Med Lab Scientist Salary

Boston vs Lowell: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Boston, MA and Lowell, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$86,810
$41.73/hr
Lowell, MA
$87,050
$41.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MALowell, MA
Median Salary$86,810$87,050
Hourly Rate$41.73$41.85
Entry Level (P10)$52,329$55,516
25th Percentile$59,002$66,700
75th Percentile$110,249$111,424
Top Earner (P90)$117,152$134,928
Total Employed8,71029
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($86,810) and Lowell ($87,050) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.BostonLowellMedian Salary$86,810$87,050Entry Level (P10)$52,329$55,516Top Earner (P90)$117,152$134,928US Median $68,734

Verdict

Lowell, MA offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Boston.

The salary gap between Boston and Lowell is $240 (0.28%). Lowell's median is +26.65% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $64,823,Lowell spans $79,412. Lowell has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$52,329
P25$59,002
Median$86,810
P75$110,249
P90 (Top)$117,152
Lowell
P10 (Entry)$55,516
P25$66,700
Median$87,050
P75$111,424
P90 (Top)$134,928

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lowell ($80,230 effective) pays 0.06% more than Boston ($80,182 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $86,810
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $80,182
Lowell
Nominal: $87,050
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $80,230

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Larger job market (8,710 employed)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Lowell if…

  • Higher median salary ($87,050/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($134,928)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,230)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Boston grew 44.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -9.7% growth in Lowell over the same period.

Boston, MA

+44.0%

$58,520 (2019) → $84,249 (2025)

Lowell, MA

+-9.7%

$93,568 (2024) → $84,482 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Boston or Lowell?

Lowell has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $87,050/year, compared to Boston at $86,810/year — a difference of $240 (0.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Lowell?

Boston medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $41.73/hr while Lowell hygienists earn $41.85/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Lowell as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Lowell. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $80,182, Lowell = $80,230), job availability (8,710 vs 29 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Boston vs Lowell?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $52,329 in Boston and $55,516 in Lowell. The Lowell 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