Salary data is based on the Kahului-Wailuku, HI metropolitan area and applied to Hilo using local cost-of-living adjustments.

Biological Technicians Salaries in Hilo, HI

Average Base Pay

$65,855/yr

27% above national average

Monthly

$5,488

Hourly

$32

Cost Index

130

Biological Technicians in Hilo, HI earn an average of $65,855 per year, with most salaries falling between $52,684 and $79,026 depending on experience, employer, and specialization. At 27% above the national average, Hilo ranks among the higher-paying markets for this role, in part reflecting a local cost of living index of 130. For professionals evaluating a move or negotiating an offer, the headline salary is only part of the picture—what matters most is how far that income actually goes once taxes, rent, and daily expenses are factored in. The sections below break that down in full for Hilo.

Salary Range

The chart below shows the full compensation spectrum for this role, from entry-level to senior positions. The highlighted center bars represent the 25th–75th percentile band where most professionals are paid.

$49K
Low

$66K
Median

$82K
High

25th percentile: $56K75th percentile: $76K

About Biological Technicians

Medical Laboratory Technicians perform analytical tests on blood, urine, tissue, and other biological specimens that physicians use to diagnose, monitor, and treat diseases. They operate sophisticated laboratory instruments, prepare specimens, run tests, and report results to clinical staff. MLTs work across multiple laboratory disciplines: hematology (blood cell counts and morphology), clinical chemistry (metabolic panels, enzyme levels), microbiology (identifying bacterial and fungal pathogens), immunology, blood banking, and urinalysis. Accuracy and attention to detail are paramount—laboratory results directly influence clinical decisions, and errors can have serious patient safety consequences. MLTs must follow strict quality control protocols, calibrate and maintain instrumentation, and troubleshoot unexpected results. They work in hospital laboratories, reference laboratories, physician office labs, and public health laboratories. An associate degree in medical laboratory technology and certification through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) are standard entry requirements. MLTs work closely with medical laboratory scientists and pathologists in high-volume environments that often include night and weekend shifts.

What Biological Technicians Do

Collect or receive biological specimens and process them for testing
Perform hematology, chemistry, microbiology, blood bank, and urinalysis tests
Operate and maintain laboratory analyzers and instruments
Apply quality control procedures and troubleshoot out-of-range results
Report test results accurately and in a timely manner
Follow safety and infection control protocols for handling biological hazards
Maintain specimen and reagent inventory
Document procedures, results, and equipment maintenance records

Key Skills & Qualifications

Proficiency with laboratory analyzers and point-of-care testing devices
Knowledge of laboratory disciplines including hematology, chemistry, and microbiology
Quality control principles and laboratory accreditation standards (CAP, CLIA)
Attention to detail and precision in specimen handling and result reporting
Safety and biohazard handling protocols
Laboratory information system (LIS) data entry
ASCP or AMT certification
Critical thinking to identify and resolve discrepant results

Career Path

Phlebotomist / Lab Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)
Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS/MT)
Laboratory Supervisor
Laboratory Director / Pathology Manager

Biological Technicians Market in Hilo, HI

Salary Competitiveness

Hilo is one of the stronger-paying markets for Biological Technicians, with local salaries running approximately 27% above the national median. This premium typically reflects a combination of higher employer competition, concentrated industry presence, and elevated cost expectations built into local compensation norms.

Cost of Living Impact

The cost of living in Hilo is well above the national average, and essential monthly expenses consume roughly 84% of take-home pay for this role. That compression means a higher gross salary buys less financial breathing room than the headline number suggests—particularly for housing, which tends to dominate the budget in high-cost markets.

Effective Purchasing Power

Despite a competitive gross salary, a Biological Technicians earning $65,855 in Hilo operates in a tight purchasing-power band once taxes and local cost of living are applied. Careful planning around housing, transportation, and discretionary spending is essential to avoid running negative disposable income month to month.

vs. National Avg

+27%

Cost Pressure

84%

Purchasing Power

Tight

Take-Home Pay Calculator

Enter any gross salary to see how federal and state taxes affect your actual take-home pay, broken down by year, month, and week. Results use an estimated effective tax rate of 27% based on this location and income level.

Annual Salary

Take-home (73%)Taxes (27%)

Annual Net

$48,074

Monthly

$4,006

Weekly

$925

Eff. Tax Rate

27%

A gross salary of $65,855 for a Biological Technicians in Hilo translates to roughly $4,006 in monthly take-home pay after estimated federal and state taxes. Set against monthly living costs of $3,368—covering housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare—that leaves approximately $638 per month in disposable income. That margin, not the gross number, is what determines whether you can comfortably cover rent, build savings, and afford discretionary spending in Hilo's current market.

How far does this salary go in Hilo?

Cost of Living in Hilo

Estimated monthly expenses for a single person in Hilo, benchmarked against US regional price indices for housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare.

Cost Index

130

High — US average is 100. Based on a single person (1-bed apartment).

🏠Housing / Rent$1,937/mo

🍔Food & Groceries$646/mo

🚗Transportation$174/mo

💡Utilities$227/mo

🏥Healthcare$384/mo

Monthly$3,368

Annual$40,416

Disposable Income$638

Financial Reality Check

This section compares estimated monthly take-home pay against typical living costs in Hilo to show your real disposable income—the amount remaining after essential bills are paid each month.

Monthly Take-Home

$4,006

Living Costs

$3,368

Disposable

$638

Cost Index

130

Lifestyle

Tight

With a monthly take-home of $4,006, your estimated living costs in Hilo are $3,368 ($40,416/yr). This leaves $638 per month in disposable income, indicating a tight standard of living. Hilo's cost of living is 30% above the national average.

Overall, a Biological Technicians earning $65,855 in Hilo falls into a tight lifestyle tier and will need to budget carefully—essential costs consume a significant share of take-home pay, leaving limited room for savings or emergencies. With a cost index of 130, Hilo is 30% more expensive than the national average, which compresses real purchasing power. Regardless of tier, prioritizing retirement contributions, an emergency fund of three to six months' expenses, and incremental debt reduction will yield the greatest long-term financial stability—especially as living costs in Hilo continue to evolve.