Med Lab Scientist Salary

Albany vs Auburn: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Albany, NY and Auburn, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Albany, NY
$87,378
$42.01/hr
Auburn, NY
$84,384
$40.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlbany, NYAuburn, NY
Median Salary$87,378$84,384
Hourly Rate$42.01$40.57
Entry Level (P10)$44,694$54,685
25th Percentile$53,453$64,962
75th Percentile$104,744$108,011
Top Earner (P90)$113,657$130,795
Total Employed8304
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Albany ($87,378) and Auburn ($84,384) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.AlbanyAuburnMedian Salary$87,378$84,384Entry Level (P10)$44,694$54,685Top Earner (P90)$113,657$130,795US Median $68,734

Verdict

Albany, NY offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Auburn.

The salary gap between Albany and Auburn is $2,994 (3.55%). Albany's median is +27.12% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Albany spans $68,963,Auburn spans $76,110. Auburn has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Albany
P10 (Entry)$44,694
P25$53,453
Median$87,378
P75$104,744
P90 (Top)$113,657
Auburn
P10 (Entry)$54,685
P25$64,962
Median$84,384
P75$108,011
P90 (Top)$130,795

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Albany ($87,759 effective) pays 20.54% more than Auburn ($72,808 effective).

Albany
Nominal: $87,378
CoL Index: 99.566
Adjusted: $87,759
Auburn
Nominal: $84,384
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $72,808

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Albany if…

  • Higher median salary ($87,378/year)
  • Larger job market (830 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $87,759)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Auburn if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($130,795)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Albany grew 47.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -7.1% growth in Auburn over the same period.

Albany, NY

+47.7%

$57,430 (2019) → $84,800 (2025)

Auburn, NY

+-7.1%

$88,122 (2024) → $81,894 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Albany or Auburn?

Albany has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $87,378/year, compared to Auburn at $84,384/year — a difference of $2,994 (3.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Albany and Auburn?

Albany medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $42.01/hr while Auburn hygienists earn $40.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Albany to Auburn as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Albany and Auburn. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Albany = $87,759, Auburn = $72,808), job availability (830 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Albany vs Auburn?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $44,694 in Albany and $54,685 in Auburn. The Auburn area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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