Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in Missoula, MT
The median medical laboratory scientist pay in the Missoula area is $28.15 per hour ($58,550 a year), with the typical range running from $21.50 to $37.48. That ranks 182nd of 355 U.S. metro areas for medical laboratory scientist pay, and 171st of 317 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in Missoula. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Missoula.
- $28.15median pay per hour, Missoula
- $22–$37typical range per hour
- 160employed in the metro area
- 96cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Medical Laboratory Scientist pay in Missoula, MT
The metro median is 10% below the Montana statewide median of $31.39 per hour. Nationally the median is $29.75 per hour. BLS counts about 160 clinical laboratory technologists and technicians employed in the Missoula metro area, 2.4 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.07).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $17.81 | $37,040 | 40% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $21.50 | $44,720 | 28% below U.S. median |
| Median | $28.15 | $58,550 | 5% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $37.48 | $77,960 | 26% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $38.70 | $80,500 | 30% above U.S. median |
How Missoula ranks
- 182nd of 355 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 171st of 317 after adjusting for local prices
- 5th of 5 Montana 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 Missoula
- Overall prices in Missoula run 4% below the U.S. average (index 96.4, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 5% below the U.S. average (index 94.9).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $28.15 median hour buys what $29.19 buys at the national price level, 2% 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 Missoula Medical Laboratory Scientist pay report
Named employers near Missoula, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Missoula paycheck
- Per year: $50,670
- Per month: $4,222
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Missoula metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Missoula
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $152 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $74 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,582 |
| 13-week assignment | $20,566 |
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).
Hospitals in Missoula
CMS lists 2 hospitals in Missoula, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Patrick Hospital Missoula, MT | Acute care | Nonprofit | 5 of 5 | Yes |
| Community Medical Center Missoula, MT | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls, MT | 135 mi | $29.63/hr | 60,013 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 142 mi | $25.03/hr | 57,355 |
| Spokane Valley, WA | 160 mi | $29.15/hr | 108,267 |
| Bozeman, MT | 164 mi | $29.86/hr | 57,894 |
| Spokane, WA | 169 mi | $29.15/hr | 230,609 |
| Pasco, WA | 246 mi | $28.15/hr | 81,724 |
Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in Montana · Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Montana
Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science or a related science. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Montana requires for your role with the Montana licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
Montana taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Missoula
Missoula city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do medical laboratory scientists make in Missoula, MT?
Medical Laboratory Scientists in the Missoula metro area have a median pay of $28.15 per hour, about $58,550 a year. The middle half earn between $21.50 and $37.48 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Missoula a good place for medical laboratory scientists once cost of living is counted?
Missoula ranks 171st of 317 metro areas for medical laboratory scientist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 182nd of 355 before adjusting. Overall prices run 4% below the U.S. average.
Where do medical laboratory scientists work in Missoula?
CMS lists 2 hospitals in Missoula, led by St. Patrick Hospital. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Montana license to work in Missoula 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 Montana requires for your role with the Montana 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 Missoula?
The federal per diem benchmark in Missoula is $152 a night for lodging and $74 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,582 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 Missoula?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Missoula and across Montana. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Missoula.
What do employers near Missoula pay medical laboratory scientists? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 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.
Get your free pay report
20+ Medical Laboratory Scientist roles in Montana, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your Lab Scientist pay reportMissoula, MT · employer-reported wage offers in federal filings, July 2025 – June 2026
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Sheridan Memorial Hospital AssociationPlentywood, MT · 3 wage offers$37.78/ hr$37–$40
- Central Montana Medical Facilities, Inc.Lewistown, MT · 3 wage offers$35.70/ hr$35–$39
- Sidney Health CenterSidney, MT · 3 wage offers$34.68/ hr$33–$40
- Northeast Montana Health Services, Inc.Poplar, MT · 3 wage offers$34.63/ hr$34–$40
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer reported in federal filings.
2What they are offering now
38 employer-reported wage offers for Lab Scientist in federal filings in Montana, July 2025 – June 2026. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open Lab Scientist roles
Open Lab Scientist roles near Missoula, MT, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.