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Compare clinical laboratory scientist (mls/cls) licensing requirements across 51 US states and territories. Click any row to view that state's full licensing guide.
Avg. Median Salary
$62,434
across 51 states
Avg. Time to License
4.2 years
across 51 states
Avg. Initial Cost
$25
across 51 states
| State | Median Salary | Time to License | Initial Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $47,790#47 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Alaska | $62,290#24 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Arizona | $62,480#22 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Arkansas | $50,480#46 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| California | $71,920#9 | 4.2 yr#1 | $279#50 | 1 mo#1 |
| Colorado | $69,580#11 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Connecticut | $75,200#7 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Delaware | $67,040#13 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| District of Columbia | $78,630#5 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Florida | $57,940#35 | 4.2 yr#1 | $205#49 | 1 mo#1 |
| Georgia | $62,950#20 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Hawaii | $62,180#25 | 4.2 yr#1 | $65#45 | 1 mo#1 |
| Idaho | $45,080#51 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Illinois | $66,940#15 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Indiana | $55,420#40 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Iowa | $54,560#43 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Kansas | $60,470#29 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Kentucky | $59,900#32 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Louisiana | $56,980#39 | 4.2 yr#1 | $65#45 | 1 mo#1 |
| Maine | $67,040#13 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Maryland | $60,150#31 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Massachusetts | $69,760#10 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Michigan | $58,610#34 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Minnesota | $74,840#8 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Mississippi | $47,480#48 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Missouri | $57,460#38 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Montana | $65,290#17 | 4.2 yr#1 | $100#48 | 1 mo#1 |
| Nebraska | $62,430#23 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Nevada | $50,720#45 | 4.2 yr#1 | $50#43 | 1 mo#1 |
| New Hampshire | $80,220#3 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| New Jersey | $65,270#18 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| New Mexico | $46,530#50 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| New York | $84,660#1 | 4.2 yr#1 | $345#51 | 1 mo#1 |
| North Carolina | $59,390#33 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| North Dakota | $61,790#26 | 4.2 yr#1 | $90#47 | 1 mo#1 |
| Ohio | $62,890#21 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Oklahoma | $54,820#42 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Oregon | $79,640#4 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,520#27 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Rhode Island | $81,220#2 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| South Carolina | $52,300#44 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| South Dakota | $57,540#37 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Tennessee | $57,760#36 | 4.2 yr#1 | $60#44 | 1 mo#1 |
| Texas | $54,840#41 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Utah | $47,450#49 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Vermont | $76,430#6 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Virginia | $60,720#28 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Washington | $68,650#12 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| West Virginia | $60,240#30 | 4.2 yr#1 | $25#42 | 1 mo#1 |
| Wisconsin | $63,340#19 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Wyoming | $65,320#16 | 4.2 yr#1 | $0#1 | 1 mo#1 |
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024. Timeline and processing times derived from state licensing board requirements. Cost includes government application and exam fees (excludes education/training costs). Rankings use dense ranking — tied values share the same rank.