Med Lab Scientist Salary

Boulder vs Loveland: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Boulder, CO and Loveland, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boulder, CO
$81,905
$39.37/hr
Loveland, CO
$67,896
$32.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoulder, COLoveland, CO
Median Salary$81,905$67,896
Hourly Rate$39.37$32.64
Entry Level (P10)$46,562$42,341
25th Percentile$55,856$51,173
75th Percentile$104,897$86,907
Top Earner (P90)$116,224$105,239
Total Employed38017
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boulder ($81,905) and Loveland ($67,896) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.BoulderLovelandMedian Salary$81,905$67,896Entry Level (P10)$46,562$42,341Top Earner (P90)$116,224$105,239US Median $68,734

Verdict

Boulder, CO offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Loveland.

The salary gap between Boulder and Loveland is $14,009 (20.63%). Boulder's median is +19.16% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boulder spans $69,662,Loveland spans $62,898. Boulder has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boulder
P10 (Entry)$46,562
P25$55,856
Median$81,905
P75$104,897
P90 (Top)$116,224
Loveland
P10 (Entry)$42,341
P25$51,173
Median$67,896
P75$86,907
P90 (Top)$105,239

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boulder ($77,855 effective) pays 20.40% more than Loveland ($64,663 effective).

Boulder
Nominal: $81,905
CoL Index: 105.202
Adjusted: $77,855
Loveland
Nominal: $67,896
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $64,663

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boulder if…

  • Higher median salary ($81,905/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($116,224)
  • Larger job market (380 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,855)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Loveland if…

  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Boulder grew 31.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -14.5% growth in Loveland over the same period.

Boulder, CO

+31.4%

$60,490 (2019) → $79,489 (2025)

Loveland, CO

+-14.5%

$77,109 (2024) → $65,893 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Boulder or Loveland?

Boulder has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $81,905/year, compared to Loveland at $67,896/year — a difference of $14,009 (20.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boulder and Loveland?

Boulder medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $39.37/hr while Loveland hygienists earn $32.64/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boulder to Loveland as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boulder and Loveland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boulder = $77,855, Loveland = $64,663), job availability (380 vs 17 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Boulder vs Loveland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $46,562 in Boulder and $42,341 in Loveland. The Boulder 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