Online Clinical Laboratory Science Degree in Colorado: Salary, Schools & Outlook (2026)
Quick answer: Colorado employs about 5,000 clinical laboratory technologists and technicians (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing runs through your state health department or clinical laboratory personnel board. Programs, the careers this degree opens, and what they pay are below.
Compare clinical laboratory science programs enrolling now:
Licensing and Credentials in Colorado
Laboratory personnel requirements are set at state level and differ more than in most allied-health fields, with some states operating their own personnel licensure and others relying on federal laboratory regulation alone. The national constants are programmatic accreditation through NAACLS and certification through the ASCP Board of Certification, which employers generally treat as the working credential.
Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with your state health department or clinical laboratory personnel board that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.
Earning the Degree While You Work
Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
We do not have campus-based schools on record for this exact area right now. School availability changes as programs open and close, and many programs in this field enroll online - see the main program page for options that are not tied to your location. Know a school we missed? Tell us.
What Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians Earn in Colorado
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians in Colorado earn a median $70,050 per year, above the national median of $62,930 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Clinical Laboratory Science Pay and Employment in Colorado at a Glance
| Metric | Colorado | National | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $70,050 | $62,930 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 10th percentile | $47,050 | $38,910 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 25th percentile | $52,930 | $47,650 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 75th percentile | $87,780 | $81,450 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 90th percentile | $102,900 | $100,990 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Employment | 5,000 | 332,940 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Location quotient | 0.81 | 1.00 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected change (2024-34) | not published by state | 1.7% | BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 |
How Colorado Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country
The Colorado median of $70,050 sits above the national median of $62,930 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.
A location quotient of 0.81 puts Colorado below the national average, so the occupation is less concentrated here than in the typical state. Expect a thinner local job market and fewer employers to move between (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.
Where the Jobs Are in Colorado
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs | $77,300 | 510 |
| Grand Junction | $76,850 | 130 |
| Boulder | $74,990 | 380 |
| Denver | $70,050 | 2,890 |
| Greeley | $67,450 | 220 |
| Pueblo | $63,530 | 140 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Clinical laboratory employment concentrates around hospital systems and the reference laboratories that serve a region, so the local picture follows the health system rather than population alone.
All Colorado Metro Areas With Published Data
Boulder * Colorado Springs * Denver * Grand Junction * Greeley * Pueblo
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do clinical laboratory technologists and technicians make in Colorado?
The median annual wage for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians in Colorado is $70,050, above the national median of $62,930 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $52,930 at the 25th percentile to $87,780 at the 75th.
How many clinical laboratory technologists and technicians work in Colorado?
Colorado holds about 5,000 clinical laboratory scientist jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 332,940, and BLS projects about 22,600 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Do I need a license to work as a clinical laboratory scientist in Colorado?
Laboratory personnel requirements are set at state level and differ more than in most allied-health fields, with some states operating their own personnel licensure and others relying on federal laboratory regulation alone. The national constants are programmatic accreditation through NAACLS and certification through the ASCP Board of Certification, which employers generally treat as the working credential. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with your state health department or clinical laboratory personnel board before you enroll in any program.
Can I earn a NAACLS-accredited degree in medical laboratory science online while working in Colorado?
Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies your state health department or clinical laboratory personnel board.
What is the highest-paying area of Colorado for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians?
Among Colorado metro areas with published data, Colorado Springs reports the highest median at $77,300 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Is Colorado a good state for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians?
On pay, the state median of $70,050 sits above the national $62,930 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 0.81 means the occupation is less concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.
Related Guides
- Clinical Laboratory Science programs and how to choose one - the national guide to this degree
- Medical Assistant career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
- Trade careers that require a 4-year degree
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians (SOC 29-2010), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.