Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Albany, NY
$87,378
$42.01/hr
Schenectady, NY
$85,480
$41.09/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlbany, NYSchenectady, NY
Median Salary$87,378$85,480
Hourly Rate$42.01$41.09
Entry Level (P10)$44,694$53,614
25th Percentile$53,453$64,655
75th Percentile$104,744$109,414
Top Earner (P90)$113,657$132,494
Total Employed83016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Albany ($87,378) and Schenectady ($85,480) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.AlbanySchenectadyMedian Salary$87,378$85,480Entry Level (P10)$44,694$53,614Top Earner (P90)$113,657$132,494US Median $68,734

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Albany and Schenectady is $1,898 (2.22%). 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,Schenectady spans $78,880. Schenectady 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
Schenectady
P10 (Entry)$53,614
P25$64,655
Median$85,480
P75$109,414
P90 (Top)$132,494

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Albany ($87,759 effective) pays 18.99% more than Schenectady ($73,753 effective).

Albany
Nominal: $87,378
CoL Index: 99.566
Adjusted: $87,759
Schenectady
Nominal: $85,480
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $73,753

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 Schenectady if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($132,494)
  • 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 -7.6% growth in Schenectady over the same period.

Albany, NY

+47.7%

$57,430 (2019) → $84,800 (2025)

Schenectady, NY

+-7.6%

$89,799 (2024) → $82,958 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Albany has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $87,378/year, compared to Schenectady at $85,480/year — a difference of $1,898 (2.22%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Albany and Schenectady?

Albany medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $42.01/hr while Schenectady hygienists earn $41.09/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Albany and Schenectady. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Albany = $87,759, Schenectady = $73,753), job availability (830 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $44,694 in Albany and $53,614 in Schenectady. The Schenectady 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