Med Lab Scientist Salary

Albertville vs Birmingham: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Albertville, AL and Birmingham, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Albertville, AL
$50,695
$24.37/hr
Birmingham, AL
$56,173
$27.01/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlbertville, ALBirmingham, AL
Median Salary$50,695$56,173
Hourly Rate$24.37$27.01
Entry Level (P10)$33,024$39,921
25th Percentile$40,959$46,234
75th Percentile$62,792$71,999
Top Earner (P90)$74,792$89,781
Total Employed42,790
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Albertville ($50,695) and Birmingham ($56,173) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.AlbertvilleBirminghamMedian Salary$50,695$56,173Entry Level (P10)$33,024$39,921Top Earner (P90)$74,792$89,781US Median $68,734

Verdict

Birmingham, AL offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Albertville.

The salary gap between Albertville and Birmingham is $5,478 (10.81%). Birmingham's median is -18.27% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Albertville spans $41,768,Birmingham spans $49,860. Birmingham has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Albertville
P10 (Entry)$33,024
P25$40,959
Median$50,695
P75$62,792
P90 (Top)$74,792
Birmingham
P10 (Entry)$39,921
P25$46,234
Median$56,173
P75$71,999
P90 (Top)$89,781

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Birmingham ($61,295 effective) pays 6.28% more than Albertville ($57,673 effective).

Albertville
Nominal: $50,695
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $57,673
Birmingham
Nominal: $56,173
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $61,295

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Albertville if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Birmingham if…

  • Higher median salary ($56,173/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($89,781)
  • Larger job market (2,790 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $61,295)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Albertville grew 0.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 12.1% growth in Birmingham over the same period.

Albertville, AL

+0.7%

$48,834 (2024) → $49,199 (2025)

Birmingham, AL

+12.1%

$48,630 (2019) → $54,516 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Albertville or Birmingham?

Birmingham has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $56,173/year, compared to Albertville at $50,695/year — a difference of $5,478 (10.81%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Albertville and Birmingham?

Albertville medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $24.37/hr while Birmingham hygienists earn $27.01/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Albertville to Birmingham as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Albertville and Birmingham. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Albertville = $57,673, Birmingham = $61,295), job availability (4 vs 2,790 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Albertville vs Birmingham?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $33,024 in Albertville and $39,921 in Birmingham. The Birmingham 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