Med Lab Scientist Salary

Blacksburg vs Winchester: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Blacksburg, VA and Winchester, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Blacksburg, VA
$66,113
$31.79/hr
Winchester, VA
$66,582
$32.01/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBlacksburg, VAWinchester, VA
Median Salary$66,113$66,582
Hourly Rate$31.79$32.01
Entry Level (P10)$47,305$45,371
25th Percentile$58,368$53,071
75th Percentile$81,316$84,145
Top Earner (P90)$88,339$91,004
Total Employed80190
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Blacksburg ($66,113) and Winchester ($66,582) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.BlacksburgWinchesterMedian Salary$66,113$66,582Entry Level (P10)$47,305$45,371Top Earner (P90)$88,339$91,004US Median $68,734

Verdict

Winchester, VA offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Blacksburg.

The salary gap between Blacksburg and Winchester is $469 (0.71%). Winchester's median is -3.13% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Blacksburg spans $41,034,Winchester spans $45,633. Winchester has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Blacksburg
P10 (Entry)$47,305
P25$58,368
Median$66,113
P75$81,316
P90 (Top)$88,339
Winchester
P10 (Entry)$45,371
P25$53,071
Median$66,582
P75$84,145
P90 (Top)$91,004

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Blacksburg ($71,312 effective) pays 3.30% more than Winchester ($69,033 effective).

Blacksburg
Nominal: $66,113
CoL Index: 92.71
Adjusted: $71,312
Winchester
Nominal: $66,582
CoL Index: 96.45
Adjusted: $69,033

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Blacksburg if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,312)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Winchester if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,582/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($91,004)
  • Larger job market (190 employed)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Blacksburg grew 17.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.1% growth in Winchester over the same period.

Blacksburg, VA

+17.3%

$54,720 (2019) → $64,162 (2025)

Winchester, VA

+12.1%

$57,640 (2019) → $64,618 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Blacksburg or Winchester?

Winchester has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $66,582/year, compared to Blacksburg at $66,113/year — a difference of $469 (0.71%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Blacksburg and Winchester?

Blacksburg medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $31.79/hr while Winchester hygienists earn $32.01/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Blacksburg to Winchester as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Blacksburg and Winchester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Blacksburg = $71,312, Winchester = $69,033), job availability (80 vs 190 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Blacksburg vs Winchester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $47,305 in Blacksburg and $45,371 in Winchester. The Blacksburg 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