Med Lab Scientist Salary

Baton Rouge vs New Iberia: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Baton Rouge, LA and New Iberia, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baton Rouge, LA
$57,560
$27.68/hr
New Iberia, LA
$57,424
$27.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaton Rouge, LANew Iberia, LA
Median Salary$57,560$57,424
Hourly Rate$27.68$27.60
Entry Level (P10)$40,424$36,972
25th Percentile$45,862$43,983
75th Percentile$70,787$73,503
Top Earner (P90)$88,591$88,270
Total Employed7007
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baton Rouge ($57,560) and New Iberia ($57,424) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.Baton RougeNew IberiaMedian Salary$57,560$57,424Entry Level (P10)$40,424$36,972Top Earner (P90)$88,591$88,270US Median $68,734

Verdict

Baton Rouge, LA offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to New Iberia.

The salary gap between Baton Rouge and New Iberia is $136 (0.24%). Baton Rouge's median is -16.26% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baton Rouge spans $48,167,New Iberia spans $51,298. New Iberia has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Baton Rouge
P10 (Entry)$40,424
P25$45,862
Median$57,560
P75$70,787
P90 (Top)$88,591
New Iberia
P10 (Entry)$36,972
P25$43,983
Median$57,424
P75$73,503
P90 (Top)$88,270

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Iberia ($63,592 effective) pays 0.29% more than Baton Rouge ($63,406 effective).

Baton Rouge
Nominal: $57,560
CoL Index: 90.78
Adjusted: $63,406
New Iberia
Nominal: $57,424
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $63,592

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baton Rouge if…

  • Higher median salary ($57,560/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($88,591)
  • Larger job market (700 employed)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose New Iberia if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,592)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Baton Rouge grew 30.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 8.6% growth in New Iberia over the same period.

Baton Rouge, LA

+30.9%

$42,670 (2019) → $55,862 (2025)

New Iberia, LA

+8.6%

$51,325 (2024) → $55,730 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Baton Rouge or New Iberia?

Baton Rouge has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $57,560/year, compared to New Iberia at $57,424/year — a difference of $136 (0.24%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baton Rouge and New Iberia?

Baton Rouge medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $27.68/hr while New Iberia hygienists earn $27.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baton Rouge to New Iberia as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baton Rouge and New Iberia. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baton Rouge = $63,406, New Iberia = $63,592), job availability (700 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Baton Rouge vs New Iberia?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $40,424 in Baton Rouge and $36,972 in New Iberia. The Baton Rouge 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