Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Augusta, GA
$73,222
$35.20/hr
McDonough, GA
$63,442
$30.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GAMcDonough, GA
Median Salary$73,222$63,442
Hourly Rate$35.20$30.50
Entry Level (P10)$43,405$42,629
25th Percentile$50,308$49,909
75th Percentile$85,674$79,386
Top Earner (P90)$100,769$98,335
Total Employed5707
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($73,222) and McDonough ($63,442) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.AugustaMcDonoughMedian Salary$73,222$63,442Entry Level (P10)$43,405$42,629Top Earner (P90)$100,769$98,335US Median $68,734

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Augusta and McDonough is $9,780 (15.42%). 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,McDonough spans $55,706. 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
McDonough
P10 (Entry)$42,629
P25$49,909
Median$63,442
P75$79,386
P90 (Top)$98,335

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Augusta ($79,673 effective) pays 16.92% more than McDonough ($68,144 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $73,222
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $79,673
McDonough
Nominal: $63,442
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $68,144

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 McDonough 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 McDonough over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+33.5%

$53,220 (2019) → $71,062 (2025)

McDonough, GA

+4.0%

$59,224 (2024) → $61,570 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Augusta has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $73,222/year, compared to McDonough at $63,442/year — a difference of $9,780 (15.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and McDonough?

Augusta medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $35.20/hr while McDonough hygienists earn $30.50/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and McDonough. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $79,673, McDonough = $68,144), job availability (570 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $43,405 in Augusta and $42,629 in McDonough. The Augusta 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