Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Atlanta, GA
$71,574
$34.42/hr
Albany, GA
$64,845
$31.17/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GAAlbany, GA
Median Salary$71,574$64,845
Hourly Rate$34.42$31.17
Entry Level (P10)$42,706$40,183
25th Percentile$53,562$46,113
75th Percentile$95,100$86,111
Top Earner (P90)$115,142$103,434
Total Employed6,750210
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($71,574) and Albany ($64,845) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.AtlantaAlbanyMedian Salary$71,574$64,845Entry Level (P10)$42,706$40,183Top Earner (P90)$115,142$103,434US Median $68,734

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Atlanta and Albany is $6,729 (10.38%). Atlanta's median is +4.13% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlanta spans $72,436,Albany spans $63,251. Atlanta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Atlanta
P10 (Entry)$42,706
P25$53,562
Median$71,574
P75$95,100
P90 (Top)$115,142
Albany
P10 (Entry)$40,183
P25$46,113
Median$64,845
P75$86,111
P90 (Top)$103,434

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Albany ($73,966 effective) pays 3.40% more than Atlanta ($71,533 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $71,574
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $71,533
Albany
Nominal: $64,845
CoL Index: 87.669
Adjusted: $73,966

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlanta if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,574/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($115,142)
  • Larger job market (6,750 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Albany if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,966)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Atlanta grew 33.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 34.6% growth in Albany over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+33.9%

$51,860 (2019) → $69,462 (2025)

Albany, GA

+34.6%

$46,750 (2021) → $62,932 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Atlanta has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $71,574/year, compared to Albany at $64,845/year — a difference of $6,729 (10.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Albany?

Atlanta medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $34.42/hr while Albany hygienists earn $31.17/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Albany. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $71,533, Albany = $73,966), job availability (6,750 vs 210 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $42,706 in Atlanta and $40,183 in Albany. The Atlanta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AC

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