Ocala paycheck
- Per year: $41,346
- Per month: $3,446
- Florida has no state income tax on wages.
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Ocala metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Ocala
| Item | Federal 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).
Hospitals in Ocala
CMS lists 3 hospitals in Ocala, 1 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of medical laboratory scientists.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adventhealth Ocala Ocala, FL | Acute care | Government and federal | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Marion Communtiy Hospital Ocala, FL | Acute care | For-profit | 1 of 5 | Yes |
| The Vines Hospital Ocala, FL | Psychiatric | For-profit | Not rated | No |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Medical Laboratory Scientist pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gainesville, FL | 37 mi | $28.23/hr | 148,720 |
| Apopka, FL | 50 mi | $26.80/hr | 62,777 |
| Clermont, FL | 52 mi | $26.80/hr | 50,851 |
| Ocoee, FL | 56 mi | $26.80/hr | 51,269 |
| Sanford, FL | 59 mi | $26.80/hr | 66,919 |
| Deltona, FL | 60 mi | $22.97/hr | 100,513 |
Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in Florida · Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Florida
Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science or a related science. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Florida requires for your role with the Florida licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
Florida does not tax wage income at the state level, so take-home pay is higher than the same gross pay in a state that does.
Other healthcare roles in Ocala
Ocala city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do medical laboratory scientists make in Ocala, FL?
Medical Laboratory Scientists in the Ocala metro area have a median pay of $22.97 per hour, about $47,780 a year. The middle half earn between $17.50 and $33.58 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Ocala a good place for medical laboratory scientists once cost of living is counted?
Ocala ranks 293rd of 317 metro areas for medical laboratory scientist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 298th of 355 before adjusting. Overall prices run 5% below the U.S. average.
Where do medical laboratory scientists work in Ocala?
CMS lists 3 hospitals in Ocala, led by Adventhealth Ocala. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Florida license to work in Ocala 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 Florida requires for your role with the Florida 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 Ocala?
The federal per diem benchmark in Ocala 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 Ocala?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Ocala and across Florida. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Ocala.
What do employers near Ocala pay medical laboratory scientists? Get the report.
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- 1Pay for your role at other employers
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
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Your Lab Scientist pay reportOcala, FL · employer-reported wage offers in federal filings, July 2025 – June 2026
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Florida Hospital Ocala, Inc.Ocala, FL · 10 wage offers$33.84/ hr$29–$40
- Baycare Health System, Inc.Tampa, FL · 3 wage offers$42.14/ hr$29–$45
- AdventHealth System/Sunbelt Inc.Orlando, FL · 2 wage offers$38.90/ hr$32–$46
- Florida Health Sciences Center, Inc.Tampa, FL · 3 wage offers$37.50/ hr$33–$39
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer reported in federal filings.
2What they are offering now
164 employer-reported wage offers for Lab Scientist in federal filings in Florida, July 2025 – June 2026. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open Lab Scientist roles
Open Lab Scientist roles near Ocala, FL, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.