Med Lab Scientist Salary

Aurora vs Denver: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Aurora, CO and Denver, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Aurora, CO
$74,830
$35.97/hr
Denver, CO
$76,510
$36.79/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAurora, CODenver, CO
Median Salary$74,830$76,510
Hourly Rate$35.97$36.79
Entry Level (P10)$44,671$53,093
25th Percentile$55,214$57,812
75th Percentile$95,782$96,104
Top Earner (P90)$115,986$111,647
Total Employed542,890
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Aurora ($74,830) and Denver ($76,510) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.AuroraDenverMedian Salary$74,830$76,510Entry Level (P10)$44,671$53,093Top Earner (P90)$115,986$111,647US Median $68,734

Verdict

Denver, CO offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Aurora.

The salary gap between Aurora and Denver is $1,680 (2.25%). Denver's median is +11.31% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Aurora spans $71,315,Denver spans $58,554. Aurora has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Aurora
P10 (Entry)$44,671
P25$55,214
Median$74,830
P75$95,782
P90 (Top)$115,986
Denver
P10 (Entry)$53,093
P25$57,812
Median$76,510
P75$96,104
P90 (Top)$111,647

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Denver ($72,328 effective) pays 1.49% more than Aurora ($71,267 effective).

Aurora
Nominal: $74,830
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $71,267
Denver
Nominal: $76,510
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $72,328

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Aurora if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($115,986)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Denver if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,510/year)
  • Larger job market (2,890 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,328)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Aurora grew -11.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 35.8% growth in Denver over the same period.

Aurora, CO

+-11.4%

$81,950 (2024) → $72,622 (2025)

Denver, CO

+35.8%

$54,660 (2019) → $74,253 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Aurora or Denver?

Denver has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $76,510/year, compared to Aurora at $74,830/year — a difference of $1,680 (2.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Aurora and Denver?

Aurora medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $35.97/hr while Denver hygienists earn $36.79/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Aurora to Denver as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Aurora and Denver. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Aurora = $71,267, Denver = $72,328), job availability (54 vs 2,890 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Aurora vs Denver?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $44,671 in Aurora and $53,093 in Denver. The Denver 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