Med Lab Scientist Salary

Anniston vs Huntsville: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Anniston, AL
$45,196
$21.72/hr
Huntsville, AL
$51,869
$24.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAnniston, ALHuntsville, AL
Median Salary$45,196$51,869
Hourly Rate$21.72$24.94
Entry Level (P10)$32,843$35,977
25th Percentile$40,227$41,362
75th Percentile$50,363$67,248
Top Earner (P90)$69,389$86,220
Total Employed180630
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Anniston ($45,196) and Huntsville ($51,869) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.AnnistonHuntsvilleMedian Salary$45,196$51,869Entry Level (P10)$32,843$35,977Top Earner (P90)$69,389$86,220US Median $68,734

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Anniston and Huntsville is $6,673 (14.76%). Huntsville's median is -24.54% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Anniston spans $36,546,Huntsville spans $50,243. Huntsville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Anniston
P10 (Entry)$32,843
P25$40,227
Median$45,196
P75$50,363
P90 (Top)$69,389
Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$35,977
P25$41,362
Median$51,869
P75$67,248
P90 (Top)$86,220

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Huntsville ($55,730 effective) pays 5.98% more than Anniston ($52,585 effective).

Anniston
Nominal: $45,196
CoL Index: 85.949
Adjusted: $52,585
Huntsville
Nominal: $51,869
CoL Index: 93.072
Adjusted: $55,730

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Anniston if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Huntsville if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,869/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($86,220)
  • Larger job market (630 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $55,730)
  • 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 Anniston grew 23.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 33.5% growth in Huntsville over the same period.

Anniston, AL

+23.3%

$35,580 (2019) → $43,863 (2025)

Huntsville, AL

+33.5%

$37,720 (2019) → $50,339 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Anniston or Huntsville?

Huntsville has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $51,869/year, compared to Anniston at $45,196/year — a difference of $6,673 (14.76%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Anniston and Huntsville?

Anniston medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $21.72/hr while Huntsville hygienists earn $24.94/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Anniston to Huntsville as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Anniston and Huntsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Anniston = $52,585, Huntsville = $55,730), job availability (180 vs 630 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Anniston vs Huntsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $32,843 in Anniston and $35,977 in Huntsville. The Huntsville 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