Med Lab Scientist Salary

Ballwin vs St. Louis: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Ballwin, MO and St. Louis, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Ballwin, MO
$57,024
$27.42/hr
St. Louis, MO
$67,532
$32.47/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBallwin, MOSt. Louis, MO
Median Salary$57,024$67,532
Hourly Rate$27.42$32.47
Entry Level (P10)$36,074$41,941
25th Percentile$43,205$52,263
75th Percentile$72,991$86,188
Top Earner (P90)$88,388$105,793
Total Employed43,960
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Ballwin ($57,024) and St. Louis ($67,532) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.BallwinSt. LouisMedian Salary$57,024$67,532Entry Level (P10)$36,074$41,941Top Earner (P90)$88,388$105,793US Median $68,734

Verdict

St. Louis, MO offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Ballwin.

The salary gap between Ballwin and St. Louis is $10,508 (18.43%). St. Louis's median is -1.75% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Ballwin spans $52,314,St. Louis spans $63,852. St. Louis has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Ballwin
P10 (Entry)$36,074
P25$43,205
Median$57,024
P75$72,991
P90 (Top)$88,388
St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$41,941
P25$52,263
Median$67,532
P75$86,188
P90 (Top)$105,793

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Louis ($71,021 effective) pays 11.59% more than Ballwin ($63,643 effective).

Ballwin
Nominal: $57,024
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $63,643
St. Louis
Nominal: $67,532
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $71,021

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Ballwin if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose St. Louis if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,532/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($105,793)
  • Larger job market (3,960 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,021)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Ballwin grew 0.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 35.6% growth in St. Louis over the same period.

Ballwin, MO

+0.7%

$54,958 (2024) → $55,342 (2025)

St. Louis, MO

+35.6%

$48,350 (2019) → $65,540 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Ballwin or St. Louis?

St. Louis has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $67,532/year, compared to Ballwin at $57,024/year — a difference of $10,508 (18.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Ballwin and St. Louis?

Ballwin medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $27.42/hr while St. Louis hygienists earn $32.47/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Ballwin to St. Louis as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Ballwin and St. Louis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Ballwin = $63,643, St. Louis = $71,021), job availability (4 vs 3,960 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Ballwin vs St. Louis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $36,074 in Ballwin and $41,941 in St. Louis. The St. Louis 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