Med Lab Scientist Salary

Arvada vs Colorado Springs: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Arvada, CO and Colorado Springs, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Arvada, CO
$78,341
$37.66/hr
Colorado Springs, CO
$84,429
$40.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricArvada, COColorado Springs, CO
Median Salary$78,341$84,429
Hourly Rate$37.66$40.59
Entry Level (P10)$50,296$50,646
25th Percentile$60,279$62,454
75th Percentile$100,276$99,480
Top Earner (P90)$121,430$117,294
Total Employed31510
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Arvada ($78,341) and Colorado Springs ($84,429) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.ArvadaColorado SpringsMedian Salary$78,341$84,429Entry Level (P10)$50,296$50,646Top Earner (P90)$121,430$117,294US Median $68,734

Verdict

Colorado Springs, CO offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Arvada.

The salary gap between Arvada and Colorado Springs is $6,088 (7.77%). Colorado Springs's median is +22.83% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Arvada spans $71,134,Colorado Springs spans $66,648. Arvada has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Arvada
P10 (Entry)$50,296
P25$60,279
Median$78,341
P75$100,276
P90 (Top)$121,430
Colorado Springs
P10 (Entry)$50,646
P25$62,454
Median$84,429
P75$99,480
P90 (Top)$117,294

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Colorado Springs ($83,836 effective) pays 12.37% more than Arvada ($74,610 effective).

Arvada
Nominal: $78,341
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $74,610
Colorado Springs
Nominal: $84,429
CoL Index: 100.707
Adjusted: $83,836

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Arvada if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($121,430)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Colorado Springs if…

  • Higher median salary ($84,429/year)
  • Larger job market (510 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $83,836)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Arvada grew -7.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 28.4% growth in Colorado Springs over the same period.

Arvada, CO

+-7.0%

$81,710 (2024) → $76,030 (2025)

Colorado Springs, CO

+28.4%

$63,830 (2019) → $81,938 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Arvada or Colorado Springs?

Colorado Springs has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $84,429/year, compared to Arvada at $78,341/year — a difference of $6,088 (7.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Arvada and Colorado Springs?

Arvada medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $37.66/hr while Colorado Springs hygienists earn $40.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Arvada to Colorado Springs as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Arvada and Colorado Springs. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Arvada = $74,610, Colorado Springs = $83,836), job availability (31 vs 510 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Arvada vs Colorado Springs?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $50,296 in Arvada and $50,646 in Colorado Springs. The Colorado Springs 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