Med Lab Scientist Salary

Bloomington vs Kankakee: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Bloomington, IL and Kankakee, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bloomington, IL
$82,496
$39.66/hr
Kankakee, IL
$66,844
$32.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBloomington, ILKankakee, IL
Median Salary$82,496$66,844
Hourly Rate$39.66$32.14
Entry Level (P10)$61,153$41,450
25th Percentile$69,684$50,024
75th Percentile$110,303$86,001
Top Earner (P90)$113,886$104,635
Total Employed150820
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bloomington ($82,496) and Kankakee ($66,844) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.BloomingtonKankakeeMedian Salary$82,496$66,844Entry Level (P10)$61,153$41,450Top Earner (P90)$113,886$104,635US Median $68,734

Verdict

Bloomington, IL offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Kankakee.

The salary gap between Bloomington and Kankakee is $15,652 (23.42%). Bloomington's median is +20.02% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bloomington spans $52,733,Kankakee spans $63,185. Kankakee has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Bloomington
P10 (Entry)$61,153
P25$69,684
Median$82,496
P75$110,303
P90 (Top)$113,886
Kankakee
P10 (Entry)$41,450
P25$50,024
Median$66,844
P75$86,001
P90 (Top)$104,635

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bloomington ($88,196 effective) pays 27.19% more than Kankakee ($69,345 effective).

Bloomington
Nominal: $82,496
CoL Index: 93.537
Adjusted: $88,196
Kankakee
Nominal: $66,844
CoL Index: 96.394
Adjusted: $69,345

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bloomington if…

  • Higher median salary ($82,496/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($113,886)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $88,196)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Kankakee if…

  • Larger job market (820 employed)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Bloomington grew 75.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 34.5% growth in Kankakee over the same period.

Bloomington, IL

+75.6%

$45,590 (2019) → $80,062 (2025)

Kankakee, IL

+34.5%

$48,220 (2019) → $64,872 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Bloomington or Kankakee?

Bloomington has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $82,496/year, compared to Kankakee at $66,844/year — a difference of $15,652 (23.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bloomington and Kankakee?

Bloomington medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $39.66/hr while Kankakee hygienists earn $32.14/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bloomington to Kankakee as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bloomington and Kankakee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bloomington = $88,196, Kankakee = $69,345), job availability (150 vs 820 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Bloomington vs Kankakee?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $61,153 in Bloomington and $41,450 in Kankakee. The Bloomington 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