Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in Reading, PA
Pay for medical laboratory scientists in the Reading area centers on $23.69 per hour, or about $49,270 a year. The lower quarter earns under $20.81 and the upper quarter over $35.07. That ranks 284th of 355 U.S. metro areas for medical laboratory scientist pay, and 286th of 317 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 3 hospitals in Reading. The free report below lists employers near Reading and what they pay.
- $23.69median pay per hour, Reading
- $21–$35typical range per hour
- 200employed in the metro area
- 97cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Medical Laboratory Scientist pay in Reading, PA
The metro median is 20% below the Pennsylvania statewide median of $29.58 per hour. Nationally the median is $29.75 per hour. BLS counts about 200 clinical laboratory technologists and technicians employed in the Reading metro area, 1.2 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.52).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $18.19 | $37,840 | 39% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $20.81 | $43,280 | 30% below U.S. median |
| Median | $23.69 | $49,270 | 20% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $35.07 | $72,950 | 18% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $38.59 | $80,270 | 30% above U.S. median |
How Reading ranks
- 284th of 355 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 286th of 317 after adjusting for local prices
- 13th 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.
What your pay buys in Reading
- Overall prices in Reading run 3% below the U.S. average (index 97.1, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 15% below the U.S. average (index 85.4).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $23.69 median hour buys what $24.41 buys at the national price level, 18% 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 Reading Medical Laboratory Scientist pay report
Named employers near Reading, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Reading paycheck
- Per year: $42,642
- Per month: $3,554
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Reading metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Reading
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $117 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $74 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,337 |
| 13-week assignment | $17,381 |
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 Reading
CMS lists 3 hospitals in Reading, 0 of the 1 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of medical laboratory scientists.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penn State Health St. Joseph Reading, PA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Haven Behavioral Hospital Of Eastern Pennsylvania Reading, PA | Psychiatric | For-profit | Not rated | No |
| Tower Behavioral Health Reading, PA | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster, PA | 29 mi | $30.32/hr | 58,441 |
| Allentown, PA | 29 mi | $29.75/hr | 127,138 |
| Bethlehem, PA | 35 mi | $29.75/hr | 79,453 |
| Wilmington, DE | 47 mi | $31.70/hr | 73,176 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 48 mi | $31.70/hr | 1,573,916 |
| Harrisburg, PA | 51 mi | $30.55/hr | 50,649 |
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 Reading
Reading city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do medical laboratory scientists make in Reading, PA?
Medical Laboratory Scientists in the Reading metro area have a median pay of $23.69 per hour, about $49,270 a year. The middle half earn between $20.81 and $35.07 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Reading a good place for medical laboratory scientists once cost of living is counted?
Reading ranks 286th of 317 metro areas for medical laboratory scientist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 284th of 355 before adjusting. Overall prices run 3% below the U.S. average.
Where do medical laboratory scientists work in Reading?
CMS lists 3 hospitals in Reading, led by Penn State Health St. Joseph. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Pennsylvania license to work in Reading 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 Reading?
The federal per diem benchmark in Reading is $117 a night for lodging and $74 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,337 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 Reading?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Reading and across Pennsylvania. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Reading.
What do employers near Reading 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.
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Your Lab Scientist pay reportReading, PA · employer-reported wage offers in federal filings, July 2025 – June 2026
1Pay for your role at other employers
- 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
- The Children's Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA · 2 wage offers$35.68/ hr$28–$49
- West Penn Allegheny Health SystemPittsburgh, PA · 4 wage offers$34.09/ hr$31–$36
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer reported in federal filings.
2What they are offering now
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 Reading, PA, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.