Med Lab Scientist Salary

Branson vs Kansas City: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Branson, MO and Kansas City, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Branson, MO
$55,292
$26.58/hr
Kansas City, MO
$64,693
$31.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBranson, MOKansas City, MO
Median Salary$55,292$64,693
Hourly Rate$26.58$31.11
Entry Level (P10)$37,624$42,335
25th Percentile$43,841$50,876
75th Percentile$69,747$86,046
Top Earner (P90)$83,612$104,678
Total Employed42,990
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Branson ($55,292) and Kansas City ($64,693) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.BransonKansas CityMedian Salary$55,292$64,693Entry Level (P10)$37,624$42,335Top Earner (P90)$83,612$104,678US Median $68,734

Verdict

Kansas City, MO offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Branson.

The salary gap between Branson and Kansas City is $9,401 (17.00%). Kansas City's median is -5.88% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Branson spans $45,988,Kansas City spans $62,343. Kansas City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Branson
P10 (Entry)$37,624
P25$43,841
Median$55,292
P75$69,747
P90 (Top)$83,612
Kansas City
P10 (Entry)$42,335
P25$50,876
Median$64,693
P75$86,046
P90 (Top)$104,678

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kansas City ($69,906 effective) pays 13.28% more than Branson ($61,710 effective).

Branson
Nominal: $55,292
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $61,710
Kansas City
Nominal: $64,693
CoL Index: 92.543
Adjusted: $69,906

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Branson if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Kansas City if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,693/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($104,678)
  • Larger job market (2,990 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,906)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Branson grew 0.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 32.2% growth in Kansas City over the same period.

Branson, MO

+0.7%

$53,289 (2024) → $53,661 (2025)

Kansas City, MO

+32.2%

$47,480 (2019) → $62,784 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Branson or Kansas City?

Kansas City has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $64,693/year, compared to Branson at $55,292/year — a difference of $9,401 (17.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Branson and Kansas City?

Branson medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $26.58/hr while Kansas City hygienists earn $31.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Branson to Kansas City as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Branson and Kansas City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Branson = $61,710, Kansas City = $69,906), job availability (4 vs 2,990 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Branson vs Kansas City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $37,624 in Branson and $42,335 in Kansas City. The Kansas City 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