Med Lab Scientist Salary

Augusta vs Cartersville: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Augusta, GA
$73,222
$35.20/hr
Cartersville, GA
$62,698
$30.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GACartersville, GA
Median Salary$73,222$62,698
Hourly Rate$35.20$30.14
Entry Level (P10)$43,405$40,238
25th Percentile$50,308$47,752
75th Percentile$85,674$77,244
Top Earner (P90)$100,769$91,831
Total Employed5704
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($73,222) and Cartersville ($62,698) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.AugustaCartersvilleMedian Salary$73,222$62,698Entry Level (P10)$43,405$40,238Top Earner (P90)$100,769$91,831US Median $68,734

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Augusta and Cartersville is $10,524 (16.79%). Augusta's median is +6.53% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $57,364,Cartersville spans $51,593. Augusta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$43,405
P25$50,308
Median$73,222
P75$85,674
P90 (Top)$100,769
Cartersville
P10 (Entry)$40,238
P25$47,752
Median$62,698
P75$77,244
P90 (Top)$91,831

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Augusta ($79,673 effective) pays 18.31% more than Cartersville ($67,345 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $73,222
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $79,673
Cartersville
Nominal: $62,698
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $67,345

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • Higher median salary ($73,222/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($100,769)
  • Larger job market (570 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,673)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Cartersville if…

  • 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 Augusta grew 33.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.0% growth in Cartersville over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+33.5%

$53,220 (2019) → $71,062 (2025)

Cartersville, GA

+4.0%

$58,529 (2024) → $60,848 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Augusta or Cartersville?

Augusta has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $73,222/year, compared to Cartersville at $62,698/year — a difference of $10,524 (16.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Cartersville?

Augusta medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $35.20/hr while Cartersville hygienists earn $30.14/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Cartersville as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Cartersville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $79,673, Cartersville = $67,345), job availability (570 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Augusta vs Cartersville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $43,405 in Augusta and $40,238 in Cartersville. The Augusta 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