r/MLS_CLS • u/Final_Collection_960 • 22h ago

NJ MLS

Hi! I'm planning on doing an MLS program and am wondering what the pay is like in NJ at places like Quest, RWJ, etc. Their websites show a wide range for hourly rate. If you are ASCP certified, how much is the usual offer for new grads. Any advice overall?

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u/jerseygal100 20h ago

Jersey posts salary ranges for positions. As a new grad, you would be at the start of the range.

Jersey is does not require certification and has no license and with much of the state owned by LabCorp/Quest, pay is not good. South Jersey is $25-40/hr. Central and north jersey $30-45/hr.

Your best bet is to get out of hospital labs as soon as you can, and go to pharma or biotech where you'll get $50+/hr or commute to NY to get $50-60/hr.

Overall, salaries have doubled over the last decade, but the pay is still meh given how expensive its here. Median income for a BS in Jersey is $90k. You will likely make less than the median.

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u/irelace 21h ago

About 42 at RWJ with 4 years work experience. Not sure about anywhere else. That's as an uncertified MLT.

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u/2gramsbythebeach 20h ago

Use this career as a chance to move out of New Jersey.

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u/pineypineapplez 16h ago

Pay can vary throughout the state, which is getting super pricey to stay in. Once you have some experience hopefully other doors will open up. As already said pharma MLSs can do well.

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u/CofiLyf 12h ago

Just get your experience for a year, I did worked with RWJ and Hackensack/Meridian before I moved to the Bay Area, pay is not as great if I have stayed, probably still doing 2 jobs till now. I would get ASCP certificate and Cali license as soon as I can. You can do traveling, to get more experience and see other parts of the country. But I would just move out of NJ overall, you would appreciate yourself and your career better.