Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Atlanta, GA
$71,574
$34.42/hr
Macon, GA
$65,806
$31.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GAMacon, GA
Median Salary$71,574$65,806
Hourly Rate$34.42$31.64
Entry Level (P10)$42,706$41,537
25th Percentile$53,562$50,330
75th Percentile$95,100$87,466
Top Earner (P90)$115,142$103,215
Total Employed6,750300
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($71,574) and Macon ($65,806) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.AtlantaMaconMedian Salary$71,574$65,806Entry Level (P10)$42,706$41,537Top Earner (P90)$115,142$103,215US Median $68,734

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Atlanta and Macon is $5,768 (8.77%). 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,Macon spans $61,678. 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
Macon
P10 (Entry)$41,537
P25$50,330
Median$65,806
P75$87,466
P90 (Top)$103,215

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Macon ($74,334 effective) pays 3.92% more than Atlanta ($71,533 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $71,574
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $71,533
Macon
Nominal: $65,806
CoL Index: 88.528
Adjusted: $74,334

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 Macon if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,334)
  • 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 32.3% growth in Macon over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+33.9%

$51,860 (2019) → $69,462 (2025)

Macon, GA

+32.3%

$48,290 (2019) → $63,865 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Atlanta has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $71,574/year, compared to Macon at $65,806/year — a difference of $5,768 (8.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Macon?

Atlanta medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $34.42/hr while Macon hygienists earn $31.64/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Macon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $71,533, Macon = $74,334), job availability (6,750 vs 300 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $42,706 in Atlanta and $41,537 in Macon. The Atlanta 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