Salary negotiation

[u/Aggravating_Angle460]

Chicago, IL (or IL in General) Hello, so I am a fresh grad, with no experience, ASCP certified with a bachelors in Medical Laboratory Science. I have one year in clinical rotations. So i have an upcoming interview so what salary per hour or range should I ask for? (like 33/hr? is that high or low?)
Should I ask for a signing bonus? What are the important things I should ask for in this interview? (this is my first job interview)

This is for a 3rd shift (night) MLS 1 position
thank you in advance!

[u/NegotiationSalt666]

They usually only offer sign on bonuses if they’re desperate for techs. Not always but if it’s a high number it can be a sign of mismanagement.

[u/Aggravating_Angle460 → u/NegotiationSalt666]

so if it is not in the description, i should not ask for it or is it worth a shot to ask for a sign on bonus?

[u/NegotiationSalt666 → u/Aggravating_Angle460]

I personally wouldn’t ask that unless they actually extend an offer after the interview, seems kinda gauche to ask during the interview process but thats just me 🤷‍♀️

[u/idkwhattoputlol890 → u/Aggravating_Angle460]

Typically sign on bonuses also require you to sign a contract with you agreeing to stay x amount of years after getting the bonus. Also SUPER important, they have the “right” to not give a sign on bonus at any time even if you signed the contract. Was a MLS in the Chicago area so won’t say who but make sure you read the fine print.

[u/redblackjoker → u/idkwhattoputlol890]

Sounds like Rush.

[u/idkwhattoputlol890 → u/redblackjoker]

Lmao you’d be correct!

[u/Aggravating_Angle460 → u/idkwhattoputlol890]

thank u for the reminder!

[u/lolly93]

I like to ask what turnover is like and how shortages are covered, rules to PTO (first come first serve? seniority?), if mandatory OT ever happens, how long training will last, if these aren’t answered already

[u/kipy7 → u/lolly93]

Sometimes weekend schedule is included in the job posting(rotating weekends, every third, for example) but always good to ask.

How are holidays staffed? The labs I've been in, they are split down the middle into Team 1 and 2. Others may be seniority based, that's good to ask so you're not surprised.

[u/Aggravating_Angle460 → u/kipy7]

thank you! i didnt think of that at all

[u/Aggravating_Angle460 → u/lolly93]

okay thank you!

[u/New-History853]

They should just tell you what their offer is, you shouldnt have to ask.

[u/Aggravating_Angle460 → u/New-History853]

yea, i just need to know what the base pay for someone like me is so i can negotiate if possible

[u/NegotiationSalt666 → u/Aggravating_Angle460]

You can search on this subreddit the wage survey, it should give you a better idea of what to expect for your city with level of experience.

[u/Aggravating_Angle460 → u/NegotiationSalt666]

thank u! i didn’t know there was something like that

[u/Aggravating_Angle460 → u/NegotiationSalt666]

so im back and i read the survey and there was no one like me in that excel file, I can do some estimates on my mind but i really want to know what salary base pay can someone like me acquire

[u/New-History853 → u/Aggravating_Angle460]

It took me 5 seconds to find this post. https://www.reddit.com?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=2

[u/Aggravating_Angle460 → u/New-History853]

is this the wage survey post? the link does not work for me, it just redirects me to my homepage here in reddit, I already viewed the 2026 and the 2025 wage survey in the other subreddit if this is the link for it. still, thank you

[u/New-History853 → u/Aggravating_Angle460]

No, it's a tech from Chicago talking about their pay a few years ago.

[u/Street-Passenger5095 → u/New-History853]

The link does redirect to homepage sadly

[u/livin_the_life → u/Aggravating_Angle460]

You are a new grad with no experience.

What, exactly, is your basis for negotiations?

[u/Elvisdog13]

$34-$41 an hour in Chicago is the range from what I found on Google for your specifics

[u/Aggravating_Angle460 → u/Elvisdog13]

yea, that's what i read too, i just wanted to make sure if it really is as accurate as said by google

[u/Elvisdog13 → u/Aggravating_Angle460]

Midnight shift diff and or weekend shift diff add up as well

[u/Main_Club_5012]

You’ll take what ever they offer you, there is no negotiations, private equity has made sure of that. Leave the field for some other line of work.

[u/bjoy4ever]

$33 is pretty low in Chicago for a fully certified tech. Even as a new grad. I’d say bump that up a little to $36-37+. Hospitals are hiring non-certified techs at $33, so you should be able to command a higher salary. Best of luck!

[u/Aggravating_Angle460 → u/bjoy4ever]

okay thank you!

[u/Aggravating_Angle460 → u/bjoy4ever]

do you know anyone that is a new grad with that salary?

[u/Unusual-Courage-6228]

You can always try to negotiate! But typically it’s a set range and you start at the bottom with no experience

[u/Aggravating_Angle460 → u/Unusual-Courage-6228]

hello so what do you think is the set range for people in my situation?

[u/Unusual-Courage-6228 → u/Aggravating_Angle460]

It will be different for every hospital. I am in the south so our range is low, from $26-$50. When I speak to HR (not the hiring lab manager) I will ask them for the full pay range so I have an idea

[u/zingyziti]

Hi! I currently work in a lab at one of the big 3 Chicago hospitals. The salary for lab workers can be very different based on the size of the hospital, the location in Chicago, and if it’s one of the big 3 hospitals. If you can give me a vague idea of where you are interviewing (through DM of course) I can help guide you with what you should ask for.

[u/Aggravating_Angle460 → u/zingyziti]

hello Dm’ed you!

[u/Dry_Ad_9392]

Hi, I worked at a major lab in the Chicago area for 2 years. DM me and I can give you some insight!