PermanentPosted 8 days ago
Medical Laboratory Scientist I
Quest Diagnostics · Pittsburgh, PA
Pay range with your report
Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
The median medical laboratory scientist pay in the Pittsburgh area is $27.19 per hour ($56,550 a year), with the typical range running from $20.63 to $32.48. That ranks 206th of 355 U.S. metro areas for medical laboratory scientist pay, and 190th of 317 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 11 hospitals in Pittsburgh. The free report below lists employers near Pittsburgh and what they pay.
- $27.19median pay per hour, Pittsburgh
- $21–$32typical range per hour
- 2,340employed in the metro area
- 95cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
More open Medical Laboratory Scientist roles in Pittsburgh
1 more open role from employers in Pittsburgh. Each employer’s range arrives with your free pay report.
Medical Laboratory Scientist pay in Pittsburgh, PA
The metro median is 8% below the Pennsylvania statewide median of $29.58 per hour. Nationally the median is $29.75 per hour. BLS counts about 2,340 clinical laboratory technologists and technicians employed in the Pittsburgh metro area, 2.1 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is about as concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.95).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $18.65 | $38,790 | 37% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $20.63 | $42,910 | 31% below U.S. median |
| Median | $27.19 | $56,550 | 9% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $32.48 | $67,560 | 9% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $39.25 | $81,640 | 32% above U.S. median |
How Pittsburgh ranks
- 206th of 355 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 190th of 317 after adjusting for local prices
- 11th of 13 Pennsylvania 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.
Get the Pittsburgh Medical Laboratory Scientist pay report
Named employers near Pittsburgh, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportWhat your pay buys in Pittsburgh
- Overall prices in Pittsburgh run 5% below the U.S. average (index 94.7, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 28% below the U.S. average (index 72.0).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $27.19 median hour buys what $28.72 buys at the national price level, 3% 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.
Estimate your Pittsburgh paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$979
- Per year: $48,942
- Per month: $4,078
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Pittsburgh metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Pittsburgh
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $138 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $80 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,526 |
| 13-week assignment | $19,838 |
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 Pittsburgh
CMS lists 11 hospitals in Pittsburgh, 6 of the 9 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of medical laboratory scientists.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magee Womens Hospital Of Upmc Health System Pittsburgh, PA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| St Clair Hospital Pittsburgh, PA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Upmc Mercy Pittsburgh, PA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Upmc Passavant Pittsburgh, PA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Upmc Presbyterian Shadyside Pittsburgh, PA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Va Pittsburgh Healthcare System - Univ Dr Pittsburgh, PA | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | Government and federal | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Allegheny General Hospital Pittsburgh, PA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Upmc St Margaret Pittsburgh, PA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| West Penn Hospital Pittsburgh, PA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Children's Home Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA | Children's | Nonprofit | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youngstown, OH | 57 mi | $23.74/hr | 59,123 |
| Canton, OH | 77 mi | $27.65/hr | 69,211 |
| Akron, OH | 92 mi | $31.10/hr | 189,664 |
| Cuyahoga Falls, OH | 97 mi | $31.10/hr | 50,979 |
| Parma, OH | 112 mi | $30.78/hr | 79,350 |
| Cleveland, OH | 114 mi | $30.78/hr | 365,379 |
Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in Pennsylvania · Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Pennsylvania
Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science or a related science. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Pennsylvania requires for your role with the Pennsylvania licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
Pennsylvania taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do medical laboratory scientists make in Pittsburgh, PA?
Medical Laboratory Scientists in the Pittsburgh metro area have a median pay of $27.19 per hour, about $56,550 a year. The middle half earn between $20.63 and $32.48 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Pittsburgh a good place for medical laboratory scientists once cost of living is counted?
Pittsburgh ranks 190th of 317 metro areas for medical laboratory scientist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 206th of 355 before adjusting. Overall prices run 5% below the U.S. average.
Where do medical laboratory scientists work in Pittsburgh?
CMS lists 11 hospitals in Pittsburgh, led by Magee Womens Hospital Of Upmc Health System. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Pennsylvania license to work in Pittsburgh 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 Pennsylvania requires for your role with the Pennsylvania 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 Pittsburgh?
The federal per diem benchmark in Pittsburgh is $138 a night for lodging and $80 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,526 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 Pittsburgh?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Pittsburgh and across Pennsylvania. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Pittsburgh.
Free for every candidate
What do employers near Pittsburgh 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.
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110+ Medical Laboratory Scientist roles in Pennsylvania, sent free by email
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Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]
Your Lab Scientist pay reportPittsburgh, PA · employer-reported wage offers in federal filings, July 2025 – June 2026
1Pay for your role at other employers
- West Penn Allegheny Health SystemPittsburgh, PA · 4 wage offers$34.09/ hr$31–$36
- UPMC Presbyterian ShadysidePittsburgh, PA · 2 wage offers$32.87/ hr$30–$36
- Thomas Jefferson University HospitalPhiladelphia, PA · 2 wage offers$41.30/ hr$35–$45
- Penn State Health Community Medical Group, LLCCamp Hill, PA · 4 wage offers$37.73/ hr$34–$43
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer reported in federal filings.
2What they are offering now
Low$29Median$31.32High$35
53 employer-reported wage offers for Lab Scientist in federal filings in Pennsylvania, July 2025 – June 2026. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open Lab Scientist roles
Open Lab Scientist roles near Pittsburgh, PA, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.
I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.