PermanentPosted 30+ days ago
Medical Lab Scientist - Capital Region Medical Center
University of Missouri Health Care · Jefferson City, MO
$30.66–$50.01/ hour
Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in Columbia, MO
Medical Laboratory Scientists in the Columbia area earn a median of $31.27 per hour, about $65,040 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $24.38 and $41.06. That ranks 70th of 355 U.S. metro areas for medical laboratory scientist pay, and 36th of 317 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 4 hospitals in Columbia. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Columbia.
- $31.27median pay per hour, Columbia
- $24–$41typical range per hour
- 250employed in the metro area
- 89cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Medical Laboratory Scientist pay in Columbia, MO
The metro median is 13% above the Missouri statewide median of $27.62 per hour. Nationally the median is $29.75 per hour. BLS counts about 250 clinical laboratory technologists and technicians employed in the Columbia metro area, 2.3 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is about as concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.05).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $17.94 | $37,320 | 40% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $24.38 | $50,710 | 18% below U.S. median |
| Median | $31.27 | $65,040 | 5% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $41.06 | $85,400 | 38% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $43.65 | $90,790 | 47% above U.S. median |
How Columbia ranks
- 70th of 355 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 36th of 317 after adjusting for local prices
- 1st of 7 Missouri 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 Columbia
- Overall prices in Columbia run 11% below the U.S. average (index 89.4, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 31% below the U.S. average (index 69.2).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $31.27 median hour buys what $34.96 buys at the national price level, 18% 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.
Get the Columbia Medical Laboratory Scientist pay report
Named employers near Columbia, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Columbia paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$1,126
- Per year: $56,286
- Per month: $4,690
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Columbia metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Columbia
| 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).
Open Medical Laboratory Scientist roles in Missouri
Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Columbia as they open.
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Hospitals in Columbia
CMS lists 4 hospitals in Columbia, 2 of the 3 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of medical laboratory scientists.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boone Hospital Center Columbia, MO | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Columbia Mo Va Medical Center Columbia, MO | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | Government and federal | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| University Of Missouri Health Care Columbia, MO | Acute care | Government and federal | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Centerpointe Hospital Of Columbia Columbia, MO | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| O'Fallon, MO | 87 mi | $26.32/hr | 95,355 |
| St. Peters, MO | 93 mi | $26.32/hr | 61,398 |
| St. Charles, MO | 98 mi | $26.32/hr | 72,458 |
| Blue Springs, MO | 104 mi | $26.97/hr | 61,246 |
| Florissant, MO | 108 mi | $26.32/hr | 51,290 |
| Independence, MO | 109 mi | $26.97/hr | 121,629 |
Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in Missouri · Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Missouri
Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science or a related science. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Missouri requires for your role with the Missouri licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
Missouri taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Columbia
Columbia city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do medical laboratory scientists make in Columbia, MO?
Medical Laboratory Scientists in the Columbia metro area have a median pay of $31.27 per hour, about $65,040 a year. The middle half earn between $24.38 and $41.06 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Columbia a good place for medical laboratory scientists once cost of living is counted?
Columbia ranks 36th of 317 metro areas for medical laboratory scientist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 70th of 355 before adjusting. Overall prices run 11% below the U.S. average.
Where do medical laboratory scientists work in Columbia?
CMS lists 4 hospitals in Columbia, led by Boone Hospital Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Missouri license to work in Columbia 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 Missouri requires for your role with the Missouri 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 Columbia?
The federal per diem benchmark in Columbia 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 Columbia?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Columbia and across Missouri. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Columbia.
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What do employers near Columbia 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
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
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50+ Medical Laboratory Scientist roles in Missouri, sent free by email
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Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]
Your Lab Scientist pay reportColumbia, MO · employer-reported wage offers in federal filings, July 2025 – June 2026
1Pay for your role at other employers
- The Children's Mercy HospitalKansas City, MO · 3 wage offers$36.21/ hr$30–$42
- Mosaic Health SystemAlbany, MO · 3 wage offers$33.71/ hr$29–$39
- Lake Regional Health SystemOsage Beach, MO · 6 wage offers$33.41/ hr$31–$35
- Guardian Healthcare Providers, Inc.St. Joseph, MO · 3 wage offers$32.55/ hr$31–$34
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer reported in federal filings.
2What they are offering now
Low$27Median$30.00High$34
64 employer-reported wage offers for Lab Scientist in federal filings in Missouri, July 2025 – June 2026. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 1 Lab Scientist roles
- Medical Lab Scientist - Capital Region Medical CenterPermanent$30.66–$50.01/ hour
Each one has pay, shift and start date.
I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.