Med Lab Scientist Salary

Auburn Hills vs Detroit: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Auburn Hills, MI and Detroit, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Auburn Hills, MI
$66,322
$31.88/hr
Detroit, MI
$64,343
$30.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAuburn Hills, MIDetroit, MI
Median Salary$66,322$64,343
Hourly Rate$31.88$30.93
Entry Level (P10)$40,512$41,220
25th Percentile$49,182$47,773
75th Percentile$84,892$87,990
Top Earner (P90)$102,799$103,882
Total Employed44,570
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Auburn Hills ($66,322) and Detroit ($64,343) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.Auburn HillsDetroitMedian Salary$66,322$64,343Entry Level (P10)$40,512$41,220Top Earner (P90)$102,799$103,882US Median $68,734

Verdict

Auburn Hills and Detroit are closely matched on overall medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Auburn Hills and Detroit is $1,979 (3.08%). Auburn Hills's median is -3.51% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Auburn Hills spans $62,287,Detroit spans $62,662. Detroit has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Auburn Hills
P10 (Entry)$40,512
P25$49,182
Median$66,322
P75$84,892
P90 (Top)$102,799
Detroit
P10 (Entry)$41,220
P25$47,773
Median$64,343
P75$87,990
P90 (Top)$103,882

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Auburn Hills ($71,161 effective) pays 10.93% more than Detroit ($64,152 effective).

Auburn Hills
Nominal: $66,322
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $71,161
Detroit
Nominal: $64,343
CoL Index: 100.298
Adjusted: $64,152

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Auburn Hills if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,322/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,161)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Detroit if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($103,882)
  • Larger job market (4,570 employed)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Auburn Hills grew 4.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 15.5% growth in Detroit over the same period.

Auburn Hills, MI

+4.0%

$61,880 (2024) → $64,365 (2025)

Detroit, MI

+15.5%

$54,080 (2019) → $62,445 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Auburn Hills or Detroit?

Auburn Hills has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $66,322/year, compared to Detroit at $64,343/year — a difference of $1,979 (3.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Auburn Hills and Detroit?

Auburn Hills medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $31.88/hr while Detroit hygienists earn $30.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Auburn Hills to Detroit as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Auburn Hills and Detroit. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Auburn Hills = $71,161, Detroit = $64,152), job availability (4 vs 4,570 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Auburn Hills vs Detroit?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $40,512 in Auburn Hills and $41,220 in Detroit. The Detroit 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