Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Birmingham, AL
$56,173
$27.01/hr
Phenix City, AL
$52,078
$25.04/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALPhenix City, AL
Median Salary$56,173$52,078
Hourly Rate$27.01$25.04
Entry Level (P10)$39,921$34,993
25th Percentile$46,234$41,133
75th Percentile$71,999$65,246
Top Earner (P90)$89,781$78,825
Total Employed2,7907
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($56,173) and Phenix City ($52,078) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.BirminghamPhenix CityMedian Salary$56,173$52,078Entry Level (P10)$39,921$34,993Top Earner (P90)$89,781$78,825US Median $68,734

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Birmingham and Phenix City is $4,095 (7.86%). 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,Phenix City spans $43,832. 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
Phenix City
P10 (Entry)$34,993
P25$41,133
Median$52,078
P75$65,246
P90 (Top)$78,825

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Birmingham ($61,295 effective) pays 3.46% more than Phenix City ($59,247 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $56,173
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $61,295
Phenix City
Nominal: $52,078
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $59,247

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 Phenix City 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 Phenix City over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+12.1%

$48,630 (2019) → $54,516 (2025)

Phenix City, AL

+0.7%

$50,167 (2024) → $50,542 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Birmingham has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $56,173/year, compared to Phenix City at $52,078/year — a difference of $4,095 (7.86%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Phenix City?

Birmingham medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $27.01/hr while Phenix City hygienists earn $25.04/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Phenix City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $61,295, Phenix City = $59,247), job availability (2,790 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $39,921 in Birmingham and $34,993 in Phenix City. The Birmingham 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