2014-2015 Clinical Laboratory Science Faculty Salary Survey

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to report faculty salary and benefit information for professionals in clinical laboratory science.

METHODS: Salary data from the 2014-2015 academic year were collected using an electronic survey through Baseline (Campus Labs), a survey tool used with a web interface at Austin Peay State University. Survey respondents were recruited via e-mail and included members of the American Society of Clinical Laboratory Science, subscribers to the Clinical Laboratory Science Educator's listserv, and members of the programs accredited by the National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Salary data were sorted by certification, highest degree earned, position title or academic rank, and employer type. Statistical analysis was performed and data reported as mean, standard error of the mean, 95% confidence intervals, and relative error of the mean.

RESULTS: The average salary of certified medical laboratory scientist (MLS)/medical technologist (MT) faculty increased from $61,823.44 for those with bachelor's degrees to $99,321.35 for those with doctoral degrees. Those with molecular biology certification had average salaries of $87,200.00 for respondents with master's degrees and $96,495.83 for respondents with doctoral degrees. The average total annual salary for MLS/MT faculty was $64,239.96 for full-time instructors/adjuncts/ lecturers and $104,620.00 for full professors. Salaries at university hospitals were substantially larger than those at community colleges.

CONCLUSIONS: This study, the first to examine the faculty salaries of clinical laboratory scientists, provides new, publically available information about faculty salaries in clinical laboratory science. This information can be used by policy makers and clinical professionals to gauge fair and competitive market salaries and set promotional structures. Previously, such data have been available only by subscription and at prices that only larger institutions can afford.

ABBREVIATIONS: MLT - medical laboratory technician, MLS - medical laboratory scientist, CIP - Classification of Instructional Programs, ASCLS - American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, NAACLS - National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, MLS(ASCP)^CM - MLS credentialed by the American Society for Clinical Pathology, MT(ASCP) - medical technologist credentialed by the American Society for Clinical Pathology prior to October 22, 2009, MT(AMT) - medical technologist credentialed by American Medical Technologists, USD - U.S. dollars, SD - standard deviation, SEM - standard error of the mean, REM - relative error of the mean, SBB - Specialist in Blood Banking, SH - Specialist in Hematology, SM - Specialist in Microbiology , SC - Specialist in Chemistry , DLM - Diplomate in Laboratory Management .