Med Lab Scientist Salary

Alamogordo vs Albuquerque: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Alamogordo, NM and Albuquerque, NM. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Alamogordo, NM
$66,914
$32.17/hr
Albuquerque, NM
$51,596
$24.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlamogordo, NMAlbuquerque, NM
Median Salary$66,914$51,596
Hourly Rate$32.17$24.80
Entry Level (P10)$40,477$40,161
25th Percentile$51,917$42,302
75th Percentile$85,650$67,620
Top Earner (P90)$103,717$86,144
Total Employed81,280
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Alamogordo ($66,914) and Albuquerque ($51,596) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.AlamogordoAlbuquerqueMedian Salary$66,914$51,596Entry Level (P10)$40,477$40,161Top Earner (P90)$103,717$86,144US Median $68,734

Verdict

Alamogordo, NM offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Albuquerque.

The salary gap between Alamogordo and Albuquerque is $15,318 (29.69%). Alamogordo's median is -2.65% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Alamogordo spans $63,240,Albuquerque spans $45,983. Alamogordo has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Alamogordo
P10 (Entry)$40,477
P25$51,917
Median$66,914
P75$85,650
P90 (Top)$103,717
Albuquerque
P10 (Entry)$40,161
P25$42,302
Median$51,596
P75$67,620
P90 (Top)$86,144

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Alamogordo ($70,883 effective) pays 31.26% more than Albuquerque ($54,001 effective).

Alamogordo
Nominal: $66,914
CoL Index: 94.4
Adjusted: $70,883
Albuquerque
Nominal: $51,596
CoL Index: 95.546
Adjusted: $54,001

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Alamogordo if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,914/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($103,717)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,883)
  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Choose Albuquerque if…

  • Larger job market (1,280 employed)
  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Alamogordo grew 14.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 15.5% growth in Albuquerque over the same period.

Alamogordo, NM

+14.0%

$56,942 (2024) → $64,940 (2025)

Albuquerque, NM

+15.5%

$43,370 (2019) → $50,074 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Alamogordo or Albuquerque?

Alamogordo has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $66,914/year, compared to Albuquerque at $51,596/year — a difference of $15,318 (29.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Alamogordo and Albuquerque?

Alamogordo medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $32.17/hr while Albuquerque hygienists earn $24.80/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Alamogordo to Albuquerque as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Alamogordo and Albuquerque. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Alamogordo = $70,883, Albuquerque = $54,001), job availability (8 vs 1,280 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Alamogordo vs Albuquerque?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $40,477 in Alamogordo and $40,161 in Albuquerque. The Alamogordo area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Alexandra Choi, MS, MT(ASCP)

Career Analyst

Alexandra has 10 years of experience in clinical laboratory science. She specializes in molecular diagnostics. She works at a large metropolitan hospital.

Clinically reviewed by Jerome Patel, BS, MT(ASCP)Data verified by Fatima Hussain, MS, CLS

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.04% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alexandra Choi, MS, MT(ASCP), a licensed medical and clinical laboratory technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov