Med Lab Scientist Salary

Birmingham vs Madison: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Birmingham, AL and Madison, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Birmingham, AL
$56,173
$27.01/hr
Madison, AL
$51,600
$24.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALMadison, AL
Median Salary$56,173$51,600
Hourly Rate$27.01$24.81
Entry Level (P10)$39,921$32,906
25th Percentile$46,234$39,435
75th Percentile$71,999$66,049
Top Earner (P90)$89,781$79,981
Total Employed2,7909
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($56,173) and Madison ($51,600) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.BirminghamMadisonMedian Salary$56,173$51,600Entry Level (P10)$39,921$32,906Top Earner (P90)$89,781$79,981US Median $68,734

Verdict

Birmingham, AL offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Madison.

The salary gap between Birmingham and Madison is $4,573 (8.86%). Birmingham's median is -18.27% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Birmingham spans $49,860,Madison spans $47,075. Birmingham has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Birmingham
P10 (Entry)$39,921
P25$46,234
Median$56,173
P75$71,999
P90 (Top)$89,781
Madison
P10 (Entry)$32,906
P25$39,435
Median$51,600
P75$66,049
P90 (Top)$79,981

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Birmingham ($61,295 effective) pays 4.41% more than Madison ($58,703 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $56,173
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $61,295
Madison
Nominal: $51,600
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $58,703

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Birmingham if…

  • Higher median salary ($56,173/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($89,781)
  • Larger job market (2,790 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $61,295)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Madison if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Birmingham grew 12.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.7% growth in Madison over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+12.1%

$48,630 (2019) → $54,516 (2025)

Madison, AL

+0.7%

$49,707 (2024) → $50,078 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Birmingham or Madison?

Birmingham has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $56,173/year, compared to Madison at $51,600/year — a difference of $4,573 (8.86%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Madison?

Birmingham medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $27.01/hr while Madison hygienists earn $24.81/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Birmingham to Madison as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Madison. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $61,295, Madison = $58,703), job availability (2,790 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Birmingham vs Madison?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $39,921 in Birmingham and $32,906 in Madison. The Birmingham 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