NC · Durham · Updated October 15, 2026

Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in Durham, NC

The median medical laboratory scientist pay in the Durham area is $29.64 per hour ($61,660 a year), with the typical range running from $21.92 to $37.19. That ranks 131st of 355 U.S. metro areas for medical laboratory scientist pay, and 141st of 317 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 4 hospitals in Durham. The free report below lists employers near Durham and what they pay.

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More open Medical Laboratory Scientist roles in Durham

11 more open roles from employers in Durham. Each employer’s range arrives with your free pay report.

Medical Laboratory Scientist pay in Durham, NC

The metro median is 4% above the North Carolina statewide median of $28.56 per hour. Nationally the median is $29.75 per hour. BLS counts about 2,380 clinical laboratory technologists and technicians employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area, 7.0 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 3.12).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$19.07$39,67036% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$21.92$45,59026% below U.S. median
Median$29.64$61,660in line with U.S. median
Upper quartile$37.19$77,36025% above U.S. median
Top 10%$46.74$97,22057% above U.S. median

How Durham ranks

  • 131st of 355 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 141st of 317 after adjusting for local prices
  • 2nd of 13 North Carolina 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 Durham, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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What your pay buys in Durham

  • Overall prices in Durham-Chapel Hill run 2% below the U.S. average (index 97.6, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 1% below the U.S. average (index 98.9).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $29.64 median hour buys what $30.38 buys at the national price level, 2% 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 Durham 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 Durham-Chapel Hill metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in Durham

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$121
Meals and incidentals per day$74
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,365
13-week assignment$17,745

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 North Carolina

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

PermanentPosted yesterday

Medical Technologist

Advocate Health · North Carolina

$28.55–$42.85/ hour
  • Full time
  • Req R246610
New this week
View role
PermanentPosted 17 days ago

Medical Technologist

Advocate Health · North Carolina

$30.70–$46.05/ hour
  • Full time
  • Req R267626
View role

All Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in North Carolina

Hospitals in Durham

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

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Duke Regional Hospital
Durham, NC		Acute careGovernment and federal5 of 5Yes
Duke University Hospital
Durham, NC		Acute careFor-profit5 of 5Yes
Durham Va Medical Center
Durham, NC		Acute Care - Veterans AdministrationGovernment and federal4 of 5Yes
North Carolina Specialty Hospital
Durham, NC		Acute careFor-profitNot 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
Chapel Hill, NC9 mi$29.64/hr64,028
Cary, NC14 mi$28.41/hr182,659
Apex, NC17 mi$28.41/hr75,977
Raleigh, NC18 mi$28.41/hr499,825
Wake Forest, NC22 mi$28.41/hr56,764
Burlington, NC33 mi$23.66/hr61,365

Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in North Carolina · Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in North Carolina

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

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

North Carolina state guide

Other healthcare roles in Durham

Durham city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do medical laboratory scientists make in Durham, NC?

Medical Laboratory Scientists in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area have a median pay of $29.64 per hour, about $61,660 a year. The middle half earn between $21.92 and $37.19 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

Durham-Chapel Hill ranks 141st of 317 metro areas for medical laboratory scientist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 131st of 355 before adjusting. Overall prices run 2% below the U.S. average.

Where do medical laboratory scientists work in Durham?

CMS lists 4 hospitals in Durham, led by Duke Regional Hospital. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a North Carolina license to work in Durham 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 North Carolina requires for your role with the North Carolina 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 Durham?

The federal per diem benchmark in Durham is $121 a night for lodging and $74 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,365 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 Durham?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Durham and across North Carolina. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Durham.

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

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

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

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • Duke University Health SystemDurham, NC · 3 wage offers$32.07/ hr$31–$33
  • Advocate HealthNorth Carolina · 5 postings$35.70/ hr$24–$46
  • Fletcher Hospital, Inc.Hendersonville, NC · 2 wage offers$34.64/ hr$32–$37

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

2What they are offering now

Low$27Median$35.70High$46

6 Lab Scientist postings with published pay in North Carolina, 6 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 6 Lab Scientist roles

  1. Clinical Laboratory ScientistPermanent
    $75k–$97k/ year
    Military Treatment Facilities under DHA · Camp Lejeune, NC · posted today
  2. Medical TechnologistPermanent
    $28.55–$42.85/ hour
    Advocate Health · North Carolina · posted yesterday

+ 4 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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