GA · Athens · Updated October 15, 2026

Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in Athens, GA

Pay for medical laboratory scientists in the Athens area centers on $29.64 per hour, or about $61,650 a year. The lower quarter earns under $21.15 and the upper quarter over $37.88. That ranks 130th of 355 U.S. metro areas for medical laboratory scientist pay, and 104th of 317 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in Athens. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Athens.

Medical Laboratory Scientist pay in Athens, GA

The metro median is 2% below the Georgia statewide median of $30.27 per hour. Nationally the median is $29.75 per hour. BLS counts about 390 clinical laboratory technologists and technicians employed in the Athens-Clarke County metro area, 4.1 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.86).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$17.38$36,15042% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$21.15$43,99029% below U.S. median
Median$29.64$61,650in line with U.S. median
Upper quartile$37.88$78,79027% above U.S. median
Top 10%$47.30$98,38059% above U.S. median

How Athens ranks

  • 130th of 355 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 104th of 317 after adjusting for local prices
  • 6th of 12 Georgia 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 Athens

  • Overall prices in Athens-Clarke County run 7% below the U.S. average (index 93.3, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 23% below the U.S. average (index 76.8).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $29.64 median hour buys what $31.75 buys at the national price level, 7% 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.

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Estimate your Athens paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,067
  • Per year: $53,352
  • Per month: $4,446

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

Travel assignment per diem in Athens

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$136
Meals and incidentals per day$74
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,470
13-week assignment$19,110

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. 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 Georgia

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

All Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in Georgia

Hospitals in Athens

CMS lists 2 hospitals in Athens, 1 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of medical laboratory scientists.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center
Athens, GA
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5No
St Mary's Hospital
Athens, GA
Acute careNonprofit1 of 5Yes

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
Johns Creek, GA48 mi$31.75/hr81,167
Stonecrest, GA48 mi$31.75/hr61,015
Alpharetta, GA52 mi$31.75/hr67,275
Dunwoody, GA54 mi$31.75/hr51,795
Brookhaven, GA56 mi$31.75/hr59,370
Roswell, GA57 mi$31.75/hr92,227

Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in Georgia · Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Georgia

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

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

Georgia state guide

Other healthcare roles in Athens

Athens city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do medical laboratory scientists make in Athens, GA?

Medical Laboratory Scientists in the Athens-Clarke County metro area have a median pay of $29.64 per hour, about $61,650 a year. The middle half earn between $21.15 and $37.88 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

Athens-Clarke County ranks 104th of 317 metro areas for medical laboratory scientist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 130th of 355 before adjusting. Overall prices run 7% below the U.S. average.

Where do medical laboratory scientists work in Athens?

CMS lists 2 hospitals in Athens, led by Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a Georgia license to work in Athens 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 Georgia requires for your role with the Georgia 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 Athens?

The federal per diem benchmark in Athens is $136 a night for lodging and $74 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,470 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 Athens?

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

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

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

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center, Inc.Athens, GA · 4 wage offers$33.41/ hr$29–$37
  • Piedmont Hospital, Inc.Atlanta, GA · 2 wage offers$47.16/ hr$47–$47
  • Emory Healthcare, Inc.Atlanta, GA · 10 wage offers$39.97/ hr$33–$48
  • Advocate HealthGeorgia · 3 postings$38.38/ hr$31–$50

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

2What they are offering now

Low$31Median$38.38High$49

5 Lab Scientist postings with published pay in Georgia, 5 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 5 Lab Scientist roles

  1. Medical Technologist (MT)(MLS)(MLT)Permanent
    $30.70–$46.05/ hour
    Advocate Health · Georgia · posted 3 days ago
  2. Medical Technologist (MT)(MLS)(MLT)Permanent
    $30.70–$46.05/ hour
    Advocate Health · Georgia · posted 7 days ago

+ 3 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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