Med Lab Scientist Salary

Baltimore vs Potomac: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Baltimore, MD and Potomac, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baltimore, MD
$63,273
$30.42/hr
Potomac, MD
$77,228
$37.13/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaltimore, MDPotomac, MD
Median Salary$63,273$77,228
Hourly Rate$30.42$37.13
Entry Level (P10)$36,426$46,227
25th Percentile$43,230$61,335
75th Percentile$89,705$98,852
Top Earner (P90)$104,132$119,705
Total Employed3,97011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baltimore ($63,273) and Potomac ($77,228) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.BaltimorePotomacMedian Salary$63,273$77,228Entry Level (P10)$36,426$46,227Top Earner (P90)$104,132$119,705US Median $68,734

Verdict

Potomac, MD offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Baltimore.

The salary gap between Baltimore and Potomac is $13,955 (22.06%). Potomac's median is +12.36% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baltimore spans $67,706,Potomac spans $73,478. Potomac has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Baltimore
P10 (Entry)$36,426
P25$43,230
Median$63,273
P75$89,705
P90 (Top)$104,132
Potomac
P10 (Entry)$46,227
P25$61,335
Median$77,228
P75$98,852
P90 (Top)$119,705

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Potomac ($70,657 effective) pays 16.68% more than Baltimore ($60,556 effective).

Baltimore
Nominal: $63,273
CoL Index: 104.487
Adjusted: $60,556
Potomac
Nominal: $77,228
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $70,657

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baltimore if…

  • Larger job market (3,970 employed)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Potomac if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,228/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($119,705)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,657)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Baltimore grew 26.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -9.3% growth in Potomac over the same period.

Baltimore, MD

+26.9%

$48,400 (2019) → $61,406 (2025)

Potomac, MD

+-9.3%

$82,680 (2024) → $74,950 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Baltimore or Potomac?

Potomac has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $77,228/year, compared to Baltimore at $63,273/year — a difference of $13,955 (22.06%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baltimore and Potomac?

Baltimore medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $30.42/hr while Potomac hygienists earn $37.13/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baltimore to Potomac as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baltimore and Potomac. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baltimore = $60,556, Potomac = $70,657), job availability (3,970 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Baltimore vs Potomac?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $36,426 in Baltimore and $46,227 in Potomac. The Potomac 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