Clinical Laboratory Science Degree Programs in Portland, OR (2026)
Quick answer: The Portland metro employs about 1,540 clinical laboratory technologists and technicians (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing is set at the state level, through your state health department or clinical laboratory personnel board.
Compare clinical laboratory science programs enrolling now:
Licensing
Licensing is a state matter, not a city one. 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.
See the Oregon licensing and pay overview for the statewide picture, and confirm current requirements with your state health department or clinical laboratory personnel board.
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 within 250 miles of this 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 Portland
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians in the Portland area earn a median $83,010 per year, above the national median of $62,930 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Clinical Laboratory Science Pay in Portland, OR
| Metric | Portland metro | Oregon | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $83,010 | $83,010 | $62,930 |
| 10th percentile | $49,660 | $49,260 | $38,910 |
| 25th percentile | $62,580 | $62,360 | $47,650 |
| 75th percentile | $102,150 | $102,950 | $81,450 |
| 90th percentile | $116,990 | $117,640 | $100,990 |
| Employment | 1,540 | 2,660 | 332,940 |
| Location quotient | 0.59 | - | 1.00 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Metro figures cover the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metropolitan statistical area.
What the Numbers Say About This Market
The Portland median of $83,010 is above the national median of $62,930, and level with the Oregon statewide median of $83,010 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The metro’s location quotient of 0.59 means clinical laboratory technologists and technicians are less concentrated here than in the average U.S. labor market (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Higher concentration generally means more employers competing for the same people, and an easier job change later.
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.
Other Oregon Metro Areas
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Salem | $78,640 | 270 |
| Eugene | $84,000 | 230 |
| Medford | $81,370 | 160 |
| Bend | $90,270 | 110 |
| Corvallis | $81,230 | 100 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
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 Portland?
The median annual wage for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area is $83,010, above the national median of $62,930 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
How many clinical laboratory technologists and technicians work in the Portland area?
The Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area employs about 1,540 clinical laboratory technologists and technicians (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Do clinical laboratory technologists and technicians in Portland need a license?
Licensing is handled at state level rather than by city. 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. Confirm current requirements with your state health department or clinical laboratory personnel board.
Can I study clinical laboratory science online from Portland?
The academic portion of these programs is widely available online for working adults, while labs, clinical hours or supervised field work are completed in person. Check that the program's accreditation satisfies your state health department or clinical laboratory personnel board.
Is Portland a better market than the rest of Oregon?
The Portland metro median is $83,010 against a statewide median of $83,010 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Compare that gap with the difference in living costs before treating it as a raise.
Related
- Clinical Laboratory Science degree programs in Oregon - statewide pay, licensing and metro comparison
- Clinical Laboratory Science programs and how to choose one
- Medical Assistant career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
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/.