Med Lab Scientist Salary

Beckley vs Morgantown: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Beckley, WV and Morgantown, WV. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Beckley, WV
$52,165
$25.08/hr
Morgantown, WV
$68,275
$32.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBeckley, WVMorgantown, WV
Median Salary$52,165$68,275
Hourly Rate$25.08$32.82
Entry Level (P10)$37,234$41,210
25th Percentile$43,186$51,619
75th Percentile$70,536$84,134
Top Earner (P90)$84,581$96,695
Total Employed130350
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Beckley ($52,165) and Morgantown ($68,275) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.BeckleyMorgantownMedian Salary$52,165$68,275Entry Level (P10)$37,234$41,210Top Earner (P90)$84,581$96,695US Median $68,734

Verdict

Morgantown, WV offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Beckley.

The salary gap between Beckley and Morgantown is $16,110 (30.88%). Morgantown's median is -0.67% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Beckley spans $47,347,Morgantown spans $55,485. Morgantown has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Beckley
P10 (Entry)$37,234
P25$43,186
Median$52,165
P75$70,536
P90 (Top)$84,581
Morgantown
P10 (Entry)$41,210
P25$51,619
Median$68,275
P75$84,134
P90 (Top)$96,695

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Morgantown ($73,160 effective) pays 23.93% more than Beckley ($59,031 effective).

Beckley
Nominal: $52,165
CoL Index: 88.369
Adjusted: $59,031
Morgantown
Nominal: $68,275
CoL Index: 93.323
Adjusted: $73,160

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Beckley if…

  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Morgantown if…

  • Higher median salary ($68,275/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,695)
  • Larger job market (350 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,160)
  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Beckley grew 3.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 34.8% growth in Morgantown over the same period.

Beckley, WV

+3.8%

$48,780 (2019) → $50,626 (2025)

Morgantown, WV

+34.8%

$49,150 (2019) → $66,261 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Beckley or Morgantown?

Morgantown has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $68,275/year, compared to Beckley at $52,165/year — a difference of $16,110 (30.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Beckley and Morgantown?

Beckley medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $25.08/hr while Morgantown hygienists earn $32.82/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Beckley to Morgantown as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Beckley and Morgantown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Beckley = $59,031, Morgantown = $73,160), job availability (130 vs 350 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Beckley vs Morgantown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $37,234 in Beckley and $41,210 in Morgantown. The Morgantown 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