Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Boulder, CO
$81,905
$39.37/hr
Westminster, CO
$76,939
$36.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoulder, COWestminster, CO
Median Salary$81,905$76,939
Hourly Rate$39.37$36.99
Entry Level (P10)$46,562$49,096
25th Percentile$55,856$57,541
75th Percentile$104,897$98,482
Top Earner (P90)$116,224$119,255
Total Employed38019
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boulder ($81,905) and Westminster ($76,939) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.BoulderWestminsterMedian Salary$81,905$76,939Entry Level (P10)$46,562$49,096Top Earner (P90)$116,224$119,255US Median $68,734

Verdict

Boulder, CO offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Westminster.

The salary gap between Boulder and Westminster is $4,966 (6.45%). 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,Westminster spans $70,159. Westminster has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Boulder
P10 (Entry)$46,562
P25$55,856
Median$81,905
P75$104,897
P90 (Top)$116,224
Westminster
P10 (Entry)$49,096
P25$57,541
Median$76,939
P75$98,482
P90 (Top)$119,255

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boulder ($77,855 effective) pays 6.25% more than Westminster ($73,275 effective).

Boulder
Nominal: $81,905
CoL Index: 105.202
Adjusted: $77,855
Westminster
Nominal: $76,939
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $73,275

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)
  • Larger job market (380 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,855)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Westminster if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($119,255)
  • 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 -7.0% growth in Westminster over the same period.

Boulder, CO

+31.4%

$60,490 (2019) → $79,489 (2025)

Westminster, CO

+-7.0%

$80,247 (2024) → $74,669 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Boulder has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $81,905/year, compared to Westminster at $76,939/year — a difference of $4,966 (6.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boulder and Westminster?

Boulder medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $39.37/hr while Westminster hygienists earn $36.99/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boulder and Westminster. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boulder = $77,855, Westminster = $73,275), job availability (380 vs 19 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $46,562 in Boulder and $49,096 in Westminster. The Westminster 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