🔬 How much does a lab technician make?
In the U.S., the median is $62,930 a year; the top 10% earn over $100,990. In Japan, the average is ¥4,819,900; ages 55–59 average ¥6,191,300.
Pay varies with age, experience, and employer; Japan’s ¥6.19 million figure is the average for its highest-paid age band, not a personal maximum.
US Most people, typical, the top
| Who | Yearly earnings | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| 10th-percentile mark (bottom 10% earn less) | $38,910 | BLS May 2025 wage statistics |
| Median worker | $62,930 | BLS May 2025 median |
| 90th-percentile mark (top 10% earn more) | $100,990 | BLS May 2025 90th-percentile mark |
Lab technician salary in Japan: about $32K a year
Per month and per day
| Who | Per month | Per day (÷365) |
|---|---|---|
| 10th-percentile mark (bottom 10% earn less) | $3,243 | $107 |
| Median worker | $5,244 | $172 |
| 90th-percentile mark (top 10% earn more) | $8,416 | $277 |
About $30 an hour
How do you become a lab technician?
In the United States, earn an associate degree and complete an MLT program accredited by NAACLS or ABHES. Pass the ASCP certification exam if using that route, and check whether the state where you plan to work requires a license.
- Enroll in a college medical laboratory technician program.
- Earn an associate degree and finish an accredited MLT program.
- Meet ASCP eligibility and pass its certification exam.
- Check state licensing rules, then apply for lab jobs.
Qualifications and exams
ASCP MLT certification requires meeting an eligible education and training route and passing its exam; some U.S. states also require a separate license.
A day as a lab technician
At the lab, a technician checks samples such as blood or urine and runs tests using lab equipment. They record and check results, then share needed information with doctors.
Common questions
Do hospitals and testing labs pay differently?
Yes. In May 2025, the combined U.S. occupation group had typical pay of $69,190 a year in private general hospitals and $58,320 in medical and diagnostic labs. Source
What is the typical hourly pay?
For May 2025, typical hourly pay for the combined U.S. group of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians was $30.26. Source
Does night work bring extra pay?
For U.S. federal General Schedule jobs, regularly scheduled work from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. gets a 10% night-pay addition. Other employers may use different rules. Source
Can lab techs work nights or weekends?
Many work full time. At places that stay open, such as hospitals, shifts may include nights, weekends, or holidays. Source
This section summarizes public sources. We only show numbers that have a source.
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In Japan
Japan Most people, typical, the top
| Who | Yearly earnings | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Ages 20–24 average | $22,256 | MHLW 2025 wage survey, age-band average |
| All ages, average | $32,133 | MHLW 2025 wage survey, monthly pay × 12 plus bonuses |
| Highest-average age band (55–59) | $41,275 | MHLW 2025 wage survey, age-band average |
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Related questions
Jobs in the same group
Data table and sources
- www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicians.htm
- www.bls.gov/news.release/ocwage.t01.htm
- shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/Occupation/Detail/161
- www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/print/clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicia
- www.ascp.org/boc/explore-credentials/view-all-credentials/MLT
- ascls.org/licensure
- www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-administration/fact-sheets/night